Pets are funny aren’t they? Sometimes they can be gross too! Haha, I bet I’m not the only one that has a dog that eats weird stuff. Many dogs around the world suffer from eating grass and dirt, but is it harmful for the dog, and why do they even do that! To answers these questions and more, let’s break down a few different reasons why dogs eat grass?
Some Dogs Have Pica
Pica is the ingestion or eating of materials that just shouldn’t be eaten. Not only should they not be eaten, but they were never supposed to be eaten in the first place. This can be anything from dog poop, to shoes or even grass and dirt. The concept behind pica, is that it’s a material that provides no nutritional value. Outside of pica, there may be deeper reasons for why your dog continues to eat grass or dirt… so let’s continue.
Hunger or a Mineral Deficiency?
If a dog is hungry, it will eat just about anything… even grass and dirt. Always make sure that your dog is fed enough food and living a healthy life style. If your dog is still eat grass and dirt, while also being fed several times a day, it could be a mineral deficiency issue. Dogs that eat dirt are often associated with anemia, which is often a result of low quality food. If they aren’t getting the right minerals from their food, they will result to eating other foods or substances, such as grass.
If you dog continues to eat grass and dirt and you just can’t seem to find a reason why or how to fix it, we recommend you visit your local vet and have a check up made. While there may not be any long term concerns for your pet from eating grass and dirt, there may be some underlining issues that you need to find and discuss.
Why Do Dogs Eat Grass? Video
