On one of our regular hikes there is
a large boulder beside the trail with grass and other plants
growing on its top. Whenever the dogs reach this boulder they
scamper up the backside of the rock and begin to chow down.
So, why do dogs eat grass and is it bad
for them?
Like so many other things in dogdom,
since they don't talk, there is a difference of opinion. What
seems obvious, however, is that dogs have survived through the
centuries as scavengers and are omnivores that will eat anything.
The answer to why dogs eat grass may be as simple as the soft,
tender new chutes of some plants taste good.
You may also have seen dogs who throw
up grass after eating it. This has led some people to conclude
that dogs eat grass to help with an upset stomach. The key seems
to be how the dog eats the grass. Well-chewed grass seems not
to trigger vomiting like quickly gulped whole grass does. In
fact, after grazing at the boulder-top buffet, I've never seen
a dog vomit afterwards.
So if you see your dog stopping often
to nibble a quick wayside snack on a hike it is probably nothing
to worry about. On the other hand if your dog is frequently vomiting
unchewed grass you may want to consult your veterinarian about
her diet.
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