Why do Dogs Eat Grass

Dogs, man's best friends, have somehow always been associated with those large meaty bones. So it does come as a surprise to many of us when we see them eating stuff other than those nice big bones.

Actually, now that I think about it, it's not really our fault. From the time we were toddlers, we have been subjected to a bunch of stereotyped canines, thanks to those legendary Tom and Jerry cartoons. Good old Spike would do very little other than sleep, occasionally bash up Tom with that baseball bat, or lie in his kennel chomping away at those juicy bones. Naturally, after watching those endless re-runs, one would tend to believe that a large meaty bone is all that a dog eats, or even cares about. Alas, nothing could be further from the truth. Dogs are omnivorous animals, and have always been that way. Do you find that hard to digest? (pun intended). Well, it's true and there's none better than Scooby Doo to prove this fact. Although he may be a fictional dog belonging to the cartoon world, Scooby Doo's eating habits aren't all that different from those of our real-life dogs belonging to our living world. Dogs are known to eat all kinds of food ranging from meat, eggs, bones, marrow, right up to plants, vegetables, and even grass!

Why do Dogs Eat Grass

Dogs eat a variety of flora including raw vegetables, cooked vegetables, leafy vegetables, herbs and the occasional blades of grass. Out of this long list, the grass-eating part has forever baffled dog owners and, in general, all dog lovers. Somehow, watching dogs indulge in a bit of 'grazing' is not something that, according to them, they can come to terms with. Veterinarians agree that one of the most common questions that they are frequently asked are, "Why do dogs eat grass?" or "Is it normal for dogs to eat grass?". The plain truth is that it is absolutely normal for dogs to eat a bit of grass once in a while and there are certain reasons why they do so.

Reasons for Dogs Eating Grass

• Proper Digestion: This is one of the most common reasons for dogs eating bits of grass from time to time. It is a scientifically accepted fact that not only dogs but most omnivorous animals benefit from eating grass and similar herbs because they lead to the release of certain stomach enzymes which aid the digestion process. This is the same reason why, in zoos and wildlife parks, even carnivorous animals like lions and tigers are given a vegetable diet once a week.
• Nutritional Value: Sometimes, if a dog is not getting enough essential nutrients through the home-provided dog food, he may look at other food resources to satisfy his nutritional requirements. In such cases, dogs tend to eat grass and herbs as they contain a good number of nutrients and minerals.
• Overcoming Sickness: According to this theory, if a dog is sick or is suffering from an upset stomach, he will eat a lot of grass very very fast in an effort to throw up. By doing this, he manages to get the sickness-causing germs out of his system; it is a part of his self-healing activity. Even when they are healthy and normal, dogs eat grass, especially lemon grass, to cleanse their systems of toxic wastes and other undigested food material. Often, the speed at which a dog eats grass is a good indication of his health. Dogs who are seen eating a few blades of grass at a leisurely pace are normal and healthy, whereas those looking to gobble it down in a hurry are unwell, and are trying to throw up for the above-mentioned reasons.

So if you happen to be a dog owner who provides his dog with the best of training, care and food, and you still see your dog eating grass on your lawn, do not worry. He is doing so for his own good health.