Dogs aren’t all as carnivorous as we think them to be. Instead, they are pretty omnivorous, with a delectable palette of meat with a side of greens. Unfortunately, it’s a common misconception, and we have all been guilty at some point.
So, if you are here reading this, we can imagine your surprise when you saw your dog forage and munch on the grass in your yard. You might have also wondered at some points, “why does my dog eat grass on walks?” “What should I do if my dog eats grass?” We understand why it might come off as a surprise.
We all have guilty pleasures, and grass might be one for dogs. However, we do not recommend that dogs graze on outside grass.
Herbicides and pesticides sprayed on it can prove toxic or even fatal for your dog. Moreover, there is always that risk of ingesting intestinal parasites such as hookworms and roundworms. These contaminations are not healthy for your dog.
To understand which grass is best for your dog, we must first ask why dogs like to eat grass; This is a question veterinarians answer every day. The answer, however, is more complex. Many veterinarians diagnose this behavior as a result of a condition called pica.
Pica is a condition of eating non-food items like a grass due to deficiencies in diet and body. However, many well-balanced dogs eat grass, too; this may be due to physical and psychological reasons.
For example:
- Your dog has stomach discomfort
- The dog needs a source of fiber
- Your pup might be nervous in public
- They are bored when outside
- It may be an instinct to scavenge
Hence, we have the perfect solution to the problem. Let’s talk about the best indoor grass for dogs to eat. While outside grass may be harmful, we can always opt for ‘Pet Grass’ for our dogs. Pet grass can be a healthy addition to a dog’s diet.
Pey Grass
Essentially, pet grass is wheat grass. But it can sometimes include other grasses as well. In addition, wheatgrass is renowned for its wealth of nutrients; this is why you will find wheatgrass supplements in health stores. Wheatgrass contains many amino acids, vitamins, chlorophyll, enzymes, and fiber.
There are extensive health benefits to consuming wheat grass. For example:
- Antioxidants
- Organ cleansing
- Digestion support
- Odor control
- Energy boosting
And much more.
Wheatgrass is freshly sprouted leaves of the wheat plant. However, a common misconception is that the majority automatically assume gluten whenever people think of wheat.
According to Beyond Celiac: “Wheatgrass is gluten-free when harvested from a growing wheat plant without any seeds.”
The grass of the plant does not contain gluten. For example, in wheat, gluten is found in the seed kernels of the plant, not the grass.
Why feed a dog wheatgrass?
As we briefly discussed above, there are many reasons why a dog might feel the need to graze. The main reasons include stomach problems, dietary inhibitions, and psychological. Sometimes, dogs eat yard grass to induce vomit because they have digestive distress.
Sometimes, they eat grass outside during playtime because their diets lack the necessary nutrients and enzymes. Lack of specific nutrients leads to dogs developing pica. Other times, dogs are bored and need something to do outside, so they graze. It can also be a natural animal instinct to smell and eat grass.
However, eating grass from a yard may prove toxic for a dog. Typically, the grass is covered with weed killers and fertilizers, harming your dog’s health. There is nothing wrong with the grass itself.
Wheatgrass is organically grown indoors and is an excellent way of giving your dog the nutrients and wants they wish to fulfill. Many cat owners already practice giving their pets wheatgrass for nutrients and fiber because munching is a mentally and physically stimulating activity.
Wheatgrass also contains an essential component which is chlorophyll. A dog needs chlorophyll to build its immune system, heal wounds, fight infections, build red blood cells, and detoxify. In addition, a Chlorophyll-rich diet is an effective way to treat and prevent foul odor and breath in your dog.
How to grow wheatgrass?
Growing wheatgrass as a tasty treat for your pet is as simple as taking seeds, plowing them into the soil, and letting them grow. First, however, we have a step-by-step guide for all you DIYers.
- Get wheatgrass seeds which are also known as wheat berries.
- You will need a container with drainage holes, soil, and another clean container.
- Once your materials are ready, place two tablespoons of seeds in the clean container and cover them with water. Soak for about 12 hours.
- Meanwhile, prepare the container with soil by ensuring adequate ground and mixing compost for fertilization.
- After 12 hours, take the soaked seeds and spread a single layer of seeds across the soil.
- Place the growing container in a well-lit bright place. Make sure the plant does not get direct sunlight.
- Water the plant lightly daily. Refrain from over-watering it.
You can also grow wheatgrass for dogs hydroponically without using soil. Hydroponic plants are a good option for people who have energetic pets. Excited pets knock over the earth or paw at it, which can ruin the wheatgrass plant. Hydroponic growing kits are available to grow wheatgrass.
How to make your dog stop eating yard grass?
- Let’s start with preventing dogs from eating dogs. While it is considered normal behavior in many canines, it is not a healthy habit. We will help you teach your dogs to learn out of eating grass. Condition your dog to the ‘leave it’ command and go outside until you are confident you have broken the habit.
- Always keep your dog closely monitoring—some varieties of plants, whether wild or houseplants, can cause toxicity. Consult your vet if your dog injures a plant, you think might be toxic or if there is too much grass. Don’t use harmful chemicals like fertilizers in your garden to keep it dog-friendly.
- Make sure you feed your dog smaller but more frequent meals – Feed your dog first thing in the morning.
- Consider disciplining your dog through a deterrent spray. Splash it a rush every time it nibbles on the grass outside.
- Ask your vet to give you a complete nutrition plan for your dog so that his diet is well-balanced for nutrients.
- When you take your dog outside for playtime, take a safe chew toy with you and play with it to keep it entertained.
How to feed your dog organic wheatgrass?
- Start by engaging their natural foraging instincts. Take the potted wheat grass and place it next to their water and food bowl. Encourage your dog towards the wheatgrass by plucking a leaf and offering it to them to smell or ingest. Feeding them by hand is particularly important when your dog has been trained not to eat houseplants.
- Allowing the dogs to forage naturally is our favorite activity because dogs love to feed, especially pugs.
- If your dog is not interested in munching on the grass straight from the pot, chop a few leaves, and add them to their food. A little amount of wheatgrass will go a long way.
- To make the wheatgrass desirable for your dog, lightly water it daily. Whether you grow the wheatgrass yourself or buy a fully grown plant from a botanic garden, the care remains consistent and the same.
- You can find pet wheatgrass at any local farm or botanic nursery. You can even grow the plant yourself for assurance.
According to pet research, many canines display the behavior of grazing. While the behavior might stem from several reasons, it is considered normal dog behavior. As a concerned pet parent, we know the grass is not as healthy as it looks.
More dogs have started developing grazing behavior, especially after the increased use of commercial dog food and kibbles in households. Commercial feed lacks essential nutrients and enzymes that a dog needs. We always recommend that our dog owners get a nutrition plan to know what they need and do not. Remember, canines are somewhat omnivorous as opposed to typical opinion.