it’s a common behavior that puzzles many chihuahua owners, but why do they do it?
pica is the medical term that refers to a dog’s craving of a non-food item and the subsequent eating of that item. occasionally pica indicates that your dog has a nutritional deficiency, but it can also be a sign of boredom, which is common in puppies and younger dogs.
your chihuahua may act frantic, whimper and cry when they eat grass, then shortly after they throw up, they will show signs of relief because they feel better and just had to clean out their system.
reasons why your chihuahua is eating grass:
- gastrointestinal upset
- improving digestion
- nausea
- gas or bloating
- they ate something they shouldn’t have
- a virus or bacteria
- intestinal worms
- a need for fiber
- they’re under fed
- simply because they want to!
what to do if your chihuahua eats grass frequently
most veterinarians consider occasional grass eating a normal dog behavior that usually doesn’t result in problems, but if your chihuahua is eating grass frequently, it’s time to reevaluate their diet.
consider switching brands of food, flavors and protein sources. you can also try a raw diet, where you feed them only uncooked and unprocessed foods. a holistic veterinarian can help you with this.
you can also try adding probiotics and digestive enzymes to your chihuahua’s food. probiotics provide your chihuahua with good bacteria that they need to maintain healthy levels of beneficial bacteria that will help ward off potentially disease causing viruses and germs.
digestive enzymes provide your chihuahua with plenty of protease, amylase, lipase and cellulase.
- protease – helps break down and digest protein
- amylase – helps break down and digest carbohydrates and starches
- lipase – helps break down and digest fat
- cellulase – helps break down fiber
it is also important to use only non-toxic products on your lawn to keep them free of pesticides, chemicals and other harmful substances.
if you think your chihuahua has ingested a potentially poisonous pesticide, chemical or harmful substance, call the animal poison control center (aspca) 24/7 emergency hotline at (888) 426-4435
references: petmd.com/dog/conditions/digestive/c_multi_coprophagia_and_pica
pets.webmd.com/dogs/why-do-dogs-eat-grass
healthypets.mercola.com/probiotics-are-your-dogs-best-defense-against-disease.aspx
Follow Famous Chihuahua on Istagram
