It’s the million-dollar question on every dog parent’s mind: Why does my dog eat grass?
According to petmd.com, “The modern dog, partly because of evolution and domestication, is no longer like its ancestors, which frequently ate their prey entirely, including the stomach contents of plant-eating animals. Instead, dogs today seek out plants as an alternative food source. Most commonly the plant is grass – since that is what is closest at hand – but wild canines are known to eat fruits, berries and other vegetable matter, too.”
So, it’s a nature vs. nurture thing? Maybe.

No Puking, Please

Better yet, why does my dog eat grass and then throw up?
Apparently, when dogs eat blades of grass, the tiny “hairs” on the blade tickle their throats and stomach, which causes your dog to vomit. It’s often said that dogs eat grass when they’re not feeling good and this is somewhat true, because vomiting gets the bad stuff out.
However, don’t get too worried when you see Fido munching on some grass. He’s probably fine and just, well, likes it.
“Typically, dogs will chew and graze more when they are feeling well. The more they chew the grass, the more the blade becomes saturated with saliva, and in becoming so, it is less ‘tickly’ as they swallow. These dogs may just be craving some roughage in their diet, or may find the texture appealing,” notes vetlive.com.

Got Grass?

You can relax, because most vets see no problem in letting your dog eat grass. Interestingly, grass could contain essential nutrients your dog craves. This is more typical among dogs on a commercial diet.
Petmd.com says, “If you notice that your dog has been munching away on grass or houseplants, then you may want to introduce natural herbs or cooked vegetables into their diet. Dogs aren’t finicky like cats, but they’re not too fond of raw veggies either. They’re kind of like big furry kids that way.”
Another thing you can do is give your dog his own patch of grass to munch on, as one of the biggest concerns about dogs eating grass is that most lawns are treated with chemicals that could make your dog very, very sick. By giving him a patch to snack on, you are ensuring that your dog is safe from ingesting harmful substances.
You could also give your dog a daily multivitamin with green tea and reishi to further safeguard his health and well-being.
Originally posted:  MAY 1, 2013 By : Sonya Simpkins on Ilovedogs.com

If you have a dog or cat that became ill after eating jerky pet treats, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would like to hear from you or your veterinarian.
The agency has repeatedly issued alerts to consumers about reports it has received concerning jerky pet treat-related illnesses involving 3,600 dogs and 10 cats in the U.S. since 2007. Approximately 580 of those pets have died.
Read the article in it entirety here:  Jerky Treats Making Pets Sick_1013 or on the FDA’s website here: http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm371413.htm