How to get my dog ​​to stop eating grass

My dog ​​cuts grass like a cow. He eats it with gusto whenever he finds it, to the point that my friends have started jokingly referring to it as ‘The Ruminant’. This habit of his doesn’t bother me at all as it doesn’t seem to have any negative effect on him.

Unless your dog’s digestion is unwelcomely upset by his habit of eating grass, it’s not really a problem. Dogs have been eating grass since the beginning of time (or at least, of the species) with little ill effect other than the odd bout of vomiting, and really, this is one of those things that seems to bother owners the most. . than their dogs; most dogs will simply swallow the vomit again and go about their day without flinching.

But WHY do they eat grass… that is the question. Growing up, our parents led us to believe that meant it was going to rain…and/or they had upset stomachs. Another thought theory refers to the fact that dogs are not actually carnivores. They are omnivores, which literally means “eat anything.”

This theory states that today’s dog eats grass in a deliberate attempt to supplement its diet with nutrients that are missing from its daily meals. The main crux, drive and essence of this argument centers around the idea that dogs, as omnivorous animals, are eating too much meat and need to balance this out with a nice tangy salad to go with our steak.

Another popular theory is that dogs use the grass as a kind of natural emetic: that since a nauseated dog lacks the phalangeal structure necessary for good finger-down-throat movement, it will resort to bounty. of nature as an alternative. It’s true that weed sometimes makes dogs vomit: those tickling stalks can irritate the stomach lining, and on a few occasions I’ve seen dogs throw up a piece of something that turned out to be indigestible, and along with the offending item. , there was also a lot of weed in the vomit… Interesting!!

All very interesting theories, but there is no truth to back them up. Eating grass isn’t really a cause for concern: it’s a lifelong habit with many dogs, and if yours decides it’s no longer in his best interest, he’ll simply stop eating it himself.

Worry about recently treated lawns, or anywhere nasty substances like pesticides, snail bait, and rat poison may be present, as most garden chemicals are highly toxic to dogs. Ideally, you should still keep an eye on him if he is around such substances, but herbivores are at higher risk than most, as they are more likely to ingest plant matter that has been sprayed with herbicides and other toxic chemicals.

In addition to this, it is also better if you stay away from those piles of dry grass that are lying on your lawn after it has been recently mowed. It shouldn’t be a problem if the grass is moved by a lawnmower; But if it’s run through a gas machine, the weed will be contaminated with gasoline and grease fumes, which at best will taste horrible and at worst can make you quite sick.

If you want, you can try slightly varying his diet. Unlike humans, dogs don’t need a highly varied diet to keep them “interested” in food; they are creatures of routine, and diet is no exception to this rule. However, since one of the theories that tries to explain why dogs eat grass centers on a lack of nutritional variety, you can try introducing various tasty vegetables into their food: most dogs enjoy tomatoes, carrots ( steamed or raw) and chopped apples. . Be sure to stay away from grapes, raisins, and onions, as they are toxic to dogs.

The general consensus from experts seems to be that eating grass, while a somewhat puzzling hobby for us humans, is just “one of those things” as far as your dog is concerned. He won’t do you any harm, and you can be sure that if he’s eating it, he’s enjoying it, so there really isn’t much to say to deprive him of that simple pleasure.

Clear your mind of other canine concerns.