Updates On 19th Dec 2017

Pica Chew – that is the technical term for digesting anything not classified as an actual food. Most common form of pica is rock, plastic bags, wood, paper, and many more. My dogs and puppies at home, harbors a particular fondness for tissue papers although they need not be cleaned!

Dogs eating grass is very common. Eating grass may have been a way of hiding their scent from predators, in much the same manner in which dogs roll in smelly things to mask their scent.

Grass eating in itself is a form of pica that does not cause a lot of problems. Most veterinarians consider grass eating is a normal dog behavior. However, beware on the herbicides and pesticides used in lawn care. These chemicals are very dangerous to all pets!

Some believe dogs eating grass is because dogs believe it helps them to vomit when they have stomach problems. Other suggested reasons why your dog might be eating grass include improving digestion.

Intestinal worms may be the cause of your dog’s grass eating habit. Worms that invade your dog’s body do so in a stealthy manner at first, that is until the worm population grows and your dog experiences other health problems. In any case it wouldn’t hurt having your dog tested for these problem causing parasites! Worm testing should be an annual practice.

Pica sometimes indicates your dog has some sort of nutritional deficiency. Consider switching to a higher grade dog food containing high fiber and better nutrition. One published study reports on a miniature poodle that ate grass and then vomited every day for seven years. Three days after putting the dog on a high-fiber diet, the owner reported that the dog stopped eating grass entirely. And, of course, there is also the possibility that your dog simply likes the way grass tastes or feels.

If your dog is bored, and boredom could be the reason for grass eating, you might consider exercising your dog more. Buy a frisbee/ball to play catch. Get your dog a new dog toy and keep your dog occupied with some fun activities.

In the long run, we’re not a 100% sure why dogs eat grass. Stomach distress can hint to a number of problems more serious like gastric reflux or inflammatory bowel syndrome.

Photo taken from www.the-dogs.info/why-dogs-eating-grass/

Source: https://www.facebook.com/SarawakSPCA/photos/a.10155925831354..

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SPCA Sarawak

The Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals believes that animals, as living creatures, have value beyond economic measurement, and are entitled to legal, moral and ethical consideration and protection. The Sarawak SPCA's mission is to act as an advocate on behalf of animals and as an enforcer of their rights; to provide for the well-being of the animals of the State of Sarawak who are abandoned, injured, subjected to unfair or cruel treatment, or otherwise in need; to cultivate in the people of our community an awareness of the animals whose world we share; to promote a bond of mutual assistance between people and animals; and to instill respect for and appreciation of all living things.

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