Why do Dogs and Cats eat grass?

Why does my Dog eat grass?

1. Generations ago, dogs were opportunistic scavengers who would eat anything that would satisfy their diet needs. Today, grass is the only available option.
2. Grass is chewy and tasty.
3. Your dog gets the fiber or roughage that was missing from its food. Fiber gives energy to the cells inside your dog’s intestine and allows for proper functioning of the digestive system. Pumpkin is a good fiber for your dog.
4. Your dog lacks exercise and is jaded so she thinks chewing grass is similar to chewing a toy.
5. If your dog is having stomach problems like bloating, she will eat grass.
6. Less than one in four dogs vomit after eating grass, so don’t be worried. Only if your dog gulps down the grass, the prickly grass blade irritates the stomach, called gastric irritability. This causes your dog to vomit out whatever the stomach does not like – in this case, grass.
7. However, check if your dog has redness on her lower esophagus, or pulls out her neck to swallow the grass; as then it could mean some serious illness.

Why do Cats eat grass?

1. Grass has folic acid that aids in production of hemoglobin.
2. Grass acts like a laxative.
3. Grass helps in reducing sore throat.
4. Cats eat a mouse whole without chewing. After it eats the mouse, it eats grass. Cats lack the digestive enzymes needed to break down grass; so they regurgitate or vomit the grass. Also, the prickly grass tickles the stomach and causes the mouse’s redundant parts (fur, feathers, and parasite) to come out with the grass when the cat vomits.
5. However, if your cat eats copious amounts of grass everyday, consult your vet.

Read all about the Top 5 Dog Breeds in the World.