There have been many theories suggested, but because dogs don't answer questions when we ask them, we can't be 100% sure. Most vets agree that eating grass probably helps soothe a dog's upset stomach.
A lack of roughage affects the dog's ability to digest food and pass stool, so grass may actually help their bodily functions run more smoothly. Caution: If your turf-munching dog shows signs of stomach discomfort, he may have a medical problem such as gastric reflux, inflammatory bowel disease, or pancreatitis.
Whatever the reason, most experts believe it's okay to let your dog eat grass. But they do suggest a couple of caveats: If the grass is eaten in gulps and your dog vomits, or there is a sudden increase in grass eating, it's time to talk with your veterinarian.
Boiled chicken
This bland meal can help to settle your dog's stomach and provide much-needed nutrients in an easily digestible form. Remove any bones or skin from the chicken before giving it to your dog. It can be shredded into small pieces and is often mixed with plain boiled rice.
Most mild cases of gastroenteritis improve within one to two days, but if your dog has been vomiting or passing a lot of diarrhoea they may become poorly through dehydration. You know your dog best. If they don't have the symptoms listed above but you are still concerned it's always best to contact your vet.
If they keep eating grass and vomiting, you should take them to see the vet. If you're ever concerned that this might not be a normal behavior, it is best to consult your vet immediately.
If your dog has an upset stomach, they may also use leaves and grass as a way to make themselves vomit and get rid of whatever is causing them gastrointestinal pain. Leaves and grass are not technically harmful, but, in large amounts, they can cause a blockage, especially in puppies.
Possible causes of a dog vomiting or regurgitating white foam include indigestion, acid reflux, dietary indiscretions, infections, heat stroke, kidney disease, parvo, pancreatitis, and bloat (many dogs with kennel cough may also bring up white foam, which can be mistaken for vomiting).
However, everything in moderation. While ingesting a small amount of grass is fine, and many dogs love the taste of fresh grass, eating too much may act as an irritant causing the dog to vomit. And in some cases, excessive amounts can even potentially cause intestinal blockages.
If you notice that your pup is wolfing down grass in big mouthfuls at rapid speed, then this may be one of the many signs of a dog's upset stomach. Either it was something they recently ate that didn't agree with their stomach, or they might be dealing with some acid reflux problems, just like humans.
What are the clinical signs of pancreatitis? The most common clinical signs include nausea, vomiting, fever, lethargy, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and decreased appetite. During an attack, dogs may take a 'praying position', with their rear end up in the air and their front legs and head lowered onto the floor.
Withhold food for 12 to 24 hours
Your veterinarian may also recommend medications to help manage the vomiting or diarrhea, or probiotics to help firm up stools by restoring the natural balance of beneficial bacteria to the gut.
Signs of an Upset Stomach in a Dog
The most obvious symptoms are vomiting, diarrhea, pacing, or loss of appetite. If your dog is having severe vomiting, fever, or bloody diarrhea, you need to visit a vet immediately. Any of these symptoms may signal that something serious is going on with your dog.
Dogs tend to think the grass will give them fiber to help with any indigestion. However, grass has little to any nutritional value to add to your dog's diet. Add more fiber to your dog's diet by giving it steamed broccoli, carrots, or string beans throughout the day.
If it's a continuous cycle of eating grass and vomiting, and then quickly eating grass again and repeating the cycle, then it's a good idea to consult a vet. If your dog is displaying a pica-like obsession with eating grass or any non-food items, get them to a vet sooner rather than later.
They're Bored or Seeking Attention
“Just because your dog is chewing grass does not automatically indicate that it has gastrointestinal upset, has a lack of fiber or is nutritionally deficient,” Golla says. “Some dogs will chew, eat, and consume grass simply out of boredom or because they can.” Dogs are also smart.
Digestive Issues
Although this isn't very common, some dogs eat grass if they are feeling unwell or if they have intestinal worms.
Yellow vomit in dogs can be caused by a variety of factors such as bile buildup, food allergies, empty stomach, intestinal blockage, or worse, liver disease. Regardless of the cause, your dog's gastrointestinal tract is trying to tell you something and it's important that you find out the underlying cause.
Chicken and Rice
White rice is lower in nutritional value than brown rice, but its blandness makes it more suitable for upset stomachs. Oils, butter, and added seasonings can irritate your dog's stomach and make the problem worse, so stick with plain boiled chicken and rice and save the extra stuff for your own meal.
This may not always be apparent, but you can check by gently feeling your dog's stomach and local areas. If they react with pain, you know there's a gastric issue. Also, frequent whimpering is an obvious symptom that they're in distress.
Acute gastro describes the sudden or recent onset of vomiting and/or abnormally liquid stools that resolves quickly (usually within a few days). If it persists for 2 weeks or more, then it's considered chronic.
Scrambled eggs are good if your canine companion is suffering from diarrhea or vomiting. Start by offering a small amount of the cooled eggs, every couple of hours, and if this is kept down you can slowly increase the amount. As things improve you can add a little plain cottage cheese or some plain boiled rice.
Canned Pumpkin
“It has a low glycemic index, so it slowly absorbs, which helps with upset stomach and digestion,” Dr. Bearman says. Make sure to get 100% canned pumpkin, not pumpkin pie mix, as you don't want to feed your dog spices and other ingredients, she says.