There's probably no dog that doesn't eat some grass from time to time. In most cases this is not a bad thing. Nevertheless, the supposedly unnatural behaviour unsettles many dog owners.
Why dogs eat grass and whether you should worry about it is explained below.
If your dog eats grass, that's no reason to worry. Even though many dog owners do not know this, it is a completely natural behaviour that can also be observed in wolves.
You should therefore not prevent your dog from giving in to his instinct and eating grass.
There are several reasons why a dog eats grass. However, there is no clear scientific evidence to date why the reasons listed below are mainly observational.
Among other things, it is believed that the fibre contained in the grass serves to stimulate the dog's digestion and that micronutrients contained in the grass help to compensate for any nutrient deficiency.
Apart from the reasons mentioned above, it is also possible that your dog eats grass because it tastes good and, as already mentioned, it is simply part of his natural behaviour.
Although the eating of grass is in principle harmless for dogs, there are some situations in which you should prevent your four-legged friend nevertheless.
For example, if you live on a busy road, you should not let your dog eat grass that grows on the curb. Because this can be loaded by car exhaust fumes with pollutants, which can make your quadruped sick in the long run.
The same applies also in the direct proximity of fields, since there often pesticides are used, which can spread under circumstances on surrounding meadows.
Also make sure that your dog does not eat excessively sharp-edged grass, as this can lead to cuts in the mouth and oesophagus.
As long as you follow these rules and the grass does not over-eat your dog, there is normally no danger and you do not have to do anything about it.
It may well happen that feeding on grass in dogs becomes a real compulsion. Some four-legged friends even consume such large quantities that they reduce the intake of their food.
If this is the case, we recommend that you have your dog examined by a veterinarian. He may be suffering from a serious illness that needs urgent treatment. This is especially true if your dog is in faeces or vomit blood and has other symptoms such as fever or vomiting.
Because dogs cannot digest grass properly, there is also a risk of life-threatening bowel obstruction if they digest large amounts of grass. If you notice that your dog suffers from constipation, it is therefore advisable to consult a vet as soon as possible.
If your dog regularly eats larger amounts of grass, it may be useful to put the four-legged friend's diet to the test. It is possible that the current food does not provide the animal with sufficient nutrients or leads to intolerances and digestive problems.
To counteract this, we recommend that you use a high-quality and easily digestible dog food. In the Bellfor range you will find various types of wet and dry food for dogs for this purpose.
Our products contain only natural ingredients and are therefore ideally suited to ensure a species-appropriate diet and optimal nutrition for your dog. Bellfor's special nutrition concept offers a suitable solution for all ages and breeds.
If you want to prevent your dog from eating grass, it may be advisable to take a suitable dietary supplement.
With Shiimun Gastro you are exactly right for this purpose. Because the natural preparation based on shiitake provides your four-legged friend with numerous valuable nutrients that promote his digestion, reduce existing complaints and thus can also counteract the eating of grass.
As long as your dog only eats some grass from time to time, this is generally no cause for concern. In this case, simply make sure that your four-legged friend does not eat any grass contaminated with pollutants or pesticides.
However, if your dog is over-eating from grass, a visit to the vet can be useful to get to the bottom of possible health problems. In addition, you should also ensure that your four-legged friend is fed a good quality diet, such as Bellfor dog food.