Hvorfor spiser hunde græs?

May 25, 2016 • yunus

Hvorfor spiser hunde græs?
Enhver hundeejer har set sit kæledyr styrte hen til døren blot for at kaste sig over den nærmeste græsplet. Selvom mange tror, at det er Fidos hurtige løsning til at få sig selv til at kaste op, har dyrlæger for længst aflivet denne myte. Hunde mangler også de enzymer, der er nødvendige for at fordøje græs, hvilket betyder, at der er meget lille ernæringsmæssig værdi i deres græsning. Så spørgsmålet står stadig: Hvorfor udviser hunde denne tilsyneladende meningsløse adfærd?
 
I modsætning til deres kattefæller er hunde ikke rendyrkede kødædere. I tusindvis af år levede hunde som opportunistiske altædere og åd stort set alt, der kunne dække deres ernæringsbehov. Moderne hunde spiser dog ikke længere som deres forfædre. Mens vilde hunde ofte spiste deres bytte i sin helhed, herunder maveindholdet fra planteædende dyr, får vores kæledyr en meget anderledes kost. Det kan forklare, hvorfor nogle opsøger græs som en alternativ fødekilde. Nogle mener, at græs hjælper med at forbedre fordøjelsen, især når Fido mangler fibre.
 
Selvom det kan være naturligt for hunde at spise plantemateriale, forklarer det ikke, hvorfor din firbenede ven nogle gange kaster op efter at have spist græs. Nogle mener, at hunde bevidst spiser græs for at få sig selv til at kaste op, når de ikke har det godt— for eksempel for at lindre kvalme eller oppustethed, rydde en blokeret fordøjelseskanal eller som reaktion på parasitter eller bakterier. Beviser tyder dog på, at langt de fleste hunde, der søger føde, ikke er syge, når de begynder at spise græs, og dyrlæger har fundet, at færre end en fjerdedel af de hunde, der regelmæssigt spiser græs, kaster op bagefter.
 
Mens nogle hunde opsøger græs og andet plantemateriale på grund af ernæringsmæssige mangler eller dårlig mave, mener dyrlæger, at mange tilfælde af “pica” — at spise ting, der ikke er mad, herunder græs — ganske enkelt er et tegn på kedsomhed. Hvis du har mistanke om, at din hunds pica skyldes for lidt stimulering, bør du sikre, at den får nok motion ved at aktivere den med sjove aktiviteter, såsom at lege interaktive lege sammen eller købe et tyggelegetøj. Hvis du derimod har mistanke om, at din hunds græsning skyldes en ernæringsmæssig mangel, kan du prøve at skifte til et hundefoder af højere kvalitet med flere fibre. Nogle hunde bliver dog ved med at spise græs, simpelthen fordi de kan lide at spise det. Selv om eksperter er enige om, at græsning ikke i sig selv er skadelig, kan pesticider, der bruges på græsplæner, være giftige, hvis din firbenede ven indtager dem. Og selvom lidt græssnacking om eftermiddagen er normalt, bør du tage din hund til dyrlægen, hvis den virker utilpas eller ofte spiser græs for at kaste op, da det kan være tegn på underliggende helbredsproblemer.

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Kommentarer(8)

  1. Bob Lersch

    We have found that the dogs are trying to get MSM that is in the tips of the grass. Feeding them MSM stops the grass eating. They throw up the grass because they have absorbed the MSM and have no need for the grass itself.

  2. Richard

    What is MSM, and how do you feed it to your dog?

  3. Vickie

    What is MSM?

  4. Libby Henry

    My dogs like to eat only certain types of grassy plants. When we are out walking, they forage through what's growing on the side of the road, but only eat one kind of plant.

  5. Bob Lersch

    MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) is a natural supplement that is available at almost any health food store. The powdered version is easier to work with. 1/4 teaspoon for every 50 lbs seems to work well. I just sprinkle it on the food. It really helps old dogs and helps with skin issues too.

  6. Lisette

    My girl has always been a grass eater. She doesn't throw up afterwards. Just likes to nibble on blades every once in a while. She's always had a clean bill of health and feed her higher end kibble and veggies.

  7. Shelley Little

    My German Shepherd has eaten grass when hiking for over 7 1/2 years, she always throws it up after if she eats enough of it. I do believe it is because she has an upset tummy, however, she only eats a certain type of grass, I have never seen her munch down any of her own large lawn or any one elses. Most of the long bladed healthy looking green grass she eats grows along rivers or near water, or damper ground. Twice when I knew she was sick, she ate more of it, & vomited more. She won't vomit it if she has only eaten a few blades. My dog gets more exercise and outings than most are able to provide, and eats a top line of dog food that has kept her stool healthily consistent. I grew up on a hobby farm, it seems many vets still don't have answers, but I feel the only thing that causes this is an 'instinct', to rid anything that gets into there system that causes the least little bit of upset, & it doens't have to be much. Drinking unhealthy water at times is what I believe causes, it most of the time. If they are really forging for grass like crazy, and do it all the time, then they likely should see a vet. However, if your food is of good quality, and you allow your dog to eat any vegetables it might want is great and should be fed to them in their diet. Mine will only eat veggies if smothered in meat lol Dogs need lots of freedom, as in running in fields etc, and should be loved as part of the family, like children :) Their attachment is as strong as a child's and I believe much stronger even. Dogs need their grass, but like a certain type of grass, and I believe completely that it helps them rid themselves of 'troubles' ... good luck everyone with your animal family members! :) And thanks Bob Lersch for your information, I shall look into the MSM thing, sounds like this could be another reason they have this craving every so often, or often, depending :)

  8. R Godfrey

    My dog eats dirt as well as grass but never brings it up.
    She will dig a hole for the dirt..

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