Shadow has earned the nickname on occasion as the “black sheep of the family,” but should she really be grazing in the backyard? Is it healthy for dogs to eat grass from time to time?
Why does my dog eat grass? While we don’t know exactly why they do it, ingesting grass is not necessarily bad for dogs, assuming the grass is pesticide- and fertilizer-free. Some might do it simply out of boredom, but others do to settle gastrointestinal issues or to increase fiber in their diet (especially with pups on a grain-free diet). In our doggy daycare practice, the dogs with recurring GI issues tend to eat grass more frequently than those with healthy digestive systems. Some will ingest grass in a deliberate effort to vomit toxins or something they’ve swallowed that didn’t settle well. With that said, grass will cause regular vomiting in only about 25 percent of dogs. Further, research has shown that only 10 percent of dogs exhibit signs of discomfort prior to eating grass, indicating that many dogs simply crave additional fiber.
Increasing fiber in Snoopy’s diet can curb his interest in grass. Dogs love Chippin’ Plant-Based Spirulina Healthy Supplement & Dog Treats that can be given as a treat or used as a topper. Puppy Love loves this brand given that the products are crafted by veterinarian nutritionists, and the ingredients are few, all natural and sustainably sourced.
Dogs also go crazy (we can vouch!) for Dog Probiotic Chews for Gut Health with FOS Fiber and Pumpkin Seed Fiber! These have proven great for dogs with sensitive GI systems and can quickly improve gut health thereby clearing up diarrhea, the urge to eat grass and even bad breath!
Perfect Poop Digestion Support Supplement (a top seller on Amazon) actually contains grass—100% natural, sun-cured miscanthus grass—the ‘ultimate fiber for dogs.’ This four-in-one product has a prebiotic, probiotic, fiber and enzymes, which are all key in healing and maintaining your dog’s digestive system. Dogs love the cheddar cheese or the chicken flavor! Just mix the grass bits with their meal and enjoy the benefits of regular, solid…and well… “perfect poop.”
So, should you see your pup munching on grass, it could be for one of several reasons, or perhaps for no reason at all. What is certain, however, is that our pups deserve a healthy diet high in protein and fiber, and staying tuned in to their signals and responding with loving care shows that there’s ‘no love like puppy love!’
Comments