Understand why dogs and cats usually eat grass

Dogs and cats are carnivorous animals, but some of them may have a habit of eating grass. As explained by veterinarian Mayra Susenko, this type of behavior can be motivated by different factors, such as:

• Animal instinct based on the behavior of its ancestors;
• The pet found the grass something curious and decided to “investigate with his teeth”;
• He likes the smell, so he eats it;
• The animal is feeling some gastrointestinal discomfort and, by instinct, ingests the grass to alleviate the discomfort;
• Eat to meet the need for fiber in food and improve digestion and intestinal motility.

When to be a cause for concern

Although it may seem strange, when grass ingestion happens occasionally, there is no cause for concern. That’s because she doesn’t usually do harm to dogs and cats. However, according to Mayra Susenko, the tutor should be alert if the pet starts eating suddenly and in large quantities, as well as showing other symptoms, such as vomiting or diarrhea, apathy and loss of appetite.

In this case, it’s important to take him to the vet to investigate what’s wrong. “Excess grass intake can be a sign of malnutrition, gastritis, dehydration, worms, abdominal cramps, among other problems that need to be investigated and treated properly”, explains the veterinarian. Also, for some pets, excessive intake can cause vomiting, diarrhea or other digestive problems.

Beware of Grass Types

Although they all look the same, they are not all types of grass that dogs and cats can eat. “It is important to pay attention to everything the pet is eating, as some plants that are very common in our daily lives can be toxic to animals”, warns Mayra Susenko, who adds: “in the case of grasses, there is practically no problem , as long as they are not sprayed with chemical fertilizers or pesticides”.

Healthy grams for pets

Some types of grass, such as common, wheat and barley, can be easily grown at home and offered to children. animals pet. “Nowadays, it is common to find vases with specific grass for pets being sold in large stores and a mix of seeds of wheat grass, oats, birdseed, millet and millet, which can be planted at home”, says Mayra Susenko.

Benefits of a few grams

According to the veterinarian, the grass grown from popcorn corn is very positive for cats, as it helps to control hairballs and prevent vomiting and diarrhea. Also, it takes a few days to sprout.

Wheatgrass, in turn, has important nutrients for the health of animals, such as vitamins A, B, C and E, as well as minerals such as calcium, iron and magnesium. “It is a food popular among pet owners looking for a more nutritious alternative to offer their pets, and is commonly consumed by humans in natural juices”, says Mayra Susenko.

Despite the benefits, no type of grass should be used to replace the feed or main food of dogs and cats, which must be balanced and indicated by a veterinarian, in order to meet all the animal’s nutritional needs.