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What's up with our grass-eating dogs?

Tuesday 8/20: Sponsored by BARK - Dog friends, eating grass, flowers to avoid

šŸ¾ Start your day on the right pawā€¦

Puppy Cute Dog GIF by Speak for the Unspoken

ā€¦ and see the world through your dogā€™s eyes šŸ¾

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Dogs have a way of finding the people who need them and filling an emptiness we didn't even know we had.ā€

Thom Jones

Did you knowā€¦

How many eyelids do dogs have?

(scroll to the bottom to find the answer!)

Two Pit Bulls Befriend a Hummingbird

Meet Nick and Boston, two pit bulls whose gentleness seems to cast a spell on a curious hummingbird. Against all odds, a, typically skittish, hummingbird is drawn to Nick and Boston and swoops down to say hello in this video.

The magical moment happened one day while Nick and Boston were relaxing at home on the ranch in Brazil that they live on with their mom, Melrosi. The brave hummingbird got close enough to meet its new friends, beak-to-nose. In the sweet exchange, the pitties watched the hummingbird in awe and their calm demeanor was enough to invite the hummingbird back.

Melrosiā€™s sister, Edilene, told The Dodo that the hummingbird visits Nick and Boston regularly now. The little hummingbird has even started to build a new nest closer to their house and even rests on Nick and Bostonā€™s heads as they sleep. Their enchanting bond sounds like something straight out of a Disney movie, and itā€™s magical to know something like this exists in the world!

5 Reasons Your Dog is Munching on Grass

Iā€™ve lost count of how many times Iā€™ve seen my dogs eating grass. At this point, Iā€™m fully convinced that some of their spirit animals might just be a cow or a horse. Let me answer what weā€™re all wondering: yes, itā€™s perfectly normal for dogs to eat grassā€¦ as long as it isnā€™t an everyday habit, or if thereā€™s a sudden change in their behavior. We often believe dogs eat grass because they donā€™t feel good, but there are a few more theories. Here are five reasons why your dog might be snacking on grass.

  1. Upset Stomach

    Letā€™s get to the bottom of this: are our pups nibbling on grass blades because they have an upset stomach? Are they trying to make themselves throw up? Yes, dogs will eat grass when their tummies are bothering them. Grass helps settle their stomachs by bringing pH levels down and soothing the discomfort they feel.

    If your pup vomits bile ā€“ the yellow foam ā€“ thatā€™s a sure sign the grass eating is from tummy troubles. Bile typically indicates that their stomach is empty and bile can be very uncomfortable. Do you know how an empty stomach can make us feel so hungry that itā€™s almost nauseating? Thatā€™s how the bile sitting in our pupsā€™ tummies can feel like. So, eating grass helps them get rid of it and feel better. Some dogs can benefit from a little breakfast to keep that bile at bay.

  2. Itā€™s Instinct

    Letā€™s have a little history lesson. Dogs can crave grass as part of their genetic makeup: dogs are descended from wolves. Therefore, theyā€™re natural omnivores with an instinct to graze and forage. Dogā€™s digestive systems and dietary needs have all evolved to adapt to the lifestyle of domestication.

    Think about it: our pupā€™s ancestors werenā€™t eating kibble or packaged treats. No, wild canines didnā€™t rely on grass as their main source of nutrients either. But, they naturally balanced their diets by eating what they hunted which included everything: meat, bones, internal organs, and stomach contents of their prey, which usually contained grass that fulfilled their need for fiber! Pretty cool, huh?

  3. Boredom

    Sometimes, dogs eating grass can boil down to plain old boredom. Just like we mindlessly reach for a bag of pretzels when weā€™re not really hungry, but thereā€™s nothing better going on, dogs can resort to grass snacking for a little entertainment.

    Especially for pups who spend too much time indoors or donā€™t have enough interaction during their outside time, grass can end up being the highlight of their day. So, letā€™s remember to keep our dogs busy with plenty of exercise, playtime, and mental stimulation ā€“ because a well-stimulated dog is a happy (and less grass-obsessed) dog!

  4. A Lack of Fiber

    Eating grass may be your dogā€™s way of making up for nutritional deficiencies in their diet. Fiber is the main culprit here. Dogs need roughage and fiber in their diets, and grass is a good source. A lack of roughage affects the way our pups digest food and pass stool, so grass can help their bodily functions run more smoothly. If itā€™s common for your doggo to have soft stool or constipation regularly, then fiber may be just what they need!

    If you think this is the reason why your dog is eating grass, then itā€™s wise to reassess their diet to make sure theyā€™re getting what they need. Some fruits and vegetables that are high in fiber and safe to give to your pup in moderation are blueberries, carrots, apples (without the core and seeds), cantaloupe, watermelon, cucumbers, pumpkin, broccoli, celery, and green beans.

  5. Grass is Tasty

    For some dogs, their reason for eating grass may be as simple as just liking the taste and texture of it. Who can blame them? The wet, fragrant grass after rain is like natureā€™s very own salad bar, and the new grass growing at the beginning of spring is so fresh! For something as basic as grass, it does provide some seasonal variety.

    Regardless of why your dog munches on grass, itā€™s important to monitor their intake and make sure itā€™s not a daily habit or becoming excessive. If youā€™re away from your own yard, keep in mind that other grass may be treated with harmful herbicides and pesticides that can be toxic to your pup, as well as the potential presence of fecal residue from other dogs. Keep your grass muncher safe!

Unboxing Happiness: The Perks of Pet Subscription Boxes

I've got to admit, thereā€™s something almost magical about the moment a new pet subscription box arrives at your door. You can practically feel the excitement radiating from your furry friend before the box is even opened. It's like they just know that a treasure trove of goodies is waiting inside. These subscription boxes are a game-changer for pet owners, offering a fun and convenient way to discover new toys, treats, and accessories tailored to your pet's preferences.

The best part? Each box is a delightful surprise, filled with products that have been carefully selected to keep your pup entertained and healthy. Whether itā€™s a squeaky toy that quickly becomes a favorite or a treat that has your pet doing happy spins, the joy these boxes bring is undeniable. Plus, with new items arriving regularly, your petā€™s routine stays fresh and exciting, which means fewer chances of boredom and more wagging tails!

Celebrate National Dog Day the Right Way

For dog lovers, National Dog Day is an essential holiday to celebrate. Itā€™s the perfect occasion to shower your dog in love and treat them to an extra special gift, like BarkBox!

BarkBox is a monthly themed box of toys, treats and unleashed joy, thoughtfully designed to satisfy every dogā€™s unique playstyle. Right now for National Dog Day, reward your pup when you purchase BarkBox, and for a limited time only enjoy a $5 first box!

Thank you to Bark for sponsoring Daily Dig.

Flowers to Keep Away From Your Dog

Some dogs like to be extra curious and might like to nibble on more than just grass. Itā€™s important to be aware of the plants in your surroundings ā€“ as pretty as some flowers and plants are, they can be toxic or even deadly to your pup. Read on to learn about the common plants you might find in your neighborā€™s garden, along landscaped paths, and in the wild.

Milkweed. We recognize milkweed for its striking pink clusters of flowers that attract pollinators, especially butterflies. However, these beautiful plants are toxic to dogs, and ingestion can lead to cardiovascular symptoms such as abnormal heart rhythm and heart rate. The primary toxin in milkweed is galitoxin, which is responsible for causing tremors, nervousness, and seizures.

Oleander. Oleander is a large, outdoor shrub (or small tree) with beautiful delicate flowers known for its evergreen qualities. Itā€™s commonly found in warm climates in states like Hawaii, California, and Texas. All parts of this plant are poisonous and contain naturally occurring poisons that affect the heart.

Tulips. Despite being one of the most popular flowers, tulips are toxic to dogs. Every part of the plant is harmful, but the bulb contains the highest concentration of toxic substances. Ingesting tulips can irritate your pupā€™s mouth and stomach, and in more severe cases, symptoms could escalate to heart issues and difficulty breathing.

Daffodils. Daffodils are commonly planted and loved for their golden colors and distinctive trumpet-shaped blooms. However, they contain a toxic compound called lycorine that can gastrointestinal upset in dogs. While daffodil poisoning usually isnā€™t life-threatening, itā€™s still important to prevent our pups from ingesting them to avoid any tummy troubles.

Hydrangea. These brightly colored flowers contain cyanogenic glycosides which can cause cyanide poisoning like increased heart rate, rapid breathing, and muscle spasms as well as vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy.

Iris. Iris flowers are admired for their beauty and come in a range of lovely colors. However, the rhizomes (underground stems) of the iris are the most potent and can cause vomiting, drooling, lethargy, and diarrhea in dogs.

Morning Glory. Certain species of sun-loving morning glory flowers are toxic to dogs due to lysergic alkaloids present in the seeds. These alkaloids are similar to the recreational drug LSD and can cause hallucinations, as well as negative effects on the nervous, cardiovascular, and endocrine systems.

As always, itā€™s better to be safe than sorry. If you ever suspect your dog has ingested a potentially toxic plant, call a pet poison hotline or contact your local veterinarian as soon as possible.

Final Bark

Right now for National Dog Day, reward your pup when you purchase BarkBox, and for a limited time only enjoy a $5 first box!

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A Special Message From Our Best Buddies

Daily Dig is inspired and brought to you by our wonderful dogs. Our dogs, and all the other pups out there, make the world a happier, brighter place. ā¤ļø

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Stitcher, Minnie, & Finnegan šŸ¾

šŸ¦“ A Little Treat

šŸ¤” Did You Know: Dogs have three eyelids! The third eyelid is an extra eyelid that sweeps back and forth across the surface of their eye, providing protection.

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