A Trip to the Salad Bar

One of the interesting things about being a veterinarian is that a lot of people think we should know the answer to any animal-related question regardless of the species. It is quite flattering, actually; I doubt they think that way about their human doctors, as limited as MD's are to the single species they see. Some often-asked questions concern the dietary habits of their pets-why do dogs and cats eat grass? Do they eat grass because they are sick? Do they eat it to make themselves vomit? Is their some kind of vitamin deficiency in their diet? Do they fancy themselves as grazing cows?

Many dogs and cats eat grasses and plants of all kinds-even wild canids (wolves, coyotes) and felids (lions, cougars) are known to do this. It doesn't matter if the plant material has nutritional value or not, the animal does not have to be sick before eating the plant, and they do not necessarily vomit afterward. Since their "natural" diet consists of herbivorous (plant-eating) prey animals, grass would be in the stomachs of their "food," and therefore a regular component of their diet. Some cats actually leave this material behind, enhancing their status as true carnivores. Good quality dog and cat foods are nutritionally complete and balanced-there should be no deficiencies causing the pets to search out plant material. Fibrous grass blades have been known to cleanse the gastrointestinal tract, however, expelling mucus, bile and even worms as they pass through. They can also have a "tickle" effect on the lining of the stomach which can induce vomiting.

It is true that some animals eat grass and subsequently vomit, but there is a difference in how they eat the grass that is interesting to note. Healthy animals just having a snack of grass tend to graze small bites slowly and swallow after thoroughly chewing up the blades. Sick pets will attack the grass, gobbling up large volumes almost frantically and will swallow long, sharp blades intact. These are much more irritating to the gastric (stomach) lining and inevitably induce vomiting. Does the ill animal "know" to do this? Nature certainly takes care of things.

If grass eating becomes a new behavior for your pet, one you have never observed in him or her before, it may be a sign of a problem, but likely is just your critter fancying a trip to the salad bar. They could be hungry or just bored. Some diets don't give the pet enough chewing time. Their veterinarians may recommend adding more fiber to the diets in the form of canned or fresh vegetables, or just feeding a higher fiber content diet to begin with. "Senior" and "light" or diet formulas fall into this category. Many pet stores offer for sale pet-safe grasses for house pets to graze on, especially enticing for cats with the munchies. If your critters are eating grass outside, be sure it is free of all pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers that could be toxic or caustic/irritating to the oral tissues.

OK, How many blogs did you read today that talked all about puking? Leave it to your friendly neighborhood veterinarian for such a yummy topic! Hope I didn't ruin your next trip to the actual salad bar. You've got to have an iron stomach in this profession.

Peace,
DrReneigh