It’s something rarely talked about, but something that many pets do: eating grass. Have you ever wondered just why your animal companion has an affinity for the green stuff? Well, there are several theories behind why cats and dogs enjoy nibbling on grass, and for the most part, there’s little reason to be alarmed. Below, a Snohomish vet discusses some of these reasons and a few ways you can ensure that your pet is healthy and happy despite his or her odd habit.

Reasons

Since our pets cannot explain to us exactly why they choose to eat grass, there are a number of theories that have been developed, such as:

• They simply like the taste of fresh, green grass
• They’re hungry
• They’re not feeling well and eat it to induce vomiting

Healthy Diet

Generally speaking, if your pet enjoys a grassy snack once in awhile it’s no big deal. To curb this behavior, you may want to examine your pet’s eating habits and diet. Speak with your Snohomish vet about the type of food you’re feeding your animal companion. Ask how often your particular pet should be fed. If an animal is being given a healthy, balanced diet and is placed on a consistent feeding schedule, there is less of a chance he or she will look elsewhere for a snack. Of course, if your pet falls into the “just likes the taste” category, then there’s probably not much you can do to stop it.

Regular Wellness Care

Whatever you believe the reason behind it to be, if your pet eats grass regularly it’s something worth discussing with your Snohomish vet. You want to be certain there are no underlying medical issues, such as pica, which is a condition that compels animals to routinely consume things that are not considered to be food items. These types of conditions can wreak havoc on your pet’s body, and should be addressed as quickly as possible.

The fact is pets do the darndest things, and eating grass is one of them. If your pet exhibits this behavior, don’t panic but discuss it with your Snohomish vet. You’ll likely find out it’s a simple case of instinct, and nothing to be concerned about, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.