why dogs eat grass Archives

Why Dogs Eat Grass

by Amy Shojai | Sep 23, 2016 | Dog Training & Care

Magical-Dawg often enjoyed eating grass–did you ever wonder why dogs eat grass? Magic munched on the freshest shoots, particularly before he ate his breakfast. Of course, then he had to vomit (yuck!), so we tried to avoid allowing the behavior.

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I’m sharing this entry about why dogs eat grass, which is an excerpt from Dog Facts, chapter G. This chapter covers a lot of ground, and here’s the topic list:

Geriatric Dog, Giardiasis, Glaucoma, Grape/Raisin Toxicity, Grass (Eating), Grief, and Grooming.

I’ve broken the massive book into discounted treat-size alpha-chapter sections available ONLY to subscribers of my PETS PEEVES NEWSLETTER. Folks can choose which ones they most need. Each chapter will release every other week. Of course, you can still get the entire DOG FACTS book either in Kindle or 630+ pages of print.

WHY DOGS EAT GRASS

Dogs are omnivores, which means they can eat nearly anything, including vegetables or fruits. Wild canids like coyotes typically eat vegetable matter found in the stomach and intestines of prey animals, but may also eat roots, grasses and even fruit. Our dogs often beg for and enjoy snacks of raw vegetables like lettuce, green beans and carrots.

While some dogs eat weird stuff and get into trouble, it’s not unusual for dogs to eat grass.

Is Grass Good For Dogs?

Most pet dogs occasionally eat grass, which may be used as a natural emetic to stimulate vomiting when the dog feels unwell. However, grass eating does not always result in vomiting; some dogs may simply relish the flavor or texture. Some speculation exists that grass grazing may provide trace elements of vitamins.

Indoor dogs may indulge their urge to graze by nibbling houseplants which, depending on the plant, may be dangerous. Occasional grass eating isn’t a cause for concern. However, if grazing becomes a habit, and especially if grass eating prompts vomiting more than two days in a row, your dog should be examined by a veterinarian to rule out a health problem.

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How about your dogs? Do they eat grass? Does it make ’em “whoops” or do they just enjoy grazing?

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book giveaways and appearances related to my September Day pet-centric THRILLERS WITH BITE!

Amy Shojai, CABC is a certified cat & dog behavior consultant, a consultant to the pet industry, and the award-winning author of 35+ pet-centric books and Thrillers with Bite! Oh, and she loves bling!

Why Does My Cat Eat Grass?

by Amy Shojai | Oct 14, 2011 | Cat Behavior & Care

Of course, be sure to keep your outside cats safe! Image Copr Elise Feinstein via Flickr

Recently a fun and interesting discussion on my Facebook page generated an Ask Amy video about why dogs eat dirt so it’s not that much of a stretch to ask why does my cat eat grass? Yep, Seren does it too. I suspect many kitties relish the taste of fresh greens. You’ve already seen this Ask Amy about why cats love catnip. The veggie munchies is something different, but what? And why?

Why Does My Cat Eat Grass?

I mean, we consider dogs omnivores like humans–able and even eager to eat a variety of foods and derive nourishment. Heck, the Magical-Dawg would munch used Kleenex and socks if we let him (no, those are NOT in the doggy foods list!). So it makes a weird kind of sense that dogs sometimes crave grass since they eat green stuff as a matter of course.

But kitties are obligate carnivores. They MUST eat meat to derive the correct nutrients to live and thrive. So what’s the deal with grazing? Most times after munching, the kitty hurls–oh goody, more stains on the white carpet. That’s because since they are carnivores, kitty digestion isn’t suited to breaking down grass so it gets purged. The tickle-going-down probably adds to that effect.

A Natural Emetic

Does the cat know eating grass will make him hurl? Actually, there have been some studies that show cats DO quickly associate eating (X-FOOD) with feeling (good-bad-sick-whatever). A cat that eats a favorite meal and then gets diarrhea or painful constipation (even though it’s from parasites) may blame the food and thereafter snub a previous favorite treat. Huh. So maybe cats DO know grass will make them hurl–and they use it to purge?

Grass also contains some nutrients the cat’s body CAN use–like folic acid. Oh, and grass or other veggies can help push nondigestibles on through the body, sort of a kitty colonic. Hey, better the cat goes with a DIY, don’t you think? As a former vet tech I’ve been on that (ahem) other end of cleaning out a plugged up kitty and it ain’t fun for anyone!

Do your cats eat grass? Do you provide gazing ops? Here’s a bit more in this latest Ask Amy.