Dogs bring a lot of joy to our lives as pets, but they can sometimes exhibit some unexpected behaviours. Dog sneezing and grass eating are two of the most common behaviours that can confuse owners. However, these behaviours are not just coincidences, but can have meaningful reasons. In this blog post, we'll explore why dogs sneeze, why they eat grass, and what allergies they might be suffering from.
Why Do Dogs Eat Grass?
The reason a dog eats grass can be attributed to a variety of factors. Some possible reasons include Digestive issues: Grass can help dogs resolve digestive issues or clear their stomachs. The grass may irritate the stomach, causing the dog to vomit or relieve indigestion.
Natural intake: Your dog's ancestors ate grass in their natural environment to get a variety of nutrients and fibre, so it may be instinctive for your dog to eat grass.
Relieving skin problems: Dogs experiencing itching or skin problems may try to relieve skin irritation by eating grass.
Psychological factors: Anxious or bored dogs may also eat grass. They may be trying to relieve their anxiety or boredom by eating grass.
Taste: Some dogs may eat grass because they like the taste of it.
If your dog's grass eating is temporary and occasional, there's nothing to worry about. However, if your dog is consistently eating grass or exhibiting other strange behaviours, you may want to consult a veterinarian to determine your dog's health and take appropriate action.
10 food allergies for dog
Grains (corn, wheat, alternative grains):
Grain allergies can cause a variety of symptoms in dogs, including skin rashes, itching, and rhinitis. Suitable alternatives include potatoes, sweet potatoes, rice, and corn.
Cow's milk products:
Allergies to cow-derived foods can cause gastrointestinal problems, diarrhea, vomiting, and gas formation. You can consider sheep or goat dairy products and lactose-free dairy products as alternatives.
Chicken:
Chicken allergies can cause itching, inflammation, and digestive problems. You can try other meats such as lamb, beef, and pork as alternatives.
Beef:
A beef allergy can cause skin rashes, itching, indigestion, and more. Alternatives include lamb, pork, and chicken.
Lamb:
Lamb allergies can cause skin problems and digestive issues. You can substitute other protein sources such as beef, pork, and chicken.
Eggs:
Egg allergies can cause skin rashes, vomiting, and diarrhea. You can substitute other protein sources or try products that have been sprayed with egg.
Fish:
Fish allergies can cause vomiting, diarrhea, skin rashes, and more. You can try substituting other meats or protein sources.
Soy:
Soy allergies can cause digestive problems and skin symptoms. You may want to consider a meat or vegetable-based diet as an alternative.
Wheat:
Wheat allergies can cause skin rashes, itching, digestive issues, and more. You can replace it with other carbohydrates or try an alternative diet.
Tomatoes:
Tomato allergies can cause skin problems and indigestion. You can try different dietary adjustments, considering vegetables and fruits as alternatives.
Why dog sneezes?
The reason a dog sneezes can be due to a variety of factors. Here are some examples of why dogs sneeze.
Irritation: Exposure to external irritants, such as dust, chemicals, perfume, or grass, can irritate a dog's nose and cause it to sneeze.
Colds or infections: Dogs can also catch colds, which can cause inflammation of the nose and bronchial tubes, leading to sneezing.
Allergies: Environmental or food allergies can irritate a dog's nose or the tissues around the nose, causing them to sneeze.
Non-surgical factors: Water can get into the nose during bathing, or long hair can irritate the area around the nose, causing sneezing.
Behavioural factors: Dogs can sneeze when they are playing or excited. This is a normal reaction that can occur when they are happy or energetic.
Pathogens or viruses: Sneezing can also occur when a dog is infected with an infectious disease or a virus such as influenza.
Nervous factors: Sometimes nervous stress or anxiety can cause a dog to sneeze.
If your dog is sneezing, it's important to note the circumstances and frequency, consider it alongside other symptoms, and consult your veterinarian to determine the exact cause and take appropriate action.