Grass

Looking for a simple subject to write a quick post on I came up with "why dogs eat grass".  Well, apparently nobody seems to agree on why.  So, in summation of what I found and my experience here's what you get today:

Dogs aren't as carnivorous as cats ~ Well, I know they are omnivores... Ours are fed veggies and a bit of fruit all the time.  I still think this is a weird statement to make.  I've seen many dogs grab a mouthful for no apparent reason on a regular basis with no problems. Maybe they need fiber (?).  Can't be nutrition as grass has zero nutritional value and dogs don't digest it because they lack the necessary enzymes to do so.  Your little friend might just like it.  Here are some things you need to be mindful of if he is a regular grass grazer:

• Fertilizers and pesticides ~ These can be toxic to your buddy so be careful where you allow them to eat grass especially when away from home.
• Parasites ~ All those nasty creatures that can cause harm to our furry friends live there.  Make sure you're up to date on their vaccinations and are regularly administering heart worm preventative (I prefer one that treats for many of the common parasites, worms, as well as ticks and fleas).

Knowing they need to eat grass for an upset tummy is apparently beyond a canine's intelligence according to some.  I don't agree with this because my dogs are smarter than some people I know, and sometimes me.  

When a dog is getting really antsy and appears as if they're trying to swallow or tickle their throat (best I can describe it) they seem to appreciate being let out to grab a few mouthfuls of grass which ends up coming right back up within moments. Ever felt nauseous and when done you feel oh so much better?  Well, the dogs do too.

I think it is very natural to munch on some grass and/or gobble some up to induce vomiting. IF your dog does this several times in a short amount of time and is lethargic or doesn't settle down PLEASE get them to the vet.  

Something very important to remember:

Dogs can be very sick before they ever show signs of pain or discomfort.