Why Dogs Eat Grass Like a Cow and Eat Rabbit Poop Like Popcorn
One possibility is hunger. Sometimes their stomachs are empty because they didn’t eat their kibble or canned food. Even if they ate their kibble or canned food, kibble and canned food are high heat processed. The process by which kibble and canned food is made leaves the food nutrient deficient. There’s not much nutritional value left over. One reason why dogs eat grass like cows and rabbit poop like popcorn is because they’re malnourished.
A dog’s stomach is more acidic than ours. This allows for digestion of raw food, raw bones, and to kill bacteria. Many dogs forgo kibble and wet food because it’s highly processed. Because they have an empty stomach they seek grass or plant material to absorb the acid in their empty stomach. Grass doesn’t make them sick, it’s because they have an empty stomach that they eat grass, to absorb the acid. They vomit bile which happens to have the grass that they ate in an effort to absorb the acid.
Rabbit poop – or whatever they find – might be the freshest food available. When a dog is fed enough and has a variety of fresh food, the dog is less likely to eat rabbit poop or whatever else they find.
When a dog is fed kibble or canned food they’re more likely to spend their time out on walks desperately looking for food and miss out on the joys in life because they’re so hungry and preoccupied with finding food.
Another possible contributing factor for why they might swallow things like rabbit poop or grass or plants or whatever is if we look at or say anything, including: “No,” “Drop it,” or “Leave it” when they are onto rabbit poop or grass or plants or whatever, we reinforce the behavior and they learn to eat rabbit poop or grass or plants or whatever.
What Can You Do About This Behavior?
When a dog is fed a variety of fresh food and has had enough – and when they aren’t hungry or nutrient deficient – then when they come upon food out on the walk they’re less likely to eat it. The dog will be less likely to want to eat grass. So, first start by feeding your dog a variety of fresh food.
Another thing is this. If you let them check out whatever they find on the ground, if you’re quiet and look away and are being aware without staring, they typically eventually leave it. If not, and if you’d rather they didn’t eat it, show them the hand signal that tells them to leave it. Remember, they’re much less likely to eat it if they’ve already been fed a variety of fresh food. If you yell and go at them, that’s a sure fire way to get them to inhale whatever it is. And if you pull on the leash, that also creates a greater likelihood that they’ll swallow it. Be quiet, look away, move away, and refrain from pulling on the leash (helps to have a 10-foot leash); your dog is less likely to swallow whatever it is. So if your dog is eating grass or rabbit poop regularly, first consider what you are feeding them and then how you handle situations when they may be in a position to eat “unusual” things.
Dogs Typically Aren’t Finicky Eaters
They just don’t like highly processed, preservative packed “food.” Offer a variety of fresh food. They’ll be less likely to be scavenging for food out on the walks and more likely to be enjoying other things.
Life is more enriching when one’s belly is satiated with a variety of fresh food.
About the Author:
Lennox Armstrong is an International Dog Trainer School (IDTS) certified Dog Trainer, Calming Signals and Dog Behavior Specialist through the Nordic Education Centre for Ethical Dog Training. His primary professional focus is educating himself and others about how to take care of canines.
