Ever caught your dog feasting on the lawn or in the park and wondered why? Let’s unravel this mystery!
The act of dogs consuming grass is a widespread phenomenon. Surveys indicate that grass consumption is observed by up to 80% of dog owners.
Historically, dogs have been known to consume grass, and this behavior is not linked to selective breeding.
Dogs and Their Grass-Eating Habits: Not What You’d Expect It’s a common belief that dogs resort to eating grass when they experience stomach discomfort, assuming that grass induces vomiting. However, this might not be the case; a study involving 12 dogs that consumed grass daily reported minimal instances of vomiting, and those that did were post-meal.
Interestingly, if a dog suffers from a mild gastrointestinal issue due to something it consumed, it’s less likely to eat grass compared to when it’s on a regular diet, as pointed out by Science Alert.
There are other theories suggesting that dogs eat grass seeking a laxative effect or for its fiber content.
However, most of these theories lack substantial scientific backing. For instance, in the study involving the 12 dogs, all were dewormed and had no prior digestive problems, yet they all consumed grass (709 times).
The Real Reason Your Dog Consumes Grass! The study’s primary finding was that dogs were more likely to consume grass when they hadn’t had their daily meal. In essence, the hungrier the dog, the higher the likelihood of it eating grass.
The reason dogs eat grass could be as simple as this: they enjoy it. Dogs can get bored, and munching on grass provides them with an activity.
Your canine companion might find pleasure in eating grass. The act of breaking grass can be gratifying. The texture and flavor of grass offer a different experience from their usual diet. You might even observe that they favor grass from specific seasons; perhaps the fresh spring grass is a treat for them.
Are There Reasons to Prevent Your Dog from Eating Grass? Grass is occasionally treated with herbicides. There’s a possibility that the grass in the park has been treated. Some local councils use a harmless dye to indicate where herbicide has been sprayed on grass, which is quite useful.
Lawn chemicals are often detected in lawns up to 48 hours post-application and have been found in the urine of dogs with access to such treated grass.
Studies have suggested a potential link between bladder cancer in dogs and exposure to herbicides.
Interestingly, dogs can serve as indicators; the same chemical exposures are found in the urine of dogs and humans sharing the same environment.
What Should You Do If You Plan to Use Herbicides? If you plan to use herbicides on grass, ensure to remove the dog, toys, food, and water bowls from the area prior to application.
Ensure the pesticide has thoroughly dried before allowing the dog access to the area; for this, refer to the appropriate drying period on the package. This is particularly crucial for granular pesticides or fertilizers that seep into the soil, as they may take up to 24 hours or more.
On a side note, many leaves, flowers, and fruits from common plants can be toxic to dogs. These include plants like oleander and calla lilies; even oregano and bay leaves can induce vomiting and diarrhea in dogs.
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