為什麼狗狗會吃草？

May 25, 2016 • yunus

為什麼狗狗會吃草？
每位狗主人都看過愛犬衝向門口，接著大口啃食最近一片草地的情景。一般人認為，這是狗狗為了讓自己嘔吐而採取的快速方法，但獸醫大多已推翻這個迷思。狗狗也缺乏消化草所需的酵素，因此吃草幾乎沒有營養價值。那麼問題依然存在：狗狗為什麼會有這種看似毫無意義的行為？
 
與貓科動物不同，狗狗並非完全的肉食動物。數千年來，犬科動物一直是機會型雜食者，會覓食幾乎任何能滿足營養需求的食物。然而，現代狗狗的飲食已不再像牠們的祖先。野狗常會連同獵物的所有部分一起吃下，包括食草動物胃中的內容物；我們飼養的寵物則攝取截然不同的飲食。這或許能解釋為什麼有些狗狗會把草當作替代食物來源。有些理論認為，草有助於改善消化，尤其是在狗狗缺乏纖維的情況下。
 
雖然狗狗吃植物性食物可能是天性，但這仍無法解釋為什麼您的愛犬有時吃草後會嘔吐。有些人認為，狗狗在感到不適時會刻意吃草讓自己吐出來—例如緩解噁心或脹氣、清除阻塞的消化道，或是對寄生蟲或細菌產生反應。可是，證據顯示，絕大多數覓食的狗狗在開始吃草時並沒有生病；獸醫也發現，經常吃草的狗狗中，事後會嘔吐的不到四分之一。
 
有些狗狗會因營養不足或腸胃不適而尋找草和其他植物性食物，但獸醫認為，許多「異食癖」—也就是吃非食物的東西，包括草—其實只是無聊的表現。如果您懷疑狗狗的異食癖是因刺激不足所致，請透過一起玩互動遊戲或買咬咬玩具等有趣活動，確保牠獲得足夠的運動。另一方面，若您懷疑狗狗吃草是因營養缺乏，請嘗試換成纖維含量較高、品質更好的狗糧。不過，有些狗狗可能只是因為喜歡吃草而持續吃草。雖然專家一致認為，吃草本身並無害，但草坪上使用的農藥一旦被愛犬攝入，可能具有毒性。午後吃點草屬於正常現象，但如果狗狗看起來很不舒服，或經常為了嘔吐而吃草，您應帶牠去看獸醫，因為這些可能是潛在疾病的徵兆。

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評論(8)

  1. Bob Lersch

    We have found that the dogs are trying to get MSM that is in the tips of the grass. Feeding them MSM stops the grass eating. They throw up the grass because they have absorbed the MSM and have no need for the grass itself.

  2. Richard

    What is MSM, and how do you feed it to your dog?

  3. Vickie

    What is MSM?

  4. Libby Henry

    My dogs like to eat only certain types of grassy plants. When we are out walking, they forage through what's growing on the side of the road, but only eat one kind of plant.

  5. Bob Lersch

    MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) is a natural supplement that is available at almost any health food store. The powdered version is easier to work with. 1/4 teaspoon for every 50 lbs seems to work well. I just sprinkle it on the food. It really helps old dogs and helps with skin issues too.

  6. Lisette

    My girl has always been a grass eater. She doesn't throw up afterwards. Just likes to nibble on blades every once in a while. She's always had a clean bill of health and feed her higher end kibble and veggies.

  7. Shelley Little

    My German Shepherd has eaten grass when hiking for over 7 1/2 years, she always throws it up after if she eats enough of it. I do believe it is because she has an upset tummy, however, she only eats a certain type of grass, I have never seen her munch down any of her own large lawn or any one elses. Most of the long bladed healthy looking green grass she eats grows along rivers or near water, or damper ground. Twice when I knew she was sick, she ate more of it, & vomited more. She won't vomit it if she has only eaten a few blades. My dog gets more exercise and outings than most are able to provide, and eats a top line of dog food that has kept her stool healthily consistent. I grew up on a hobby farm, it seems many vets still don't have answers, but I feel the only thing that causes this is an 'instinct', to rid anything that gets into there system that causes the least little bit of upset, & it doens't have to be much. Drinking unhealthy water at times is what I believe causes, it most of the time. If they are really forging for grass like crazy, and do it all the time, then they likely should see a vet. However, if your food is of good quality, and you allow your dog to eat any vegetables it might want is great and should be fed to them in their diet. Mine will only eat veggies if smothered in meat lol Dogs need lots of freedom, as in running in fields etc, and should be loved as part of the family, like children :) Their attachment is as strong as a child's and I believe much stronger even. Dogs need their grass, but like a certain type of grass, and I believe completely that it helps them rid themselves of 'troubles' ... good luck everyone with your animal family members! :) And thanks Bob Lersch for your information, I shall look into the MSM thing, sounds like this could be another reason they have this craving every so often, or often, depending :)

  8. R Godfrey

    My dog eats dirt as well as grass but never brings it up.
    She will dig a hole for the dirt..

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