The structure of a dog’s digestive system is different from that of cows and horses which are grass eaters.  The digestive system of canines cannot efficiently digest and metabolize grass. However, dogs instinctively eat grass because it can help provide relief for upset stomach. Grass can also be a good source of fiber and some nutrients for dogs. Fiber helps in the passage of food along the digestive tract and in the elimination of waste products. Some commercial pet food may lack essential nutrients, which dogs can get by grazing on grass.

When a dog eats grass, the grass blade can irritate the animal’s throat and stomach; this can cause the dog to vomit and eventually get rid of the irritant. Grass is also a natural remedy for dogs that suffer from recurrent gassiness.

While eating grass is considered an instinctive behavior in dogs, you should be on the lookout for a sudden increase in frequency of grass-eating; a visit to your reputed pet clinic Oshawa ON can help determine if the behavior is brought about by an underlying health issue.