Why Do Dogs Eat Grass?
Your beloved canine companion clearly isn’t a cow, so you might be confused when you see him eating grass. You might even be worried. Is he hungry? Bored? Sick? Will eating grass hurt him?
First, rest assured that you’re not alone in your concern, especially if your dog is eating grass and vomiting.
Pica is the technical term for the disorder characterized by eating things that aren’t food.
Sometimes pica indicates that your dog has some type of nutritional
deficiency, though it is often simply a sign of boredom, especially when
practiced by puppies and younger dogs.
Dogs eating grass is actually quite common (it has
been observed in wild dogs, too, and may be completely natural) and
this form of pica does not usually cause too many problems. In fact,
most veterinarians consider it a normal dog behavior
.
One small-scale study of 49 dog owners whose dogs had regular access to
grass and other plants found that 79% of the dogs had eaten plants at
some time. Another survey about plant-eating dogs found that grass was
the most commonly eaten plant.
.
One small-scale study of 49 dog owners whose dogs had regular access to
grass and other plants found that 79% of the dogs had eaten plants at
some time. Another survey about plant-eating dogs found that grass was
the most commonly eaten plant.Why Is My Dog Eating Grass?
There are a variety of reasons your dog might be grazing on your lawn.
Some people propose that dogs might turn to eating
grass when they don’t feel well as a way to make themselves vomit, and
then feel better. Others dispute this idea, on the basis that dogs are
not proven to be smart enough to decide to treat an upset stomach by
eating grass.
Evidence suggests that most dogs that eat grass
aren’t unwell beforehand, or at least they don’t seem so. In fact, fewer
than 10% of dogs seem to be sick before eating grass, according
to their owners. And grass-eating doesn’t usually lead to throwing up
-- less than 25% of dogs that eat grass vomit regularly after grazing.
to their owners. And grass-eating doesn’t usually lead to throwing up
-- less than 25% of dogs that eat grass vomit regularly after grazing.
Other suggested reasons why your dog might be eating grass include improving digestion, treating intestinal worms,
or fulfilling some unmet nutritional need, including the need for
fiber. One published study reports on a miniature poodle that ate grass
and then vomited every day for seven years. Three days after putting the
dog on a high-fiber diet, the owner reported that the dog stopped
eating grass entirely. And, of course, there is also the possibility
that your dog simply likes the way grass tastes or feels.
ListenWhy Do Dogs Eat Grass?
Your beloved canine companion clearly isn’t a cow, so you might be confused when you see him eating grass. You might even be worried. Is he hungry? Bored? Sick? Will eating grass hurt him?
First, rest assured that you’re not alone in your concern, especially if your dog is eating grass and vomiting.
Pica is the technical term for the disorder characterized by eating things that aren’t food.
Sometimes pica indicates that your dog has some type of nutritional
deficiency, though it is often simply a sign of boredom, especially when
practiced by puppies and younger dogs.
Dogs eating grass is actually quite common (it has
been observed in wild dogs, too, and may be completely natural) and
this form of pica does not usually cause too many problems. In fact,
most veterinarians consider it a normal dog behavior.
One small-scale study of 49 dog owners whose dogs had regular access to
grass and other plants found that 79% of the dogs had eaten plants at
some time. Another survey about plant-eating dogs found that grass was
the most commonly eaten plant.
.
One small-scale study of 49 dog owners whose dogs had regular access to
grass and other plants found that 79% of the dogs had eaten plants at
some time. Another survey about plant-eating dogs found that grass was
the most commonly eaten plant.Why Is My Dog Eating Grass?
There are a variety of reasons your dog might be grazing on your lawn.
Some people propose that dogs might turn to eating
grass when they don’t feel well as a way to make themselves vomit, and
then feel better. Others dispute this idea, on the basis that dogs are
not proven to be smart enough to decide to treat an upset stomach by
eating grass.
Evidence suggests that most dogs that eat grass
aren’t unwell beforehand, or at least they don’t seem so. In fact, fewer
than 10% of dogs seem to be sick before eating grass, according
to their owners. And grass-eating doesn’t usually lead to throwing up
-- less than 25% of dogs that eat grass vomit regularly after grazing.
to their owners. And grass-eating doesn’t usually lead to throwing up
-- less than 25% of dogs that eat grass vomit regularly after grazing.
Other suggested reasons why your dog might be eating grass include improving digestion, treating intestinal worms,
or fulfilling some unmet nutritional need, including the need for
fiber. One published study reports on a miniature poodle that ate grass
and then vomited every day for seven years. Three days after putting the
dog on a high-fiber diet, the owner reported that the dog stopped
eating grass entirely. And, of course, there is also the possibility
that your dog simply likes the way grass tastes or feels.
A: Ah... This is the $64,000 question. Grass eating among our canine friends has a number of theories as to origin. I get this question many times a year, and as yet cannot come up with a meaningful single reason. I can say that I've seen grass chewers on occasion get a good nasal cleanse, as the thick blade of grass occasionally gets on the wrong track and scurries out an unsuspecting nasal passage. It's highly unlikely the intent is to cleanse that particular orifice, however!
Dogs do not have the means to digest grass, as they lack the enzymes needed to break down the fibres. Thus, there is little nutritional value in it for them. One reason for eating grass may be due to a feeling of nausea. It is possible that dogs learn this is a temporary solution for stomach irritation.
On occasion, I have seen dogs lick at the air, often showing swallowing behaviour, then rush out to the great outdoors to seek out a thick patch of the green stuff and furiously chomp and chomp until the urge abates. Then promptly throw up. On following these dogs endoscopically, they often have an inflammatory condition in their stomachs or redness around the lower esophagus, which can indicate gastric reflux or inflammatory bowel disease. The situation can be troubling for the owner as the dog is often quite restless before getting out to graze. If your dog looks as if he or she is irritated and extends the neck and begins repeated swallowing motions, it may be time to visit your veterinarian to check out what might be happening. These conditions are treatable with either homeopathic medical intervention or conventional therapies. Diet may also play a role in the condition. A thorough review is in order.
Some dogs can also develop a form of stereotypy behaviour (obsessive-compulsive disorder) and become fixated on grass chewing, but this is relatively rare.
Then there are the select few who search diligently for that particular luscious, thick, juicy blade and then gently savour it. Only the finest blades for me, thank you, and only of particular types. These dogs seem to enjoy their habit and do not suffer any of the previously-reported repercussions, such as vomiting. Grass does not seem to hurt them as long as it doesn't contain herbicides or other toxins.
For those with a scientific bent, an additional theory related to the grasseating behaviour of our four legged companions has to do with their evolutionary past. For ancestral dogs to have survived successfully, they would have needed good hunting abilities in order to feed and nourish their young and survive as a pack. Grass eating may have evolved to help conceal their scent from their prey in the same way that rolling in foul offal is sometimes thought to.
Another common theory is that dogs will eat indigestible matter if they are excessively hungry or if their nutrition is poor, so this must always be a consideration. If you are preparing homemade food, be sure to consult a professional to make sure the nutritional balance is correct.
Dogs are more omnivorous than cats, and many would also like to eat far more than they're fed. In the absence of a midday meal some may simply enjoy the process of eating. One can never rule out that for some, a nice patch of tasty clean crabgrass may simply give the momentary impression of an afternoon snack in the sun! ■
Dr. Michael Goldberg,DVM, DCHom, Hudson Place Veterinary Clinic, (604)266-2731, Vancouver, mikepetvet@telus.net or www.hudsonplacevetclinic.com.
Dr. Goldberg practises holistic veterinary medicine, specializing in classical homeopathy. Chiropractic and acupuncture are also available through his clinic. He lives in Vancouver with his wife, Ronee, three daughters, a fourteen-year-old Border Collie, a four-month old Great Pyrenees, and three cats.
- See more at: http://moderndogmagazine.com/articles/vet-s-take-why-dogs-eat-grass/297#sthash.HWe1NflJ.dpuf
Q: Why does my dog eat grass?
A: Ah... This is the $64,000 question. Grass eating among our canine friends has a number of theories as to origin. I get this question many times a year, and as yet cannot come up with a meaningful single reason. I can say that I've seen grass chewers on occasion get a good nasal cleanse, as the thick blade of grass occasionally gets on the wrong track and scurries out an unsuspecting nasal passage. It's highly unlikely the intent is to cleanse that particular orifice, however!
Dogs do not have the means to digest grass, as they lack the enzymes needed to break down the fibres. Thus, there is little nutritional value in it for them. One reason for eating grass may be due to a feeling of nausea. It is possible that dogs learn this is a temporary solution for stomach irritation.
On occasion, I have seen dogs lick at the air, often showing swallowing behaviour, then rush out to the great outdoors to seek out a thick patch of the green stuff and furiously chomp and chomp until the urge abates. Then promptly throw up. On following these dogs endoscopically, they often have an inflammatory condition in their stomachs or redness around the lower esophagus, which can indicate gastric reflux or inflammatory bowel disease. The situation can be troubling for the owner as the dog is often quite restless before getting out to graze. If your dog looks as if he or she is irritated and extends the neck and begins repeated swallowing motions, it may be time to visit your veterinarian to check out what might be happening. These conditions are treatable with either homeopathic medical intervention or conventional therapies. Diet may also play a role in the condition. A thorough review is in order.
Some dogs can also develop a form of stereotypy behaviour (obsessive-compulsive disorder) and become fixated on grass chewing, but this is relatively rare.
Then there are the select few who search diligently for that particular luscious, thick, juicy blade and then gently savour it. Only the finest blades for me, thank you, and only of particular types. These dogs seem to enjoy their habit and do not suffer any of the previously-reported repercussions, such as vomiting. Grass does not seem to hurt them as long as it doesn't contain herbicides or other toxins.
For those with a scientific bent, an additional theory related to the grasseating behaviour of our four legged companions has to do with their evolutionary past. For ancestral dogs to have survived successfully, they would have needed good hunting abilities in order to feed and nourish their young and survive as a pack. Grass eating may have evolved to help conceal their scent from their prey in the same way that rolling in foul offal is sometimes thought to.
Another common theory is that dogs will eat indigestible matter if they are excessively hungry or if their nutrition is poor, so this must always be a consideration. If you are preparing homemade food, be sure to consult a professional to make sure the nutritional balance is correct.
Dogs are more omnivorous than cats, and many would also like to eat far more than they're fed. In the absence of a midday meal some may simply enjoy the process of eating. One can never rule out that for some, a nice patch of tasty clean crabgrass may simply give the momentary impression of an afternoon snack in the sun! ■
Dr. Michael Goldberg,DVM, DCHom, Hudson Place Veterinary Clinic, (604)266-2731, Vancouver, mikepetvet@telus.net or www.hudsonplacevetclinic.com.
Dr. Goldberg practises holistic veterinary medicine, specializing in classical homeopathy. Chiropractic and acupuncture are also available through his clinic. He lives in Vancouver with his wife, Ronee, three daughters, a fourteen-year-old Border Collie, a four-month old Great Pyrenees, and three cats.
- See more at: http://moderndogmagazine.com/articles/vet-s-take-why-dogs-eat-grass/297#sthash.HWe1NflJ.dpuf
A: Ah... This is the $64,000 question. Grass eating among our canine friends has a number of theories as to origin. I get this question many times a year, and as yet cannot come up with a meaningful single reason. I can say that I've seen grass chewers on occasion get a good nasal cleanse, as the thick blade of grass occasionally gets on the wrong track and scurries out an unsuspecting nasal passage. It's highly unlikely the intent is to cleanse that particular orifice, however!
Dogs do not have the means to digest grass, as they lack the enzymes needed to break down the fibres. Thus, there is little nutritional value in it for them. One reason for eating grass may be due to a feeling of nausea. It is possible that dogs learn this is a temporary solution for stomach irritation.
On occasion, I have seen dogs lick at the air, often showing swallowing behaviour, then rush out to the great outdoors to seek out a thick patch of the green stuff and furiously chomp and chomp until the urge abates. Then promptly throw up. On following these dogs endoscopically, they often have an inflammatory condition in their stomachs or redness around the lower esophagus, which can indicate gastric reflux or inflammatory bowel disease. The situation can be troubling for the owner as the dog is often quite restless before getting out to graze. If your dog looks as if he or she is irritated and extends the neck and begins repeated swallowing motions, it may be time to visit your veterinarian to check out what might be happening. These conditions are treatable with either homeopathic medical intervention or conventional therapies. Diet may also play a role in the condition. A thorough review is in order.
Some dogs can also develop a form of stereotypy behaviour (obsessive-compulsive disorder) and become fixated on grass chewing, but this is relatively rare.
Then there are the select few who search diligently for that particular luscious, thick, juicy blade and then gently savour it. Only the finest blades for me, thank you, and only of particular types. These dogs seem to enjoy their habit and do not suffer any of the previously-reported repercussions, such as vomiting. Grass does not seem to hurt them as long as it doesn't contain herbicides or other toxins.
For those with a scientific bent, an additional theory related to the grasseating behaviour of our four legged companions has to do with their evolutionary past. For ancestral dogs to have survived successfully, they would have needed good hunting abilities in order to feed and nourish their young and survive as a pack. Grass eating may have evolved to help conceal their scent from their prey in the same way that rolling in foul offal is sometimes thought to.
Another common theory is that dogs will eat indigestible matter if they are excessively hungry or if their nutrition is poor, so this must always be a consideration. If you are preparing homemade food, be sure to consult a professional to make sure the nutritional balance is correct.
Dogs are more omnivorous than cats, and many would also like to eat far more than they're fed. In the absence of a midday meal some may simply enjoy the process of eating. One can never rule out that for some, a nice patch of tasty clean crabgrass may simply give the momentary impression of an afternoon snack in the sun! ■
Dr. Michael Goldberg,DVM, DCHom, Hudson Place Veterinary Clinic, (604)266-2731, Vancouver, mikepetvet@telus.net or www.hudsonplacevetclinic.com.
Dr. Goldberg practises holistic veterinary medicine, specializing in classical homeopathy. Chiropractic and acupuncture are also available through his clinic. He lives in Vancouver with his wife, Ronee, three daughters, a fourteen-year-old Border Collie, a four-month old Great Pyrenees, and three cats.
- See more at: http://moderndogmagazine.com/articles/vet-s-take-why-dogs-eat-grass/297#sthash.HWe1NflJ.dpuf
Q: Why does my dog eat grass?
A: Ah... This is the $64,000 question. Grass eating among our canine friends has a number of theories as to origin. I get this question many times a year, and as yet cannot come up with a meaningful single reason. I can say that I've seen grass chewers on occasion get a good nasal cleanse, as the thick blade of grass occasionally gets on the wrong track and scurries out an unsuspecting nasal passage. It's highly unlikely the intent is to cleanse that particular orifice, however!
Dogs do not have the means to digest grass, as they lack the enzymes needed to break down the fibres. Thus, there is little nutritional value in it for them. One reason for eating grass may be due to a feeling of nausea. It is possible that dogs learn this is a temporary solution for stomach irritation.
On occasion, I have seen dogs lick at the air, often showing swallowing behaviour, then rush out to the great outdoors to seek out a thick patch of the green stuff and furiously chomp and chomp until the urge abates. Then promptly throw up. On following these dogs endoscopically, they often have an inflammatory condition in their stomachs or redness around the lower esophagus, which can indicate gastric reflux or inflammatory bowel disease. The situation can be troubling for the owner as the dog is often quite restless before getting out to graze. If your dog looks as if he or she is irritated and extends the neck and begins repeated swallowing motions, it may be time to visit your veterinarian to check out what might be happening. These conditions are treatable with either homeopathic medical intervention or conventional therapies. Diet may also play a role in the condition. A thorough review is in order.
Some dogs can also develop a form of stereotypy behaviour (obsessive-compulsive disorder) and become fixated on grass chewing, but this is relatively rare.
Then there are the select few who search diligently for that particular luscious, thick, juicy blade and then gently savour it. Only the finest blades for me, thank you, and only of particular types. These dogs seem to enjoy their habit and do not suffer any of the previously-reported repercussions, such as vomiting. Grass does not seem to hurt them as long as it doesn't contain herbicides or other toxins.
For those with a scientific bent, an additional theory related to the grasseating behaviour of our four legged companions has to do with their evolutionary past. For ancestral dogs to have survived successfully, they would have needed good hunting abilities in order to feed and nourish their young and survive as a pack. Grass eating may have evolved to help conceal their scent from their prey in the same way that rolling in foul offal is sometimes thought to.
Another common theory is that dogs will eat indigestible matter if they are excessively hungry or if their nutrition is poor, so this must always be a consideration. If you are preparing homemade food, be sure to consult a professional to make sure the nutritional balance is correct.
Dogs are more omnivorous than cats, and many would also like to eat far more than they're fed. In the absence of a midday meal some may simply enjoy the process of eating. One can never rule out that for some, a nice patch of tasty clean crabgrass may simply give the momentary impression of an afternoon snack in the sun! ■
Dr. Michael Goldberg,DVM, DCHom, Hudson Place Veterinary Clinic, (604)266-2731, Vancouver, mikepetvet@telus.net or www.hudsonplacevetclinic.com.
Dr. Goldberg practises holistic veterinary medicine, specializing in classical homeopathy. Chiropractic and acupuncture are also available through his clinic. He lives in Vancouver with his wife, Ronee, three daughters, a fourteen-year-old Border Collie, a four-month old Great Pyrenees, and three cats.
- See more at: http://moderndogmagazine.com/articles/vet-s-take-why-dogs-eat-grass/297#sthash.HWe1NflJ.dpuf
A: Ah... This is the $64,000 question. Grass eating among our canine friends has a number of theories as to origin. I get this question many times a year, and as yet cannot come up with a meaningful single reason. I can say that I've seen grass chewers on occasion get a good nasal cleanse, as the thick blade of grass occasionally gets on the wrong track and scurries out an unsuspecting nasal passage. It's highly unlikely the intent is to cleanse that particular orifice, however!
Dogs do not have the means to digest grass, as they lack the enzymes needed to break down the fibres. Thus, there is little nutritional value in it for them. One reason for eating grass may be due to a feeling of nausea. It is possible that dogs learn this is a temporary solution for stomach irritation.
On occasion, I have seen dogs lick at the air, often showing swallowing behaviour, then rush out to the great outdoors to seek out a thick patch of the green stuff and furiously chomp and chomp until the urge abates. Then promptly throw up. On following these dogs endoscopically, they often have an inflammatory condition in their stomachs or redness around the lower esophagus, which can indicate gastric reflux or inflammatory bowel disease. The situation can be troubling for the owner as the dog is often quite restless before getting out to graze. If your dog looks as if he or she is irritated and extends the neck and begins repeated swallowing motions, it may be time to visit your veterinarian to check out what might be happening. These conditions are treatable with either homeopathic medical intervention or conventional therapies. Diet may also play a role in the condition. A thorough review is in order.
Some dogs can also develop a form of stereotypy behaviour (obsessive-compulsive disorder) and become fixated on grass chewing, but this is relatively rare.
Then there are the select few who search diligently for that particular luscious, thick, juicy blade and then gently savour it. Only the finest blades for me, thank you, and only of particular types. These dogs seem to enjoy their habit and do not suffer any of the previously-reported repercussions, such as vomiting. Grass does not seem to hurt them as long as it doesn't contain herbicides or other toxins.
For those with a scientific bent, an additional theory related to the grasseating behaviour of our four legged companions has to do with their evolutionary past. For ancestral dogs to have survived successfully, they would have needed good hunting abilities in order to feed and nourish their young and survive as a pack. Grass eating may have evolved to help conceal their scent from their prey in the same way that rolling in foul offal is sometimes thought to.
Another common theory is that dogs will eat indigestible matter if they are excessively hungry or if their nutrition is poor, so this must always be a consideration. If you are preparing homemade food, be sure to consult a professional to make sure the nutritional balance is correct.
Dogs are more omnivorous than cats, and many would also like to eat far more than they're fed. In the absence of a midday meal some may simply enjoy the process of eating. One can never rule out that for some, a nice patch of tasty clean crabgrass may simply give the momentary impression of an afternoon snack in the sun! ■
Dr. Michael Goldberg,DVM, DCHom, Hudson Place Veterinary Clinic, (604)266-2731, Vancouver, mikepetvet@telus.net or www.hudsonplacevetclinic.com.
Dr. Goldberg practises holistic veterinary medicine, specializing in classical homeopathy. Chiropractic and acupuncture are also available through his clinic. He lives in Vancouver with his wife, Ronee, three daughters, a fourteen-year-old Border Collie, a four-month old Great Pyrenees, and three cats.
- See more at: http://moderndogmagazine.com/articles/vet-s-take-why-dogs-eat-grass/297#sthash.HWe1NflJ.dpuf
Q: Why does my dog eat grass?
A: Ah... This is the $64,000 question. Grass eating among our canine friends has a number of theories as to origin. I get this question many times a year, and as yet cannot come up with a meaningful single reason. I can say that I've seen grass chewers on occasion get a good nasal cleanse, as the thick blade of grass occasionally gets on the wrong track and scurries out an unsuspecting nasal passage. It's highly unlikely the intent is to cleanse that particular orifice, however!
Dogs do not have the means to digest grass, as they lack the enzymes needed to break down the fibres. Thus, there is little nutritional value in it for them. One reason for eating grass may be due to a feeling of nausea. It is possible that dogs learn this is a temporary solution for stomach irritation.
On occasion, I have seen dogs lick at the air, often showing swallowing behaviour, then rush out to the great outdoors to seek out a thick patch of the green stuff and furiously chomp and chomp until the urge abates. Then promptly throw up. On following these dogs endoscopically, they often have an inflammatory condition in their stomachs or redness around the lower esophagus, which can indicate gastric reflux or inflammatory bowel disease. The situation can be troubling for the owner as the dog is often quite restless before getting out to graze. If your dog looks as if he or she is irritated and extends the neck and begins repeated swallowing motions, it may be time to visit your veterinarian to check out what might be happening. These conditions are treatable with either homeopathic medical intervention or conventional therapies. Diet may also play a role in the condition. A thorough review is in order.
Some dogs can also develop a form of stereotypy behaviour (obsessive-compulsive disorder) and become fixated on grass chewing, but this is relatively rare.
Then there are the select few who search diligently for that particular luscious, thick, juicy blade and then gently savour it. Only the finest blades for me, thank you, and only of particular types. These dogs seem to enjoy their habit and do not suffer any of the previously-reported repercussions, such as vomiting. Grass does not seem to hurt them as long as it doesn't contain herbicides or other toxins.
For those with a scientific bent, an additional theory related to the grasseating behaviour of our four legged companions has to do with their evolutionary past. For ancestral dogs to have survived successfully, they would have needed good hunting abilities in order to feed and nourish their young and survive as a pack. Grass eating may have evolved to help conceal their scent from their prey in the same way that rolling in foul offal is sometimes thought to.
Another common theory is that dogs will eat indigestible matter if they are excessively hungry or if their nutrition is poor, so this must always be a consideration. If you are preparing homemade food, be sure to consult a professional to make sure the nutritional balance is correct.
Dogs are more omnivorous than cats, and many would also like to eat far more than they're fed. In the absence of a midday meal some may simply enjoy the process of eating. One can never rule out that for some, a nice patch of tasty clean crabgrass may simply give the momentary impression of an afternoon snack in the sun! ■
Dr. Michael Goldberg,DVM, DCHom, Hudson Place Veterinary Clinic, (604)266-2731, Vancouver, mikepetvet@telus.net or www.hudsonplacevetclinic.com.
Dr. Goldberg practises holistic veterinary medicine, specializing in classical homeopathy. Chiropractic and acupuncture are also available through his clinic. He lives in Vancouver with his wife, Ronee, three daughters, a fourteen-year-old Border Collie, a four-month old Great Pyrenees, and three cats.
- See more at: http://moderndogmagazine.com/articles/vet-s-take-why-dogs-eat-grass/297#sthash.HWe1NflJ.dpuf
A: Ah... This is the $64,000 question. Grass eating among our canine friends has a number of theories as to origin. I get this question many times a year, and as yet cannot come up with a meaningful single reason. I can say that I've seen grass chewers on occasion get a good nasal cleanse, as the thick blade of grass occasionally gets on the wrong track and scurries out an unsuspecting nasal passage. It's highly unlikely the intent is to cleanse that particular orifice, however!
Dogs do not have the means to digest grass, as they lack the enzymes needed to break down the fibres. Thus, there is little nutritional value in it for them. One reason for eating grass may be due to a feeling of nausea. It is possible that dogs learn this is a temporary solution for stomach irritation.
On occasion, I have seen dogs lick at the air, often showing swallowing behaviour, then rush out to the great outdoors to seek out a thick patch of the green stuff and furiously chomp and chomp until the urge abates. Then promptly throw up. On following these dogs endoscopically, they often have an inflammatory condition in their stomachs or redness around the lower esophagus, which can indicate gastric reflux or inflammatory bowel disease. The situation can be troubling for the owner as the dog is often quite restless before getting out to graze. If your dog looks as if he or she is irritated and extends the neck and begins repeated swallowing motions, it may be time to visit your veterinarian to check out what might be happening. These conditions are treatable with either homeopathic medical intervention or conventional therapies. Diet may also play a role in the condition. A thorough review is in order.
Some dogs can also develop a form of stereotypy behaviour (obsessive-compulsive disorder) and become fixated on grass chewing, but this is relatively rare.
Then there are the select few who search diligently for that particular luscious, thick, juicy blade and then gently savour it. Only the finest blades for me, thank you, and only of particular types. These dogs seem to enjoy their habit and do not suffer any of the previously-reported repercussions, such as vomiting. Grass does not seem to hurt them as long as it doesn't contain herbicides or other toxins.
For those with a scientific bent, an additional theory related to the grasseating behaviour of our four legged companions has to do with their evolutionary past. For ancestral dogs to have survived successfully, they would have needed good hunting abilities in order to feed and nourish their young and survive as a pack. Grass eating may have evolved to help conceal their scent from their prey in the same way that rolling in foul offal is sometimes thought to.
Another common theory is that dogs will eat indigestible matter if they are excessively hungry or if their nutrition is poor, so this must always be a consideration. If you are preparing homemade food, be sure to consult a professional to make sure the nutritional balance is correct.
Dogs are more omnivorous than cats, and many would also like to eat far more than they're fed. In the absence of a midday meal some may simply enjoy the process of eating. One can never rule out that for some, a nice patch of tasty clean crabgrass may simply give the momentary impression of an afternoon snack in the sun! ■
Dr. Michael Goldberg,DVM, DCHom, Hudson Place Veterinary Clinic, (604)266-2731, Vancouver, mikepetvet@telus.net or www.hudsonplacevetclinic.com.
Dr. Goldberg practises holistic veterinary medicine, specializing in classical homeopathy. Chiropractic and acupuncture are also available through his clinic. He lives in Vancouver with his wife, Ronee, three daughters, a fourteen-year-old Border Collie, a four-month old Great Pyrenees, and three cats.
- See more at: http://moderndogmagazine.com/articles/vet-s-take-why-dogs-eat-grass/297#sthash.HWe1NflJ.dpuf
Q: Why does my dog eat grass?
A: Ah... This is the $64,000 question. Grass eating among our canine friends has a number of theories as to origin. I get this question many times a year, and as yet cannot come up with a meaningful single reason. I can say that I've seen grass chewers on occasion get a good nasal cleanse, as the thick blade of grass occasionally gets on the wrong track and scurries out an unsuspecting nasal passage. It's highly unlikely the intent is to cleanse that particular orifice, however!
Dogs do not have the means to digest grass, as they lack the enzymes needed to break down the fibres. Thus, there is little nutritional value in it for them. One reason for eating grass may be due to a feeling of nausea. It is possible that dogs learn this is a temporary solution for stomach irritation.
On occasion, I have seen dogs lick at the air, often showing swallowing behaviour, then rush out to the great outdoors to seek out a thick patch of the green stuff and furiously chomp and chomp until the urge abates. Then promptly throw up. On following these dogs endoscopically, they often have an inflammatory condition in their stomachs or redness around the lower esophagus, which can indicate gastric reflux or inflammatory bowel disease. The situation can be troubling for the owner as the dog is often quite restless before getting out to graze. If your dog looks as if he or she is irritated and extends the neck and begins repeated swallowing motions, it may be time to visit your veterinarian to check out what might be happening. These conditions are treatable with either homeopathic medical intervention or conventional therapies. Diet may also play a role in the condition. A thorough review is in order.
Some dogs can also develop a form of stereotypy behaviour (obsessive-compulsive disorder) and become fixated on grass chewing, but this is relatively rare.
Then there are the select few who search diligently for that particular luscious, thick, juicy blade and then gently savour it. Only the finest blades for me, thank you, and only of particular types. These dogs seem to enjoy their habit and do not suffer any of the previously-reported repercussions, such as vomiting. Grass does not seem to hurt them as long as it doesn't contain herbicides or other toxins.
For those with a scientific bent, an additional theory related to the grasseating behaviour of our four legged companions has to do with their evolutionary past. For ancestral dogs to have survived successfully, they would have needed good hunting abilities in order to feed and nourish their young and survive as a pack. Grass eating may have evolved to help conceal their scent from their prey in the same way that rolling in foul offal is sometimes thought to.
Another common theory is that dogs will eat indigestible matter if they are excessively hungry or if their nutrition is poor, so this must always be a consideration. If you are preparing homemade food, be sure to consult a professional to make sure the nutritional balance is correct.
Dogs are more omnivorous than cats, and many would also like to eat far more than they're fed. In the absence of a midday meal some may simply enjoy the process of eating. One can never rule out that for some, a nice patch of tasty clean crabgrass may simply give the momentary impression of an afternoon snack in the sun! ■
Dr. Michael Goldberg,DVM, DCHom, Hudson Place Veterinary Clinic, (604)266-2731, Vancouver, mikepetvet@telus.net or www.hudsonplacevetclinic.com.
Dr. Goldberg practises holistic veterinary medicine, specializing in classical homeopathy. Chiropractic and acupuncture are also available through his clinic. He lives in Vancouver with his wife, Ronee, three daughters, a fourteen-year-old Border Collie, a four-month old Great Pyrenees, and three cats.
- See more at: http://moderndogmagazine.com/articles/vet-s-take-why-dogs-eat-grass/297#sthash.HWe1NflJ.dpuf
A: Ah... This is the $64,000 question. Grass eating among our canine friends has a number of theories as to origin. I get this question many times a year, and as yet cannot come up with a meaningful single reason. I can say that I've seen grass chewers on occasion get a good nasal cleanse, as the thick blade of grass occasionally gets on the wrong track and scurries out an unsuspecting nasal passage. It's highly unlikely the intent is to cleanse that particular orifice, however!
Dogs do not have the means to digest grass, as they lack the enzymes needed to break down the fibres. Thus, there is little nutritional value in it for them. One reason for eating grass may be due to a feeling of nausea. It is possible that dogs learn this is a temporary solution for stomach irritation.
On occasion, I have seen dogs lick at the air, often showing swallowing behaviour, then rush out to the great outdoors to seek out a thick patch of the green stuff and furiously chomp and chomp until the urge abates. Then promptly throw up. On following these dogs endoscopically, they often have an inflammatory condition in their stomachs or redness around the lower esophagus, which can indicate gastric reflux or inflammatory bowel disease. The situation can be troubling for the owner as the dog is often quite restless before getting out to graze. If your dog looks as if he or she is irritated and extends the neck and begins repeated swallowing motions, it may be time to visit your veterinarian to check out what might be happening. These conditions are treatable with either homeopathic medical intervention or conventional therapies. Diet may also play a role in the condition. A thorough review is in order.
Some dogs can also develop a form of stereotypy behaviour (obsessive-compulsive disorder) and become fixated on grass chewing, but this is relatively rare.
Then there are the select few who search diligently for that particular luscious, thick, juicy blade and then gently savour it. Only the finest blades for me, thank you, and only of particular types. These dogs seem to enjoy their habit and do not suffer any of the previously-reported repercussions, such as vomiting. Grass does not seem to hurt them as long as it doesn't contain herbicides or other toxins.
For those with a scientific bent, an additional theory related to the grasseating behaviour of our four legged companions has to do with their evolutionary past. For ancestral dogs to have survived successfully, they would have needed good hunting abilities in order to feed and nourish their young and survive as a pack. Grass eating may have evolved to help conceal their scent from their prey in the same way that rolling in foul offal is sometimes thought to.
Another common theory is that dogs will eat indigestible matter if they are excessively hungry or if their nutrition is poor, so this must always be a consideration. If you are preparing homemade food, be sure to consult a professional to make sure the nutritional balance is correct.
Dogs are more omnivorous than cats, and many would also like to eat far more than they're fed. In the absence of a midday meal some may simply enjoy the process of eating. One can never rule out that for some, a nice patch of tasty clean crabgrass may simply give the momentary impression of an afternoon snack in the sun! ■
Dr. Michael Goldberg,DVM, DCHom, Hudson Place Veterinary Clinic, (604)266-2731, Vancouver, mikepetvet@telus.net or www.hudsonplacevetclinic.com.
Dr. Goldberg practises holistic veterinary medicine, specializing in classical homeopathy. Chiropractic and acupuncture are also available through his clinic. He lives in Vancouver with his wife, Ronee, three daughters, a fourteen-year-old Border Collie, a four-month old Great Pyrenees, and three cats.
- See more at: http://moderndogmagazine.com/articles/vet-s-take-why-dogs-eat-grass/297#sthash.HWe1NflJ.dpuf
Q: Why does my dog eat grass?
A: Ah... This is the $64,000 question. Grass eating among our canine friends has a number of theories as to origin. I get this question many times a year, and as yet cannot come up with a meaningful single reason. I can say that I've seen grass chewers on occasion get a good nasal cleanse, as the thick blade of grass occasionally gets on the wrong track and scurries out an unsuspecting nasal passage. It's highly unlikely the intent is to cleanse that particular orifice, however!
Dogs do not have the means to digest grass, as they lack the enzymes needed to break down the fibres. Thus, there is little nutritional value in it for them. One reason for eating grass may be due to a feeling of nausea. It is possible that dogs learn this is a temporary solution for stomach irritation.
On occasion, I have seen dogs lick at the air, often showing swallowing behaviour, then rush out to the great outdoors to seek out a thick patch of the green stuff and furiously chomp and chomp until the urge abates. Then promptly throw up. On following these dogs endoscopically, they often have an inflammatory condition in their stomachs or redness around the lower esophagus, which can indicate gastric reflux or inflammatory bowel disease. The situation can be troubling for the owner as the dog is often quite restless before getting out to graze. If your dog looks as if he or she is irritated and extends the neck and begins repeated swallowing motions, it may be time to visit your veterinarian to check out what might be happening. These conditions are treatable with either homeopathic medical intervention or conventional therapies. Diet may also play a role in the condition. A thorough review is in order.
Some dogs can also develop a form of stereotypy behaviour (obsessive-compulsive disorder) and become fixated on grass chewing, but this is relatively rare.
Then there are the select few who search diligently for that particular luscious, thick, juicy blade and then gently savour it. Only the finest blades for me, thank you, and only of particular types. These dogs seem to enjoy their habit and do not suffer any of the previously-reported repercussions, such as vomiting. Grass does not seem to hurt them as long as it doesn't contain herbicides or other toxins.
For those with a scientific bent, an additional theory related to the grasseating behaviour of our four legged companions has to do with their evolutionary past. For ancestral dogs to have survived successfully, they would have needed good hunting abilities in order to feed and nourish their young and survive as a pack. Grass eating may have evolved to help conceal their scent from their prey in the same way that rolling in foul offal is sometimes thought to.
Another common theory is that dogs will eat indigestible matter if they are excessively hungry or if their nutrition is poor, so this must always be a consideration. If you are preparing homemade food, be sure to consult a professional to make sure the nutritional balance is correct.
Dogs are more omnivorous than cats, and many would also like to eat far more than they're fed. In the absence of a midday meal some may simply enjoy the process of eating. One can never rule out that for some, a nice patch of tasty clean crabgrass may simply give the momentary impression of an afternoon snack in the sun! ■
Dr. Michael Goldberg,DVM, DCHom, Hudson Place Veterinary Clinic, (604)266-2731, Vancouver, mikepetvet@telus.net or www.hudsonplacevetclinic.com.
Dr. Goldberg practises holistic veterinary medicine, specializing in classical homeopathy. Chiropractic and acupuncture are also available through his clinic. He lives in Vancouver with his wife, Ronee, three daughters, a fourteen-year-old Border Collie, a four-month old Great Pyrenees, and three cats.
- See more at: http://moderndogmagazine.com/articles/vet-s-take-why-dogs-eat-grass/297#sthash.HWe1NflJ.dpuf
A: Ah... This is the $64,000 question. Grass eating among our canine friends has a number of theories as to origin. I get this question many times a year, and as yet cannot come up with a meaningful single reason. I can say that I've seen grass chewers on occasion get a good nasal cleanse, as the thick blade of grass occasionally gets on the wrong track and scurries out an unsuspecting nasal passage. It's highly unlikely the intent is to cleanse that particular orifice, however!
Dogs do not have the means to digest grass, as they lack the enzymes needed to break down the fibres. Thus, there is little nutritional value in it for them. One reason for eating grass may be due to a feeling of nausea. It is possible that dogs learn this is a temporary solution for stomach irritation.
On occasion, I have seen dogs lick at the air, often showing swallowing behaviour, then rush out to the great outdoors to seek out a thick patch of the green stuff and furiously chomp and chomp until the urge abates. Then promptly throw up. On following these dogs endoscopically, they often have an inflammatory condition in their stomachs or redness around the lower esophagus, which can indicate gastric reflux or inflammatory bowel disease. The situation can be troubling for the owner as the dog is often quite restless before getting out to graze. If your dog looks as if he or she is irritated and extends the neck and begins repeated swallowing motions, it may be time to visit your veterinarian to check out what might be happening. These conditions are treatable with either homeopathic medical intervention or conventional therapies. Diet may also play a role in the condition. A thorough review is in order.
Some dogs can also develop a form of stereotypy behaviour (obsessive-compulsive disorder) and become fixated on grass chewing, but this is relatively rare.
Then there are the select few who search diligently for that particular luscious, thick, juicy blade and then gently savour it. Only the finest blades for me, thank you, and only of particular types. These dogs seem to enjoy their habit and do not suffer any of the previously-reported repercussions, such as vomiting. Grass does not seem to hurt them as long as it doesn't contain herbicides or other toxins.
For those with a scientific bent, an additional theory related to the grasseating behaviour of our four legged companions has to do with their evolutionary past. For ancestral dogs to have survived successfully, they would have needed good hunting abilities in order to feed and nourish their young and survive as a pack. Grass eating may have evolved to help conceal their scent from their prey in the same way that rolling in foul offal is sometimes thought to.
Another common theory is that dogs will eat indigestible matter if they are excessively hungry or if their nutrition is poor, so this must always be a consideration. If you are preparing homemade food, be sure to consult a professional to make sure the nutritional balance is correct.
Dogs are more omnivorous than cats, and many would also like to eat far more than they're fed. In the absence of a midday meal some may simply enjoy the process of eating. One can never rule out that for some, a nice patch of tasty clean crabgrass may simply give the momentary impression of an afternoon snack in the sun! ■
Dr. Michael Goldberg,DVM, DCHom, Hudson Place Veterinary Clinic, (604)266-2731, Vancouver, mikepetvet@telus.net or www.hudsonplacevetclinic.com.
Dr. Goldberg practises holistic veterinary medicine, specializing in classical homeopathy. Chiropractic and acupuncture are also available through his clinic. He lives in Vancouver with his wife, Ronee, three daughters, a fourteen-year-old Border Collie, a four-month old Great Pyrenees, and three cats.
- See more at: http://moderndogmagazine.com/articles/vet-s-take-why-dogs-eat-grass/297#sthash.HWe1NflJ.dpuf
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