With all the benefits that you as a human can potentially enjoy from consuming wheat grass, it’s only natural that you may be wondering if the same could be true for your furry friend. That’s especially true given that some animal welfare organizations caution pet owners about the various plants that are dangerous or even deadly if ingested by dogs, cats, and other pets. The good news? Wheat grass and wheat grass powder are generally safe for dogs (and cats, too).
In fact, when you visit a pet store, you’ll often see “pet grass” for sale—and it’s typically wheat grass (be sure to check the label, though!). If you have a cat, it will likely be drawn to wheat grass and often nibble it without prompting. Dogs generally need more convincing to eat wheat grass plants.
Keep in mind that even though wheat grass is thought to be safe, you need to make sure that your dog, cat, or other pet doesn’t chew other houseplants. Many of them will make your pet sick or worse.
The same goes for the grass on lawns in your neighborhood or local park. Animal experts theorize that dogs will eat that grass because of digestion issues or sometimes compensation for lack of nutrients or roughage in their diets. But should your dog eat that grass? The simple answer is no.
When your dog goes outside and eats grass on your lawn or in a park, it may ingest fertilizers, pesticides, or other toxins. A variety of animal droppings and stool on the ground may also make the grass unhealthy. If your dog eats such grass, it may consume parasites that get into its intestines.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention define a parasite as “an organism that lives on or in a host organism and gets its food from or at the expense of its host.” When dogs eat grass, they may consume internal parasites (including the parasite eggs). Those may include hookworms (from ingested soil), tapeworms (from eating an infected host), and whipworms (from licking or sniffing the ground).
While your pooch may be inclined to eat the grass on your lawn, they may not be as naturally drawn to eat wheat grass plants. However, you can easily mix the powder into their food bowl so they can enjoy the superfood’s benefits without even realizing it. However, don’t do it without speaking with your dog’s veterinarian first. Ask if it’s okay to add wheat grass powder to your furry friend’s diet. The answer will likely be “yes,” but it’s important to check.
You may be hesitant to introduce grains into your dog’s diet. Many experts urge owners to provide pets with high-protein, grain-free foods. As mentioned, it’s essential to feed your dog a healthy grain that is not contaminated. And, just like people, some dogs may be allergic to wheat. Experts say that about 10 percent of dogs have allergies, and most are food-related. That’s yet another reason why you should discuss your dog’s diet with your veterinarian. But, again, most dogs are not allergic to wheat or other grains.
Representatives of the American Kennel Club (AKC) remind us that some people erroneously believe that dogs should eat like wolves or other wild animals. That’s one reason for the significant push toward protein for pets. But dogs should not eat like wolves, according to the
When you mix wheat grass powder into your dog’s food, it will receive many of the same benefits you receive from the superfood. Just as wheat grass aids your digestion and prompts blood cleansing, it can also do the same for your dog. Pets can have upset stomachs and constipation, just like humans, and wheat grass can help ease those issues.
Other wheat grass benefits are especially suited to your dog. We all know that a dog’s breath can smell foul. That unpleasant scent is noticeable, sometimes just days after a dog has had an expensive tooth cleaning. Wheat grass also serves to remove tartar from your dog’s teeth. A dog with wheat grass in its diet will also likely have fewer skin conditions and better body odor control, according to experts.
Research has shown that wheat grass may serve as an antioxidative. Antioxidants eliminate toxins from the body and combat free radicals linked to cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and other serious illnesses. You will also find some studies report that wheat grass has anti-cancer potential.
These medical findings are preliminary, however, and extensive research is needed to prove or disprove the claims.
One thing that wheat grass won’t do is make you or your dog fat. Wheat grass is naturally low in calories. The USDA reports one 8-gram (g) tablespoon of organic wheat grass powder has just 25 calories.
It’s only natural that you’d want your dog to gain the same health benefits you do from wheat grass. It’s important to remember, though, that all wheat grass powder and other supplement forms are different.
At Brightcore’s Sweet Wheat® powder and capsules are made from organic wheat grass. A combination of phytonutrients, live enzymes, and chlorophyll are added to the wheat grass to make Brightcore’s high-quality supplement. Plus, the products are gluten free, non-GMO, certified organic, vegan, soy free, and have no artificial binders, fillers, or color.
The wheat grass and other healthy ingredients in our superfood supplements aren’t diluted by heat. When Brightcore ingredients are harvested, they are dried at cold temperatures to ensure they retain all of the valuable nutrients. Again, be sure to check with your dog’s veterinarian, and then choose a high-quality supplement such as Sweet Wheat®.
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