Next Steps
Regular grass consumption is not a reason for alarm. You may make easy adjustments to bring some “spice” to your dog’s life and food bowl if he or she is eating grass out of boredom or due to a nutritional shortage. For your dog’s safety, there are situations when you must immediately cease this behavior. Other times, it may indicate that your dog is gravely ill.
Step 1: Avoid poisonous plants.
Dogs kept indoors may feed their grazing instinct by chewing on houseplants. Depending on the kind of plant, this practice could be hazardous or even lethal. Avoid growing any possibly hazardous plants indoors or outdoors to be on the safe side.
Step 2: Keep your dog away from poisonous plants.
If you are unable to cultivate plants that are poisonous to dogs or do not wish to do so, store the plants in a location that your dog cannot access. Alternately, concentrate on educating your dog to understand which plants or locations in your house or garden are off bounds.
Step 3: Be aware of chemicals on the grass.
Never let your dog consume chemically treated grass since doing so might poison them. Your neighbor may use pesticides and herbicides even if you don’t on your own lawn and garden. If toxic compounds are sprayed on a windy day, they may end up in your yard by water runoff or wind. This also applies to open spaces like parks where the grass may have received treatment.
Step 4: Provide your dog with alternative.
Give your dog a substitute for grass to satisfy its hunger. For instance, you might give your dog access to a patch or a container of nutritious wheatgrass. There are frequently dog-safe kits for growing grass and herbs available at pet supply stores.
Step 5: Provide your dog with enough exercise.
Make sure your dog exercises plenty every day. To beat boredom, this also includes physical and mental exercise. The ability to control boredom-related behaviors may be greatly improved by setting aside time each day to play with your dog and concentrate on training.
A sudden increase in grazing may indicate that your dog is ill or is deficient in essential nutrients. Pay attention to your dog’s behavior so you can, if required, address it with your veterinarian.
Step 6: Examine your dog’s food.
To determine whether the components in your dog’s food actually offer a balanced diet with all the nutrients your dog need, look at the ingredients list. Your dog’s requirement for its grassy supplement may be reduced to some extent by switching to a meal that is richer in fiber or generally helps digestion.
Note: The material in this page is meant to be informative only; it does not represent veterinary advice for animals. Please schedule an appointment with your veterinarian for a precise diagnosis of your pet’s illness.
