In a few forums, I discovered that a commonly asked question about Greyhounds is why they eat grass. As being a dog lover, I wanted to do some research on it in order to reduce your workload. This is what I learned.
Why Does Your Greyhound Eat Grass? Greyhounds can eat grass for a number of different reasons which includes an upset stomach, boredom, anxiety, nausea, digestion problems etc. In these circumstances, the best possible solution is to train your fur babies to not eat grass or to occupy them with other fun activities.
I have found 8 possible reasons why a Greyhound may eat grass. Along with that, I have also provided some possible solutions that you can follow to prevent them from doing such activity. Keep reading to know them yourself.
Related Reading: Should I Worry About My Doberman Pinscher Eating Grass?
Can Your Greyhound Eat Grass? Is Eating Grass Bad For Your Greyhound?
Have you been noticing your Greyhound eating grass once in a while? Does seeing her eating grass make you both confused and concerned? While you may be concerned about her health and the mess you may have to clean up later, this behavior is not always a matter of concern. But how do you know when it is actually a matter to worry about? Keep reading to know.
Although eating grass is not usually dangerous to Greyhounds, it can trigger intestinal parasites that can be picked up from animal droppings and stool. Besides, the herbal and chemicals sprayed on your lawn can also be dangerous for your dog.
Related Reading: Is Eating Grass Normal For Beagles?
8 Possible Reasons: Why Does Your Greyhound Eat Grass?
There can be many reasons why your Greyhound may eat grass. Some possible explanations are given below.
#1 Is Your Greyhound Eating Grass for Physical Reasons?
There can be many physical reasons behind your Greyhound’s grass consumption. For example-
- Digestive Need: Since a dog’s ability to digest food and move stool is harmed by a lack of roughage, grass can actually make their bodily functions work more smoothly.
- Stomach Problems: Dogs are susceptible to a number of life-threatening digestive disorders. It is time to see the vet if your Greyhound vomits frequently—more than once after eating grass—or if she has watery recurrent diarrhea.
#2 Is Your Greyhound Eating Grass for Psychological Reasons?
It is possible that your Greyhound has no physical issue and the reason behind her nibbling grass is solely related to her state of mind. For example-
- Your Greyhound Wants Attention: Dogs enjoy human contact, and if they feel abandoned, they can attempt to gain their owners’ attention by doing things like chewing grass.
- Your Greyhound is Obsessive Behaviors: Some dogs have obsessive tendencies. It is time to take your Greyhound to the vet if she is constantly eating grass. Your veterinarian will offer you advice about how to treat your dog with obsessive habits.
#3 Is Your Greyhound Having An Upset Stomach?
It is more likely that your Greyhound is having an upset stomach issue if it is eating grass.
Stomach Upset: Grass consumption can indicate that your Greyhound dog is trying to settle an upset stomach, and sometimes they vomit shortly after eating it. Some symptoms of an upset stomach in your Greyhound is given below-
- Lip-smacking is one of the less known symptoms of a dog’s upset stomach.
- Drooling is caused by the defensive role saliva plays in shielding the dog’s throat, lips, and teeth from the negative effects of the acidic vomit in the event of an upset stomach.
- Gulping, just like lip smacking, is a method of reducing excessive saliva production.
- Affected Greyhounds may attempt to lick surfaces of carpets, floors, curtains, and couches.
- Loss of appetite can be a sign of stomach upset.
- Elevated or repeated sounds are often indicative of increased stomach and intestinal motility, which is often caused by indigestion.
- Affected dogs can experience gastritis, with excessive burping as a result of the stomach acid.
- Some Greyhounds get restless if their stomach is irritated.
- When touched, some dogs can tense up and tighten their belly muscles because it hurts.
- Shaking can be seen in Greyhounds that are experiencing stomach pain or nausea.
- A dog that is afraid to walk around, climb stairs, or hop on furniture may be feeling stomach pain or discomfort.
#4 Is Your Greyhound Nauseated?
One of the most famous explanations for the reason behind dogs eating grass is that they are nauseated. If your Greyhound eats grass occasionally, it is likely that she is trying to use it as a natural emetic to induce vomiting when she is feeling sick.
However, only about 25 percent of dogs vomit after consuming grass, and only about ten percent exhibit symptoms of sickness while eating it.
After eating grass, dogs do not always puke, and some dogs never do. This may mean that the two activities have no real connection. Some dogs can vomit due to the odd texture or flavor of the grass rather than any digestive issues.
#5 Is Your Greyhound Bored?
Your Greyhound’s day revolves around her caregivers’ movements, as she watches them leave and waits for their return. She has the whole backyard to herself, but there is very little to do there.
Some experts believe that dogs eat grass because it gives them something to do when they are bored. Consequently, in the process of waiting for their owners, Greyhounds might get bored and eat grass to pass the hours.
Do you find that your Greyhound eats more grass when you aren’t walking or playing with them as much as you should? If that is what happens, then it is likely that your dog is bored.
#6 Is This An Instinctive Behavior Of Your Greyhound Canine?
This action may have some innate psychological explanations. Dogs in the wild ate everything they hunted, including meat, bones, internal organs, and the stomach contents of their prey, to keep their diets healthy.
Eating an entire animal provided a reasonably healthy diet, particularly when the prey’s stomach included grass and plants, which satisfied the dog’s fiber requirement.
Dogs are not true carnivores (only consume meat), but they are also not omnivores (eat both meat and plants). Dogs in the wild eat anything that helps them meet their basic nutritional needs.
Modern dogs do not need to hunt for food, but that does not mean they have lost their innate scavenging instinct. As a result of their heritage and the need to be scavengers, some dogs, including those that consume commercial dog food, will eat grass.
Eating grass is a behavior issue for these dogs that may or may not be a concern at all. There is nothing to be nervous about if you notice your Greyhound eating grass but don’t see her vomiting afterward. She may actually be walking in the footsteps of her ancestors.
#7 Is Your Greyhound Puppy Suffering From Intestinal Worms?
Additional reasons why your dog may eat grass include the treatment of intestinal worms.
Wolves and cougars are known to eat grass. This is due to the fact that they carry intestinal parasites. It is just part of the experience of living in nature. The medications we use to control worms are not available to wild animals.
Grass aids in the elimination of massive intestinal parasites such as roundworms from wolves’ stomachs. Increased small intestinal motility is caused by the grass, which can also physically wrap around the worms and bring them out.
Despite the fact that many domestic dogs are parasite-free; their grass-eating habit may be a remnant evolutionary instinct to rid their systems of intestinal worms.
#8 Does Your Greyhound Dog Like The Taste Of Grass?
Finally, there is another psychological explanation why your Greyhound dog may eat grass is that some dogs actually love the taste and texture of grass.
Some dogs only eat grass in particular areas or at specific times of the year, which suggests that they love the taste and feel of the grass they chew.
Even some dogs are delighted to rush outside whenever they get the chance to chow down on the grass in the backyard. These dogs also show that certain dogs actually enjoy chewing grass on a daily basis.
In addition to grass, your puppy is likely to sometimes eat nutritious raw-plant treats like sliced bananas, green beans, strawberries, or even apple slices.
Should You Worry About Your Greyhound Eating Grass? When Should You Take Action?
Be aware of the possible underlying problems that your dog is trying to self-treat if you catch them chewing grass more often or excessively. Look for vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, appetite loss, blood in the stool, lethargy, or lip licking as well.
Always monitor your dog if house plants are in the vicinity, because certain varieties of plants may lead to toxicity when chewed or ingested.
If you think your Greyhound has eaten a toxic home plant or possibly taken in too much grass or small quantities of chemicals, it is better to consult with your veterinarian. The veterinarian can conduct tests for determining the underlying conditions such as fecal samples, blood tests or even physical exams.
If your dog has no signs but you feel that they might have taken too much grass, keep her hydrated and give her time for potty breaks.
How To Stop Your Greyhound Dog From Eating Grass?
You may want to try to prevent your Greyhound if she eats too much grass out of pure boredom. If your dog’s grazing activity is triggered by fear, you may want to make her feel better and suppress the temptation to graze. Some tips are given below that may help you to stop your Greyhound from eating grass.
Reassess Your Greyhound’s Physical Exercise Routine: Reassess your Greyhound’s regular training schedule. A lack of activity is closely related to a variety of destructive and unwanted behaviors.
Dogs that are bored will lookout for opportunities to occupy themselves, which isn’t necessarily in the way we would like. Eating grass can be one of those activities. So, it is important that they get enough exercise.
Give Your Greyhound Other Things To Chew On: Mental challenges are about as enjoyable as physical challenges and can be a fantastic energy zapper. To begin, have suitable chews that are both tasty and long-lasting to keep your dog entertained. Low-fat alternatives include buffalo horns, antlers, and bully sticks.
Play Different Games With Your Greyhound: There are hundreds of brain games designed especially to keep your Greyhound’s mind busy and test them. Nina Ottosson and Trixie are some of the good choices.
Teach New Tricks To Your Greyhound: Build a homemade agility course or teach your Greyhound a new trick. You can also enroll your dog in a training or athletic course. This will not only divert their attention away from the grass, but it will also result in a happier and better-behaved dog in the long term.
Use Anti-Anxiety Aids: If you have noticed that your Greyhound eats grass when she is irritated or stressed, there are a few things you can do to make her stop from grazing.
The first move is to speak with your veterinarian to determine the best care option for your dog. They may prescribe sedatives or refer you to a behaviorist who can conduct desensitization therapy.
Feed a Balanced Diet To Your Greyhound: There are two things you can do if you suspect your Greyhound is chewing grass because of a fiber shortage. You can replace their normal dog food with one that has more fiber, or you can add fiber-rich vegetables to their diet.
Train Your Greyhound To Stop Eating Grass: Dogs that react well to food rewards may be taught to avoid eating grass in return for a healthier choice. That means you will need to have treats with you when you go on a walk with your Greyhound pup.
Distract her from nibbling grass by directing her to go in a different direction or giving her a verbal correction. Reward her when she gets what you are saying and follows your instructions.
What To Offer To Your Greyhound as a Safe Substitute For Grass?
Dogs tend to believe that grass gives them fiber to support indigestion. Grass, however, has little to add to the diet of your dog.
If your Greyhound enjoys the taste of grass, look for something cool, healthy, and textured to replace it. Many dog owners use fresh carrots, steamed broccoli, or string beans, peeled celery and even lettuce to feed their dogs. Figure out which ones your dog enjoys.
These foods will not only be a replacement of grass, but it will also add more fiber and help your Greyhound digest better.
Read To Know: Why Does Your Great Dane Eat Grass A Lot?
Over To You
Which aspect of the subject was the most beneficial to you? Did you have any prior knowledge of these facts? If not, which part of it was new to you and maybe surprising?
Which method from the article do you want to use to figure out why your Greyhound Eats Grass sometimes.
Let me know if there is anything relevant to the discussion in this article that I missed. I am open to new ideas.
You can also let me know if there are any additional topics you would like me to cover.
Please leave your valuable feedback in the comments section. If you found the article useful, please share it with your friends.
Further Readings:
