My dog eats grass almost regularly. What is she lacking in her diet?

Question

She is an older house dog. I buy her dog food for adult dogs and I thought it was a good qaulity what should I be doing differently and is it a good idea to just switch foods or should it be something introduced slowly.

Answer 1

read this USA today article

Answer 2

My 2yo maltese also does that sometimes. I suspect there may be some herbs growing in between the grass (birds or the wind may have transported the seeds) that animals know which one to eat. Dont quote me as am no expert on the matter. There's also an old lady nearby who regularly goes downstairs her block to pick at some grass/herbs...what she does with it I'm not sure but I suspect it could be some cure for some ailments. There's a lot of plants, bark etc that may be good for our internal (or external) use...TCM traditional chinese medicine that I'm not exactly into. Good that yr dog loves veggies...mine will only eat vegs if it is mashed and mixed with wet dogfood...otherwise he'll pick them out from the bowl and leave them lying around nearby! Let your dog eat the grass as long as there's no untoward consequences...after all cows do eat grass.

Answer 3

She eats grass bacause her stomach is upset. There isn't really much you can do about it but stop her, because it makes dogs throw up. You should probably buy a food made for older dogs, because it will be easier on her stomach. You shouldn't have to introduce slowly, but when you do switch, keep an eye on her.

Answer 4

She's not lacking anything, dogs just like grass. My dog eats grass all of the time. It's completely normal for a dog to eat grass.

Answer 5

She just might like the taste of grass. For the same reason you want a salad now and then.

"It's a normal part of their diet," says Holly Frisby, DVM, of Doctors Foster & Smith, Inc. in Wisconsin. Wild canine relatives of dogs—wolves and foxes—eat all their catch. They end up, therefore, eating grasses and plants in the intestines of these animals. Domestic dogs, eating prepared dog food, lack this roughage and so they eat grass.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/science/2003-12-19-wonderquest-dogs-grass_x.htm

Answer 6

i was told dogs and cats eat grass because they have upset stomachs. The grass is kinda of like a antiacid. Old wise tale? Who knows. Just as long as he eats the weeds around the fence line so you dont have to weed whack, I wouldnt worry too much

Answer 7

They eat grass so they can throw up. Maybe she's been getting ahold of something not quite as healthy and tasty as regular dog food?

Answer 8

Nothing!!!! Dogs eat grass as a part of their diet. Is a natural laxative/prugative. So let your dog do that.... is healthy for him

Answer 9

Dogs eat grass to settle their tummy

Answer 10

Grass calms a dogs upset stomach she might have a stomach problem though.

Answer 11

My sister told me that when a dog eats grass it means there stomach is upset or they are sick. She works for a Vet!!!