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Dog Eating Grass

Submitted by Michael Adams on June 1, 2010

While you take your dog out for a walk more often than once you must have realized that your dog stops by and starts chewing on the grass. This is very annoying in way as after some time they just vomit it all out. However this dog behavior of eating grass can be quite perplexing to many pet owners.

It must be said that eating grass is normal for dogs. There are two types of grass eating dogs some just nibble on it while others eat it quickly and barely chew the grass.

There could be many reasons why dog eats grass.

These could be due to dog upset stomach or a lack of adequate dietary fiber, but it could also be due to something simpler – some dogs may just have a craving for the taste of grass. The dogs chew on grass strands so as to wash out all the bile in his stomach which makes him feel ill. This bile is produced by the gall bladder and is excreted to the stomach. Dog vomiting bile and grass combo which makes them feel better. Another reason could be an upset stomach or any kind of discomfort in the stomach even from over eating. The nerve-ending in the stomachs are very sensitive and after they have eaten the grass, it helps stimulate or in a way irritate the stomach such that it triggers dog vomiting. Sometimes it could also be because they require fiber in their body. Many research shows that dogs foods so not contain sufficient fiber in them and hence they eat grass as an alternative. Dogs eat grass so that they could clean the bile in their stomach.

If you think your dog is eating too much of grass then you might try and include fresh vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, celery and lettuce which contain plenty of fiber. Fiber stays longer in your stomach thus irradiating the empty stomach problem. Also rather than just feeding them one meal or two meals a day have their meals broken down in small portions so that they do not have any acidity problem. As long as your dog is eating fresh grass there is no need to worry. Only if you’re dog eating grass is too often or excessive then it could be a problem as this could cause chronic gastrointestinal upset. It is always best to check on the grass your dog is eating, it should be fresh and not contain any kind of chemicals or pesticides.

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