Why do dogs eat grass? This is something which is frequently asked …
Why do dogs eat grass? This is something which is frequently asked, clients who have dogs which are sick have often mentioned this to me in the consulting room. However otherwise healthy dogs will do this as well, one of my own dogs did it throughout her life. When you look into the matter in depth you will find that in the literature many canine experts disagree. The short answer is that we just do not know.
However some of the theories are as follows :
1. Wild dogs wolves and foxes etc. will eat all of an animal which they catch while hunting. Obviously when they eating a rabbit or other herbivore they then consume all the grass etc. in the intestines of these animals. This may be natural, domestic dogs lack this in commercial dog foods and so they eat grass to make up this component in their diet.
2. Another theory is that dogs eat grass to settle their stomach if they have stomach pains. It may aid digestion.
3. Conversely dogs are said to eat grass to make themselves sick if they have some form of indigestion, it certainly seems to work!
4. Some people say it is a habit that dogs get into a bit like people chewing gum, they like to have something in their mouths.
5. I myself am inclined to the view that they do it simply because they like it, they just like the taste. This may well be the most reasonable answer.
Scott Nimmo BVMS MRCVS
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