Why Do Cats and Dogs Eat Grass? Many Are Surprised

Owners of cats and dogs often observe their pets eating grass or houseplants.

It is not by chance that this surprises or alarms the owners. The addiction to greens may be related to the pet's health.

Herbivorous predators

Unusual food preferences of domestic pets can be related to digestion. Animals eat grass to eliminate discomfort in the gastrointestinal tract, pain, nausea, constipation, diarrhea.

Causes of discomfort:
• Feeding too often or too rarely;
• Lack of nutrients;
• Hair that has entered the digestive tract;
• Unbalanced diet;
• Lack of trace elements and vitamins.

In case of poisoning or discomfort in the gastrointestinal tract, the herb provokes vomiting and frees the animal's body from the accumulation of harmful substances and hair.

The main diet of a cat or dog is meat. But the pet's menu must necessarily include fiber. It increases peristalsis and helps digestion and the exit of food from the body.

If there is little fiber in the pet's diet, it begins to look for it on its own. The owner, seeing how his pet eats grass, should reconsider the amount of protein in the pet's menu.

In case of constipation, animals use grass as a laxative. Plants are not digested in the stomach, when passing through the intestines they liquefy solid feces, as they contain water, help empty the intestines.

Animals instinctively feel that grass can help them solve the problem. Plants with narrow, dense stems have a fixing effect and help to cope with diarrhea.

Eating grass may indicate a lack of vitamins and microelements. Green plants are rich in folic acid, B vitamins, minerals, and plant proteins.

Owners mistakenly think that it is good when their pet eats grass and gets all the necessary microelements. The stomach of a cat or dog is not adapted to digest plant fiber. Therefore, it is necessary to include vitamin supplements specially designed for cats or dogs in the diet of a pet.

A veterinarian can help you understand the reasons for your animal’s addiction to greens by conducting an examination and identifying any deviations from the norm in your animal’s body.

There are pets that enjoy eating cucumbers, apples, berries. Animals, like people, have different taste preferences. Some cats and dogs simply like the taste of grass.

If your pet remains cheerful and happy after eating the grass, there is no reason to worry – he simply likes the taste and supply of the plant.

If after the "green dinner":
• Vomiting and lethargy appear;
• Temperature rises;
• The pet refuses food and water;
• Behaves in an unconventional manner.

This is a reason to see a doctor. Perhaps the animal ate poisonous greens. Among indoor plants, there are many that can harm pets:
• Azalea – causes poisoning;
• Hydrangea – has poisonous flowers that cause itching and stomach pain;
• Dieffenbachia – burns mucous membranes;
• Monstera – causes burns;
• Ficus – causes allergies.

Play with me

Eating grass can be a sign of a desire to play. Animals, especially kittens and puppies, love to frolic in the grass and taste the world around them.

If the pet is ok with its nutrition and digestion, but still eats grass, this may be a sign of loneliness. When the owner is away from home for a long time, the pet begins to get bored. The pet decides to attract the owner's attention in such an unconventional way.

Earlier we wrote about which dogs are the most dangerous.

• Related news:
• animals
• cats
• dogs
• grass
• 1 April 2024

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