Dogs are inherently carnivorous creatures with an insatiable love for meat. So, it often leaves pet parents scratching their heads when they notice their dogs grazing on grass. Don’t be alarmed. Eating grass is a relatively normal behavior for dogs, and the majority of the time it is nothing to worry about.
Just for Fun
The first thing to realize is that your dog may simply be grazing because they like to. There might be no ulterior motivation or reason behind your dog’s behavior. Similar to how you may find yourself pulling up grass with your hands while sitting in a field, dogs may graze when they are bored, or because they find some sort of satisfaction from it whether it be from the taste or simply the stimulation. This sort of grass eating is very common and will result in no sort of ill side effects.
Soothing an Upset Stomach
Another reason why your dog might be eating grass is that it is an instinctive behavior. Throughout natural history, canines in the wild were not picky eaters, and would often eat anything to survive, including meat that has gone rancid or other toxic or semi toxic food items. Although dogs’ stomachs contain strong acids that can break down many foods that us humans could never consume, it is still natural for dogs to have stomach aches. It is commonly thought that dogs have evolved to learn that by eating grass, they can deliberately induce vomiting to ease an upset stomach. So, your dog may be instinctually eating grass if they feel that they have eaten something that is making them feel ill.
A Need for Dietary Fiber
According to recent studies, grass eating behavior may also be driven by the microbes in your dog’s gut that thrive on the dietary fiber found in grass. A healthy gut microbe population is essential for the mental and physical wellbeing of your dog. Raw vegetation, like grass, is rich in a variety of dietary fibers that are important for gut health. Proper gut health means better digestion, better nutrient absorption, and a happier dog. Unfortunately, dry foods often contain purified forms of fiber, which studies suggest are not as effective at supporting the microbiome within the gut as dietary fibers from vegetables are. This is why your dog may be attempting to replenish dietary fiber levels by eating grass.
You can make sure your dog is consuming adequate amounts of dietary fiber by switching to a high-quality raw food diet from Acabonac Pet. Our recipes are created by expert pet nutritionists to guarantee your dogs are getting what they need from their food to thrive. Acabonac Pet food is made of over 65% meat, but also consists of a nutritious raw fruit and vegetable mix that contains all the dietary fiber needed for a fully supported gut microbiome. Our natural raw ingredients include sweet potato, broccoli, spinach, carrots, zucchini, and apples. In addition to dietary fiber, Acabonac pet food contains a blend of added vitamins and minerals as well as supplemented prebiotics and Omega-3 fatty acids that help reduce inflammation and further support gut health.
Remember, don’t be alarmed by your dog eating grass. It may be a sign that a change in diet is called for, but even if dogs are getting an adequate intake of dietary fiber, they may still continue eating up grass at the park because it is an instinctual behavior, or even just because they like to!
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