I stop to smell the lilacs - and the dogs eat grass!

The store is closed on Mondays - and it was such a beautiful day that I took the dogs to the Arboretum in Jamaica Plain so I could see/smell the Lilacs which are usually in full bloom around Mothers Day. Well they were magnificent - should have brought the camera. The dogs could not get enough of the park - the problem was all they wanted to do was stop and eat the grass. This happens every Spring - they seem to go after the newly growing grass and flower tips. Then inevitably they throw up. What gives? Why do dogs eat grass? Lot's of opinions out there.

“This is one of the most common questions I get from dog owners,” explained Dr. Michael Levine, DVM, who added, “Sometimes, it’s an indication of something else, like an upset stomach or a diet low in fiber, but it can also be due to something more simple – some dogs simply enjoy the taste of grass.”Read more: "Why is My Dog Eating Grass? Causes for a Canine’s Urge to Eat Grass Suite101.com" - http://dogs.suite101.com/article.cfm/why_is_my_dog_eating_grass#ixzz0FJcDeAey&A

On http://www.wisegeek.com/ - they say " Some dogs take a few nibbles (that is what Kanji does), while others eat quickly, barely chewing the grass (that's what Decia does). Unchewed grass often translates to near instant vomiting. Dogs that are careful grazers, on the other hand, may not get sick from grass. The latter case suggests that some dogs eat grass because they enjoy it.(I think that's Kanji). Most dogs don’t need it to supplement their diets, but because dog diets are primarily made up of herbivores, that grassy taste may be reminiscent of the cattle or lamb product they had for dinner.

Veterinarians still aren't sure if dogs eat grass because their stomachs are upset or if their stomachs get upset after they eat grass. However, many vets suspect it's the former, because dogs who are energetic and perky seem to be able to eat grass without getting sick afterward. It seems likely that there's something in grass that does stimulate the urge to vomit. Often this is the case with Kanji - is he Bulimic?

Bottom line: In any case, grass eating is basically a normal behavior, and is not of concern unless your dog does it excessively. It does make walking the dogs in the park a little difficult - but now the arboretum doesn't need to be mowed today!