WHY YOUR DOG EATS GRASS

IF YOU SEE YOUR DOG EATING GRASS...

Don't be alarmed if you see your dog eating grass. Grass isn't bad for canines and the fact that they are eating grass is not an indication that they are ill. 

Sometimes I think I am living with a herd of cattle, instead of a pack of dogs! Here's the proof!

Tasha, Abby, Jordie, Stevie and Zoey on a grass coffee break

SO, WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF EATING GRASS?

Dogs do like to have greens in their diet…grass contains nutrients that are beneficial to a dogs health. If you do not provide fresh greens in you dogs daily diet he will likely go looking for greens on his own. Even though my dogs get a diet rich in fresh, nutrient rich soluble fibres (from fresh fruit and veggies) they still love to chew fresh grass on a daily basis in the summer and the dried brown grasses in the fall and winter. 

Robbie's found his own stash of sweet grass

There is also an enzyme in grass that is beneficial to a dog's digestive system. Every so often dogs eat grass to help them regurgitate something that is irritating their digestive tract or just not sitting well in their stomach.

On occasion you may see your dog bring up yellow foamy bile. This does not mean that your dog is ill. However if your dog continues to throw up bile multiple times (more than a few times) over the span of a day or several days it can be cause for concern. If this occurs contact your dog's practitioner.

Fibre and amino acids present in grass help to stimulate the digestive system and aid blood flow. 

Just as antioxidants are beneficial to humans - so to for dogs. For example, grass is a source of chlorophyll and vitamin E (both are antioxidants). Antioxidants help to prevent heart disease, strokes and cancer, they also aid the health of the immune system.

Grass also contains niacin and other B group vitamins, which aid the metabolism, stimulate the nervous system, and help maintain healthy fur and skin. 

Sarah's found a good patch of grass too!

And, by the way - size does not matter - grass is as popular with my really small dogs, like Carmen my Chihuahua and Jacob my 4 pound Pomeranian as it is for the big guys!

When I am outside doing chores, the dogs will often munch grass - especially the longer blades - so kind of them to remind me that I need to get the grass trimmer out.

When the dogs are off-leash on the trails they have favorite patches of long grasses that they all partake of. In the winter - the tall dry meadow grasses are a favorite.

Given the opportunity, my dogs also love to munch on my bunnies' timothy and dry sweet grasses.

When it comes to your dog eating grass, the only thing to be concerned about is to make sure your canine never eats grass that has been treated with herbicides and pesticides.

Additional Assistance

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Article and graphics by Karen Rosenfeld