Why dogs eat grass

The mystery of Fido's favorite green

According to an old proverb, if a dog is eating grass, it's going to rain. But most dogs eat grass whenever it's available. Many people believe that this habit is a purging tactic, since dogs vomit after eating grass (due to the :irritation caused by the tiny barbs on the blades). But Dr. Laura Robbins of The American Kennel Club's Canine Health Association suggests that grass eating could also be a behavioral tendency, since dogs are omnivores. "But to be honest," Robbins says, "nobody knows for sure." Maybe that rain theory isn't so farfetched.-Norman E. Johnson.

Copyright Hearst Magazines Aug 1998
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved