They color our lives and often become members of the family and love us unconditionally. What are we talking about? Cats and dogs of course! They say you’re usually fonder of one species over the other – but there’s certainly one thing that they have in common; they’re both equally strange and hilarious, much to the amusement of their owners.
Before animals were first domesticated, there were a number of behaviors that were observed by scientists and animal watchers alike. For example, cats were often a solo act, hunting alone for tasty prey, with some adaptations precisely for catching food which they haven’t lost, even in modern days! Dogs, on the other hand, are basically domesticated wolves, hence they’re more social. But we bet that you’ll be surprised at some of the findings behind our list, so stay with us to see if we answer some of the questions you’ve had about your pet!
“For Entrée, I’ll Have the Grass.”
Dogs just have an affinity for grass. Now now, get your mind out of the Mary-jane gutter! When dogs aren’t rolling around on the stuff, they’re gobbling it down! We know dogs are carnivorous, and often aren’t going to pass up on a steak. So why have you caught your pup chewing on grass? A lot of dog owners say that it’s to treat an upset stomach, but scientists say dogs don’t quite have the mental capacity to treat themselves in such an advanced way. Other reasons which have been commonly suggested include: to improve digestion or even fulfilling the need for fiber in their diet. A study actually reported on a miniature poodle that ate grass and then vomited every day for 7 years. It was then placed on a high-fiber diet, and its owner reported that the dog stopped with the grass altogether. Or, simply, your dog just likes the taste and mouth-feel of grass. “Will that be the Bentgrass or the Kentucky Bluegrass, sir?”
But, while we’re on the topic, there is actually a link to their pre-modern lifestyle and diet. Dogs were scavengers and had to eat whatever sustenance they could find. This could be why they’ll gobble up anything you put in front of them (or don’t put in front of them – they’ll find a way to eat it regardless of if it’s for them or not). Seeing as the grass was so plentiful, it’s likely dogs would’ve developed a taste for it along the way. For your pup too, it’s actually a pretty good way to deliver some fiber and minerals! Cats too actually eat grass, but for quite a different reason.
