There’s nothing more enjoyable than having your dog run free in a field of grass. They love being able to explore areas without being attached to a leash and you, the owner, love watching your best friend being in their happy place. Especially those fields that have patches of nice, tall grass. They can’t help but explore and sniff out those areas. But I’m sad to say that those grass areas could actually be hiding a silent killer that is pretty common. According to Goodfullness, there are certain types of grass that could actually be not only harmful to your dog but also lethal. It’s so dangerous that Veterinarians recommend to not allow your dog run freely, at least until you investigate the area completely. So what kind of grass specifically should you watch out for? It’s called the foxtail grass. It can cause a ton of painful wounds. Goodfullness notes that the dog’s skin will not only be pierced, but their eyes, feet, stomach are also left in serious danger. The seed awns are incredibly sharp, almost like a needle that can seriously dig into your pet and leave them with painful wounds. If you own a poodle or any other dog with long fur, they are the most vulnerable to this type of grass. Avoiding this kind of grass can be pretty difficult because it can be found just about anywhere. Places like vacant lots and disturbed sites are places that pet owners should beware of. So how does a pet owner know that their dog has been exposed to the foxtail grass? One symptom is constant sneezing or violent head shakes. Goodfullness also notes that new skin lumps or the animal pawing at its eyes in an excessive way are another signal. If you’re planning to take your dog to a field, do a thorough check prior and check for symptoms regularly if they are always playing in the tall grass. If you notice the signs, go to the vet immediately.
If cats are meat eaters, why does yours sometimes prefer salad? Actually, eating small amounts of plants or grass is normal for cats, and as many as one in three housecats regularly munches on veggies. There are a few common reasons for this behavior. First, your cat might just be looking for some fun. Leaves that dangle or flap in the breeze can look a lot like a fluttering bird or cat toy, so they can be pretty exciting to a cat who’s in a playful mood. Some cats might have learned that biting plants is a sure-fire way to get your attention. Kittens and juveniles might just be looking for something (anything!) to chew, just like human babies, who put everything into their mouths and find comfort chewing on teething rings. Eating large amounts of grass or leaves usually results in vomiting or can act as a laxative. No one knows if cats sometimes purposely eat plants to solve gastrointestinal discomfort or to help bring up hairballs, but those are possibilities. Green plants might also provide some missing nutrients, but there’s currently no scientific evidence that plant eating satisfies any nutritional deficiency. Most of the time, plant eating is just a nuisance to pet parents, but it can be dangerous if a cat decides to eat a toxic plant or a plant that’s been treated with pesticides. Many common house and garden plants are poisonous to cats. Please see the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center’s website for a list of common poisonous plants. To read more on this story, click here: Cats Who Eat Plants
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