Grazing on Green: Is grass eating normal?

I hear customers, family, and friends talk about their dogs eating grass and it just doesn't seem right to me, so I've done some investigating. I've heard everything from it being a natural remedy for gassy stomachs/force vomiting to cure constipation.

I found no evidence that grass eating is detrimental to your pooches health. Although, there are many dangers and concerns as a pet owner, you should worry about.

So When you find Fido munching away in the backyard, you may want make want to take the initiative to find the underlying problem.

Here are some health hazards that experts say you need to take in consideration:

• Fiber Deficiency. Don't mistake this habit as a behavioral problem, let it be a sign that Fido is lacking the efficient amount of fiber in his or her diet! Nutrition studies support high protein, high fiber diets for their ability to improve weight loss and satiety in overweight dogs. More fiber in the diet can mean better blood sugar control in overweight dogs with diabetes. And of course, we offer many different varieties of high fiber and high protein foods!
• Houseplant Hazards. If they cannot satisfy their need for fiber from nontoxic sources, they may turn to houseplants, like a Dieffenbachia, which can be fatal. And lilies are fatal to cats ( For a complete listing of poisonous plants click HERE).
• Fertilizer, herbicides, pesticides, and other contaminants such as parasites on the lawn could pose dangers.

So, when you think about it, grass munching isn’t that bad at all. However, watch out for a sudden increase in grass eating; it could be a sign of a more serious underlying illness that your dog is trying to self treat, and that requires immediate veterinary assistance.