You may have noticed that your pooch will stop and grab a munch of something green, generally grass while walking on a leash or playing in the yard . While most veterinarians consider this a normal behavior, it can be concerning for most owners.
It’s Known As PICA.
Whenever a dog eats anything that isn’t food, it’s characterized as “pica,” a word borrowed from Latin meaning “false appetite” or “strange craving.” And simply because your pooch can’t articulate exactly why he or she is eating grass, veterinarians have come up with a number of speculations as to the cause.
Veterinarians Speculate As To Root Cause
First your pet may have eaten something that doesn’t agree with their digestion, causing them pretty much the same distress as you and I experience with an upset stomach. Many dogs will eat grass in order to make themselves vomit up the offending contents of their stomach.
There have been cases were dogs have taken to eating grass on a regular basis and then vomiting, but you can relax as there is no known cases of bulimia in the dog world. Which brings us to our second possible cause – one owner of a poodle who regularly ate grass and vomited noticed that after years of the behavior, the animal suddenly stopped when the owner added more fiber to the animals diet. So the animal may have been trying to tell the owner that it has to vomit up what it can’t poop out.
Some vets think on the other hand that the animal may simply be bored and lacks exercise and activity. If the owner suddenly expresses concern to the dog, the animal may interpret that as “attention” causing it to repeat the behavior to get more attention and round in a circle we go.
Lastly, some speculate that the dog may have acquired a taste for grass, much the way some people acquire a taste for warm Coke. You may say there’s no accounting for taste, but your pet would probably disagree.
Can Eating Grass Be Harmful?
Eating grass is generally not harmful, but there are many circumstances where the innocent munch can turn into a problem. Many plants and grasses in Nature are toxic. It is the plants defense against all of the would-be herbivores and omnivores. Also, some lawns fertilizers can cause quite a bit of havoc in the dog’s digestive system. So watch carefully what your dog is eating.
If you are concerned that your pooch has gotten into something bad, the ASPCA on its website features a Animal Poison Control Center that lists all of the bad stuff by name, with a picture, if it is toxic and how to remedy it. Interested? Go to: ASPCA.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control.
Vomiting is a sure sign your dog is in distress. And if you’re concerned and still have your doubts, our recommendation will always be to see your vet first, ask questions and speculate later.
How Can I Help My Dog?
Here you may have to experiment a little.
- You can start by changing your dog’s diet to a brand that features a high fiber content.
- Add more activity to your dog’s day. A brisk walk or a game of tug-of-war or simply a belly rub may do the trick.
- Change the area where they play or poop as there may be offending plants or toxins there.
- Not all breeds need the same care and attention. There are great books out there on the needs of each breed. It is well worth the few dollars these books cost to be an informed dog owner.
- Lastly, consult your local veterinarian on a regular basis and keep up with there shots.
The time you take to understand and care for your pooch will reward you with many happy days for you and for your pet. Love after all seems to have a reflexive nature. So what I’m trying to say, if you give love to your pet, they will give it right back to you. Wishing you and your pets health and happiness.