Petmanacs.com
Pets Articles Complete List of Pet Articles @ PetManiacs.com | Home
SHOP for PET SUPPLIES
Apparel & Accessories Beds & Furniture Carriers & Travel Accessories
Collars, Harnesses & Leashes Crates & Kennels Doors, Gates & Ramps
Feeding & Watering Supplies Flea & Tick Control Food
Grooming Health Supplies Houses & Habitats
Litter & Housebreaking Pet Memorials Toys
Training & Behavior Aids Treats

Why Does My Pet Eat Grass?


Are you concerned when your dog or cat eats grass, then throws up afterwards? You'll probably feel relieved to know that pets eat grass because their bodies need it.

Dogs and cats have been eating grass for a long time. In fact, grass is so popular among dogs that one species, dog grass, is named after them. Dog grass is also known as couch grass and quackweed, and it grows in all but the southern-most states.

You can think of grass as an herbal medicine. It acts as an internal cleanser, expelling excess mucus, bile, and other impurities. It also cleanses the bowels and expels worms. Cereal grasses contain enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Grass also contains chlorophyll, which was used for relieving pain, treating infections, ulcers, skin diseases, and anemia prior to the use of antibiotics.

Some pet owners grow grass specifically to give to their pets to prevent or treat diarrhea, anemia, cataracts, fleas, tumors excessive shedding, and other pet health problems. Pets that are fed grass on a regular basis are less likely to crave outdoor grass. So, if you don't feel comfortable with your pet eating the grass in your lawn, you may want to grow your own grass for them to eat.

Try growing rye or barley sprouts. These sprouts are preferred over wheat grass because some animals are sensitive to wheat.

Follow these instructions to grow rye or barley grass. Soak one cup organically grown grain in one quart water for 8 to 10 hours. Then drain the container and leave it on its side in a warm place, away from direct sunlight. A tiny white rootlet will sprout from each grain within 24 to 48 hours. Caution: If you don't see these rootlets, your grain isn't viable and should be thrown away.

Next, spread the sprouting grain on one inch of moist potting soil or top soil in a plastic garden tray. For drainage create a one inch channel around the soil.

For two days, cover the tray. Then uncover it, and water thoroughly. Place the tray in direct sunlight or under grow lights. Keep the soil moist by watering when needed.

When the grass is 6-8" tall, cut it with scissors or a sharp knife. Place grasses in a ziploc bag, along with a damp paper towel. Be sure to expel air from the bag before sealing. Then store the grass in the refrigerator.

When feeding the grass to your pet, cut or mince it into tiny pieces, or place a small amount in a blender or food processor with other foods. To be sure your cat or dog will accept the grass, begin feeding just a fraction of a teaspoon. Increase the amount gradually to approximately one tablespoon per 50 lbs. of body weight.

Once your pet is given the amount of grass his body needs, you probably won't be seeing him eating the grass in your lawn. And you can feel relieved knowing that you're feeding him something that he craves and that his body needs.

Deena Caruso, author, teacher, & distributor of natural pet productsHelps pet owners create healthy, happy pets.To receive FREE "Pet Pointers" Newsletter, go to:http://www.healthyfoodforpets.com

deecaruso@cox.net Ph: 760/758-7963, 877/877-0665


MORE RESOURCES:
familypets - Google News
Weekend fraught with accidental fires - Roanoke Times

Weekend fraught with accidental fires
Roanoke Times
One fire killed the family pets. By Amanda Codispoti Four accidental fires in three days kept Roanoke County firefighters busy. A firefighter was slightly ...

and more »
Family's Pets Attack Child - WGCL Atlanta

Family's Pets Attack Child
WGCL Atlanta
A 3-year-old boy is in the hospital after he was bitten by his family's pets. Frank Harris lives nearby. He is the only witness and perhaps hero. ...

4 pets die in Fond du Lac house fire - WKBT

4 pets die in Fond du Lac house fire
WKBT
AP - March 8, 2010 9:55 PM ET FOND DU LAC, Wis. (AP) - A house fire in Fond du Lac has killed at least three dogs and a cat and left a family of 4 displaced ...

and more »
Your Family Pet: March 9, 2010 - KSBY

Your Family Pet: March 9, 2010
KSBY
It's time for Your Family Pet. Here's your new running buddy, Apollo. He's a 2-year old Siberian Husky. Apollo is our resident gentle giant - friendly ...

Before baby comes home, ready family pets for new arrival - Atlanta Journal Constitution

Before baby comes home, ready family pets for new arrival
Atlanta Journal Constitution
When Megan and Bill Lobe learned they were pregnant with their first child, they quickly prepared for their new baby's arrival. ...

Family safe after garage fire spreads to home - WAOW

Family safe after garage fire spreads to home
WAOW
They were able to escape, along with the family pets. A 911 call reporting the fire came in just before 11:00 PM, Tuesday. By the time fire crews arrived on ...

and more »
Man burned, family pets killed in house fire near Tropicana & Rainbow - KTNV Las Vegas

Man burned, family pets killed in house fire near Tropicana & Rainbow
KTNV Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) - Investigators are looking into the cause of a house fire that left a man with severe burns and killed three family pets. ...

and more »
Roy family, pets escape house fire - StandardNet

KSL-TV

Roy family, pets escape house fire
StandardNet
ROY -- Curious neighbors peeked inside a home that was badly damaged by fire early Wednesday morning, ...
Heat lamp for duck blamed in Roy house fireDeseret News
Overnight fire displaces Roy familyStandardNet

all 7 news articles »
Jackson is a shepherd-husky mix ready to be your pal - Asheville Citizen-Times

Jackson is a shepherd-husky mix ready to be your pal
Asheville Citizen-Times
Jackson is a 7-month-old neutered male Australian shepherd-Siberian husky mix who is thriving in his foster home while waiting for his forever family. Pets ...

and more »
Dixie dog transport saves lives - Waynesville Smoky Mountain News

Dixie dog transport saves lives
Waynesville Smoky Mountain News
... reminder that the culture of pet-owning in Western North Carolina needs to change to include the spaying and neutering of family pets and hunting dogs. ...

and more »
RSS integration by RSSinclude


PetManiacs.com's Free! Pet Classified Ads
Click here to Post your ads | View by Location | View by Subject
Click here to Post your ads | View by Location | View by Subject


Pet Website Owners Wanted


SHOP for PET SUPPLIES
Apparel & Accessories Beds & Furniture Carriers & Travel Accessories
Collars, Harnesses & Leashes Crates & Kennels Doors, Gates & Ramps
Feeding & Watering Supplies Flea & Tick Control Food
Grooming Health Supplies Houses & Habitats
Litter & Housebreaking Pet Memorials Toys
Training & Behavior Aids Treats


Pet Maniacs home | site map | Pet Article List
© 2006