Dogs have an instinct to eat grass. Why is my vizsla always eating grass? Does your dog pick up and eat blades of grass from the yard or sidewalk? Is it ok when dogs eat grass “spoiled ” by dew, rain, or snow? Why do some dogs seem to chew on their paws excessively during stress, boredom, in pain, or feeling anxious? The answer may surprise you!
This article will take you through the top 9 reasons why your dog might be eating grass and what it means for them.
Is It Normal For Your Vizsla To Eat Grass?
When you flip the history of Vizsla, they are ancient hunting dogs that hunt and eat small furry animals. They have a huge appetite, so it wouldn’t be unusual for your dog not to want to take in as many food sources as possible. The grass is an excellent source of nutrition and fiber, which can also help with Vizsla’s digestion problems such as flatulence. Thus, it is not unusual for Vizslas to eat grass.
Besides this, Vizsla’s digestive system is quite different from that of a human because their stomach acid levels are lower than ours and they need something to neutralize the acid. What people may see as an unhealthy craving, in the dog world it’s normal behavior to eat grass after eating or drinking something sour-tasting (such as lemonade). Why? Because their stomach acid levels are lower than ours and they need something to neutralize the acid.
Why Is My Vizsla Always Eating Grass?
Some people might think that your Vizsla is eating grass because they have a shortage of something in their diet, but it’s actually quite common for dogs to eat grass. But most likely, you just don’t know the answer to that question.
It’s not entirely clear why some dogs enjoy indulging in something so unappetizing, but it is a common behavior for canines all over the world. It might be because of the following reasons :
Psychological Problems
A few reasons your Vizsla might be eating grass are because they have psychological problems like anxiety, fear, nervousness, loneliness and, boredom. Vizslas are very intelligent dogs that take their time to make decisions, so they might be eating grass to calm themselves down when they’re feeling anxious or stressed out about something.
An Empty Stomach
There are also some other theories for why your pet may be eating grass. It could be that they have an empty stomach and need to eat something, so when the long blades of green show up in front of them, it appears like a meal fit for a king. There is also the possibility that your Vizsla needs more roughage in their diet.
Instinctive Behavior
Vizsla is a hunting dog that used to hunt in the wild for centuries. They have overactive salivary glands and can sometimes drool excessively, which provides them with water while they are out on hunts. This might be one of the reasons why your pet may eat grass from time to time.
Stomach Problems
If your Vizsla has a bad stomach, it will want to eat grass to soothe its upset and uncomfortable belly. The grass is also good for dogs with diarrhea as the roughage can help firm up loose stool due to excessive water consumption.
Besides this, grass will add fiber to your Vizsla’s diet that settles its stomach.
Parasitic Infection Or Allergies
Other possible reasons for your Vizsla’s desire to eat grass are food allergies or a parasite. Your dog may have an allergy to some ingredient in its diets, such as wheat or soy. A parasitic infection can also cause this behavior; the parasites will stimulate appetite and make it difficult for them not to want to eat anything they come into contact with.
Moreover, the parasitic infection makes your Vizla more resistant to vomiting, which may be why your dog has this craving.
Inadequate Nutrition
A Vizsla might be eating grass because they are not getting enough nutrients in their diet. A Vizsla needs a complete and balanced diet of protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals to thrive. If your dog is always on the hunt for greenery it could mean that they require something they don’t get enough of.
Further, when you’ve recently switched your dog’s food and they’re now eating grass, it could be because their new diet isn’t providing them with the right nutrients. If some ingredients are unavailable in your dog’s food, they might be trying to find an alternative source of nutrition. Thus, they will eat grass.
Because They Like The Taste
Vizsla’s are avid hunters and scavengers. When they don’t have enough food to consume, they may turn to other sources of nourishment including plants, which some Vizslas like the taste or texture of.
This is a natural behavior for them in times when prey is scarce; it might be an instinctual drive to hunt for food.
To Vomit
When Vizsla are suffering from stomach problems, they eat too much grass too quickly so that they can vomit. The grass helps to empty the stomach and make it more comfortable for your dog to pass gas or stool without too much pain.
Furthermore, the fibers in the grass attach the infectious agent present in your Vizsla’s stomach. So, when your dog vomits, it throws out.
Pica Disorder
Usually, pica disorder is a condition in which dogs crave and eat non-food items such as dirt, chalk, or ice. Sometimes your Vizla might be eating grass due to a pica disorder.
Moreover, some other signs of this disorder are excessive drooling, vomiting, and weight loss. If your dog is exhibiting these signs then it would be a good idea to see the vet for an examination.
What Is A Vizsla Lacking When It Eats Grass?
Eating grass to satisfy hunger can cause your Vizsla’s stomach to feel bloated. When the dog is too full it will not be able to eat its regular food. This could lead to malnutrition or illness.
However, some things Vizsla might be lacking when it always eats grass are:
- Protein
- Carbohydrates
- Fats
- Vitamin A
- Iron
- Beta Carotene, also known as the provitamin of vitamin A.
- Potassium
- Phosphorous
- Calcium
- Iodine
- Vitamin D
- Manganese, magnesium, and selenium.
These substances are essential for Vizsla’s growth as well as maintaining their immune system if they become sick or injured.
Will Eating Grass Cause Problems For Your Vizsla?
Eating grass is actually natural for your Vizsla. In fact, the act of eating grass is “grazing”. Grazing decreases stress and anxiety in dogs because it takes more effort than simply swallowing a bowl of dry food something that some pups might find stressful.
Besides this, grass can be a great source of nutrients and digestive enzymes that can help with digestion. But sometimes, grass-eating due results in some problems like :
- Bloat, which is when the food your Vizsla consumed moves too quickly through his stomach. This can cause vomiting and a bloated belly in dogs.
- Torsion, where gas builds up within the intestines and twists them into an abnormal position.
- Intestinal blockage, where something blocks part of the intestine, preventing gas from moving out of the body.
- Pancreatitis, which is when your Vizsla’s pancreas becomes inflamed due to a sudden surge in sugar levels brought on by eating grass and other carbohydrates.
Therefore, it is better to prevent your Vizsla from eating grass than risking potential problems.
How Can I Stop My Vizsla From Eating Grass?
Undoubtedly, grass-eating does have some health benefits for your Vizsla. But always dwelling on grass and eating grass by avoiding their meals is harmful to your dog. Thus, it is important to stop your Vizsla from eating grass.
For this, you can follow the following tips to teach your Vizsla not to eat grass.
- Make sure that you’re always present when the dog is eating to prevent him or her from picking up on any bad habits.
- When outdoors, make sure that there are no green plants around where they can get their paws and mouth in contact with them easily. For indoor dogs, you can use a pet gate to restrict movement in the house.
- You can also try using an electric dog fence so that they stay away from grassy areas and are not able to eat them.
- Ensure that you are providing adequate exercise to your Vizsla.
- Give your dog proper toys and chew items to prevent them from eating grass.
- Give your dog high-quality food with fewer fillers that are rich in nutrients they need for their diet.
- Switch up the style of walking you do outdoors so it’s not too predictable which will give your Vizsla more things to smell, taste, or explore than just grass.
- If you have a garden and your Vizsla likes to eat the grass, put up an electric fence around it. This way they cannot find an opportunity to drink from or eat what’s in there.
The main idea is that if you are consistent with these recommendations, eventually your dog will stop eating grass without much of a problem. But if your Vizsla is still persistent about eating grass despite all these efforts, then it’s best to consult with your veterinarian to get some professional advice.
Conclusion
In the end, we have to give our Vizsla what they want. So if your dog is hungry, be sure that he has plenty of fresh water and a healthy diet.
If you’ve been wondering Why Is My Vizsla Always Eating Grass? hopefully, these tips will help keep them on the right track.
But it is up to you what the best options are for your dog. There are many ways to stop them from eating grass, but it may take time and patience in order for these methods to work out the way that you want them to. Some people prefer not using any of these solutions, since they do not cause harm or distress to their dogs whatsoever.
We hope this article was able to clear some of your doubts. If you have any questions and suggestions please let us know through the comments.
