Why is my Great Dane Eating Grass
Why Do Great Danes Eat Grass
Woof! Let me tell you why I, a Great Dane, love munching on that green stuff in the yard.
First off, it’s in my DNA! My wild dog ancestors ate grass way before humans invented kibble. So when I’m out there chomping away, I’m just following my ancient instincts. Pretty cool, right?
Sometimes my tummy feels weird after eating too fast (which happens a lot because, hello, I’m huge and always hungry!). Grass is like nature’s medicine cabinet. It helps settle my stomach or sometimes makes me throw up when I need to feel better. I know it sounds gross to you humans, but trust me, it works!
Then there are those days when I’m super bored. You’ve been at work all day, and I’ve already destroyed my favorite squeaky toy. What’s a giant dog to do? Eat grass! It’s like scrolling through your phone in my version.
When I’m feeling anxious – maybe there are fireworks or the vacuum cleaner is out – grass becomes my comfort food. It’s like stress eating, but healthier than raiding the garbage can.
Plus, have you ever noticed how satisfying it is to crunch through grass? My kibble is OK, but the grass has this amazing texture that feels so good between my teeth. It’s like nature’s potato chips!
So next time you see me grazing like a cow, don’t worry. I’m just being a perfectly normal Great Dane doing perfectly normal dog things!
Relieving an Upset Stomach
Woof! Let me tell you about my secret remedy when my tummy feels yucky.
When my belly starts doing somersaults, I know exactly what to do – head straight for the backyard salad bar! My humans always give me the strangest looks when I start munching on grass like I’m some giant cow. But hey, don’t judge a Great Dane by his dining choices!
When my tummy feels off, it’s grass time! Who cares if I look like a giant cow?
Here’s the thing – us dogs have been doing this way before humans figured out fancy stomach medicines. When I chomp on those green blades, it’s like nature’s reset button for my stomach. Sometimes it makes me throw up (sorry, humans!), but that actually helps get rid of whatever is making me feel gross inside.
My mom always panics when she sees me grazing in the yard. “What are you doing, you silly giant?” she says. But I know what I’m doing! This grass thing is like having a built-in pharmacy right in our backyard.
Plus, it adds some roughage to help things move along in my digestive system, if you know what I mean. Eating grass may also be a sign of an upset stomach relief that many dogs instinctively seek out.
The best part? It’s free, always available, and way tastier than those chalky pills the vet sometimes gives me. Though I’ve to admit, my humans get pretty worried when I keep doing this for days. That’s when they drag me to see Dr. Peterson for a proper checkup.
Trust me, we dogs have some pretty smart instincts!
Increasing Dietary Fiber
You know how sometimes we munch on grass when our bellies feel funny? Well, that’s actually our smart doggy instincts telling us we need more fiber in our diet. Fiber is like a superhero for our digestive system. It keeps everything moving smoothly through our giant bodies and helps us absorb all the good stuff from our food. Plus, ensuring we have the right calcium-to-phosphorus ratios in our diet can also support our overall health and development.
Trust me, when you’re as big as I am, you need all the digestive help you can get! Here are some tasty fiber sources that our humans can add to our bowls:
| Fiber Source | Benefits | How Much for Us Giants |
|---|---|---|
| Pumpkin | Makes our tummies happy | 1/4 cup per meal |
| Green Beans | Crunchy and good for our waistlines | 1/2 cup per meal |
| Sweet Potatoes | Packed with vitamins and yumminess | 1/4 cup per meal |
| Oats | Keeps our guts healthy and strong | 1/4 cup per meal |
The best part? These foods actually taste pretty good! Way better than that time I tried to eat a tennis ball. My human wasn’t pleased about that one. Adding these fiber-rich foods to our meals helps keep us healthy, happy, and ready for all our important napping duties.
Genetic Instinct and Ancestry
So get this – when I’m out in the yard and suddenly feel like having a salad, I’m basically doing what my great-great-great (and about a thousand more greats) grandparents used to do! Back in the day, before we humans brought us those fancy kibble bowls, our wild dog ancestors were out there munching on plants and grass all the time.
Why did they do it? Well, sometimes their tummies felt a little off, and eating certain plants helped them feel better. Other times, if they accidentally ate something yucky, the plants helped clean out their systems. Pretty smart, right?
Even though I live in a cozy house now and get my meals served on schedule, my brain still remembers these old tricks. It’s like having a built-in instruction manual that says, “When in doubt, try some grass!” This instinctual behavior is part of their ancestral dietary habits, which allowed them to thrive in the wild.
My DNA is basically telling me, “Hey buddy, this worked for your family for thousands of years, so why stop now?”
Taste and Texture Preference
Just like you have favorite snacks, we dogs have our taste preferences too. Sometimes I get bored eating the same old kibble every day, so I decide to become a grass connoisseur! I’ll wander around the yard, sniffing different patches of grass like I’m at some fancy restaurant.
” Hmm, this clover looks interesting,” I think to myself. “And oh, what’s this dandelion doing here?”
The best part about grass? It’s crunchy! After eating soft kibble all the time, grass gives my giant jaws something fun to work on. It’s like nature’s potato chips, except way healthier, and my humans don’t yell at me for eating too many.
I think my wild dog ancestors were pretty smart. They knew that sometimes you need a little fiber in your diet, and grass is perfect for that. My body seems to understand this, too – sometimes I get this urge to go find some green stuff to chomp on. However, it’s important to be cautious, as some plants can be toxic to dogs, leading to serious health issues if ingested.
Behavioral Causes: Boredom and Anxiety
When I’m bored out of my gigantic mind, guess what looks super appealing? Your perfectly manicured grass! It’s like nature’s potato chips for dogs. Sometimes when my humans forget to give me enough playtime (which happens way too often, by the way), I get so restless that I could bounce off the walls. But since I’m already tall enough to reach the ceiling practically, I take my energy outside and start grazing like a cow.
Anxiety is another big reason we become four-legged weed whackers. When I’m stressed about thunderstorms or when my favorite humans leave for work, chomping on grass helps calm my nerves. It’s like meditation, but crunchier, and it makes my breath smell weird. Regular exercise and physical activity can significantly reduce my anxiety levels.
The good news is that you humans can totally help us out here! Keep us busy with games, walks, and toys.
Trust me, a tired Great Dane is a happy Great Dane who won’t redecorate your yard with bite marks. Give us plenty of attention and exercise, and we’ll be way less likely to mistake your backyard for an all-you-can-eat salad bar.
Final Thoughts
So there I was, minding my own business in the backyard, when I spotted it – the most delicious-looking patch of grass ever! My humans always scratch their heads when they catch me chomping away like I’m at an all-you-can-eat salad bar. “Why does our giant dog think he’s a cow?” they wonder.
Well, let me tell you the real scoop! Sometimes my tummy feels a little funky, and guess what? Grass is like nature’s antacid for us, Great Danes. It’s like having a pharmacy right in the backyard, except way more fun to eat. Plus, when I need to throw up something that didn’t agree with me, grass helps me do it – though my humans don’t seem to appreciate this helpful feature.
But honestly? Sometimes I eat grass just because it tastes good and I’m curious. I mean, when you’re my size, you’ve got to explore all your food options, right? It’s also pretty entertaining to watch my humans panic and try to drag me away from my green feast. The look on their faces is priceless!
So next time you see me grazing like a giant horse, remember – I’m not broken, I’m just being my awesome Great Dane self!
References
- https://greatdanecare.com/why-do-great-danes-eat-grass/
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/advice/why-does-my-dog-eat-grass/
- https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/why-do-dogs-eat-grass
- https://www.pawlicy.com/blog/why-dogs-eat-grass/
- https://www.greatdanelady.com/articles/why_does_my_dog_eat_grass.htm
