EATING GRASS?

                    I N T R O D U C T I O N 

"...I'm Francesca le Bon Bon, and am on my way to
explore... usually to do things my Daddy doesn't
want me to do, but he has to understand it's
normal for me to do certain things...for example
I like nibbling on grass...look at all the GRASS here!..."

WHAT IS NORMAL FOR YOUR DOG?

It can be puzzling, when our dogs display behaviors that seem weird!  Just to name a few, there are dogs who have the habit of  chasing their own tails to humping your arm or eating grass.  To many humans, it may  seem cute, funny, laughable, and weird.  Interestingly, many such  strange habits are normal, and many suggest hidden medical problems.

Together, lets look into what we consider  "odd" dog  behaviors and find-out what is normal for our dog, and what is not.

EATING GRASS

"...ummm munch munch..."

Your lawn or sprigs of another grassy area, may  look like a buffet meal to a dog, and will linger until they get their " fill."  Canines are omnivores, meaning they enjoy vegetation in addition to meat.  So eating grass, sticks and even dirt is normal...if done in moderation.  If however, your dog binges on grass,  it will be a sign of a stomach upset, therefore will  eat grass  to encourage vomiting to  remove  the discomfort of gas, constipation, or diarrhea.  If the latter occurs, a re-evaluation of your dog's diet should be made.

                    
             PROVIDE A HIGH FIBER DIET

1.  Soft cooked rice mixed with shredded boiled

     chicken.

2.  Cooked boiled potato chunks, mixed with 

     shredded boiled chicken.

3.  Once you discover your dog's digestive

     behavior improved, return to your dry meal

     mixture.  Most commercially prepared dog

     foods have plenty of fiber.  

        a.  ALWAYS  include exercise

        b.  ALWAYS  include discipline, care, and
             love.

"yup...I'm smart all right..."

Canines are smart, they usually know when they

need to improve their digestion, and many do this by "eating grass!" Mainly to encourage vomiting, to relief the discomfortof stomach upset. In other words, its their instinctive manner to fulfill a nutritional need.  Allow your dog to provide this self care with the following observations:

          1.  Re-evaluate their diet if excessive

               grass eating is being experienced.

          2.  Observe the grass area.

               Avoid areas treated with pesticides,

               or other toxins.

          3.  Be aware if eating grass on a regular       

               basis causes weight lost, then can be 

               problematic.  (evaluate if diet is good,

               if exercise is regular, and receiving

               mental stimulation).

Therefore, dogs that eat grass, are attempting to "empty" their stomach to make themselves 

feel better.  Grass has digestive enzymes, hence an eatable benefit.  In moderation, it is a normal behavior for your dog.

"...arrrf, I found mine!.."

"...leave me alone, I'm focusing and choosing the tallest blade of grass...  They should have named me Blade..."

On the other side of your dog's mysterious behavior of  eating grass,  is that they just love

the taste of grass!  They tend to become selective, and choose the taller blades of grass.

They purposefully are adding some roughage, and using it as an antidote for spoiled food.

So......let your dog enjoy grass that has NOT been treated, and know that it is just a normal part of being a dog.  When you think about it, may be a better choice than some things your dog can be eating.....use your imagination

"...Understand us CANINES  now...?"