Based in Maryland, Brian Kezer is a sports and fitness enthusiast who also enjoys music. Fond of animals, Brian Kezer has an interest in dogs and their behavior. One interesting trait of canines, often seen on walks in parks, is their tendency to eat grass. Dogs do this regardless of whether they are receiving a balanced diet at home.
Dogs did not evolve as true carnivores, which each only meat, although they do not meet the criterion of true omnivores either. Rather, they balanced a diet of primarily meat with roughage that added fiber and other basic nutrients. Studies of various groups of wolves in the wild shows that from 10 to 50 percent consume some amount of grass.
While today’s dogs no longer hunt for food, this does not mean that the instinct to scavenge has disappeared. For most canines, occasional grass eating is not a major issue, as they may simply enjoy the texture and taste in their mouth. In addition, dogs may eat grass without chewing to induce vomiting, should they have an upset stomach.
Unfortunately, there may be pesticides or herbicides on the grass, as well as intestinal parasites associated with animal waste. One simple strategy for weaning dogs off a desire to eat grass, other than using the leash, is to bring an alternative snack along. This can then be offered to them when they begin to show an interest in eating grass.
Brian Kezer 