As dogs are not a cow or any such animal who prey on plant matter, you can be confused when you see them eating zinnia leaves. Being an annual flowering plant, they are famous for their brightly colored petals that range from pink, yellow, orange, purple, red, and many more.
They are also very closely related to daisies which look similar to zinnia flowers. But what makes a dog eat it? What makes the zinnia leaves so enticing for dogs to take a bite or nip. So, in the article, we will discuss why dogs eat zinnia leaves and what you should do in that matter.
First, Be rest assured because you are not alone in this concern, especially if your dog is eating some of it.
It is standard for dogs to eat grass and plant matter out of boredom and may be wholly natural.
However, there can be many factors that can lead your dog to such behavior. Let’s talk about five reasons why is my dog eating zinnia leaves, along with are zinnia leaves poisonous to dogs?.
Why Is My Dog Eating Zinnia Leaves?
A dog starts eating zinnia leaves out of boredom or curiosity.
Dogs also eat plant matter like zinnia leaves if they are in a pain or suffering from stomach aches.
They may also eat it to relieve the symptoms due to nutritional deficiency.
5 Reasons Why Dogs Eat Zinnia Leaves?
1) Boredom
Dogs left alone for an extended period are prone to loneliness and depression.
In the absence of stimulating interactions, dogs will often become bored and will look for things to do out of curiosity.
Following that, they also start eating plant matter like zinnia leaves to kill their boredom or occupy themselves.
I’ll recommend providing your dog with plenty of exciting toys that allow them easy mental stimulation and give plenty of exercise time. Dogs with high intelligence levels are prone to boredom.
Besides that, highly active and energetic dogs need interactive or puzzle toys to keep going throughout the day.
2) Nutritional Deficiency
I recommend always getting the food that fulfills all your dog’s nutritional needs out of many options.
There is a wide range of commercial foods available online and even in supermarkets specifically designed and formulated for dogs.
Most of the brands claim that their food has all the nutrition complete, but only a few are completely honest.
You should always avoid purchasing cheap commercial foods as they tend to have a poor balance of nutrition.
Not all commercial food will have the proper balance of nutrition that your dog needs. Therefore, it is always recommended to ensure you offer a complete diet and supplements daily. You should avoid any filler or complementary food.
If your dog is on a proper healthy diet, then the problem could be an underlying medical issue. Medical issues like IBD prevent dogs from absorbing food properly as they should, leading to nutritional deficiency over time.
3) Aching Stomach / Gas
If your dog is suffering from abdominal pain or gastrointestinal upset, it might lead your dog to eat some plant matters to relieve themselves.
They always look to alleviate the gassy feelings by eating specific plant matter that can cause some bowel movements or vomit.
Believe it or not, certain types of commercial foods /treats available at the local supermarket can cause a dog to feel full of gas and become bloated.
If your dog has a stomach ache, he might be eating zinnia leaves to lessen the uncomfortable sensation they are having.
4) Taste
There are a few types of ornamental plants you can use in your garden, lawn, or even put in your home that is very tasty to dogs. One such plant or house plant is zinnia leaves.
Therefore it is crucial to do your proper research on each plant you plan to include in your landscaping or home to ensure they are not poisonous to your dog. Zinnia leaves are thought to be tasty to certain types of dog breeds.
5) Nausea
Nausea is a feeling that everyone hates. When a dog has nausea, it will always look to chew on grass or plant matter to induce vomiting and alleviate nausea. By inducing vomiting, your dog will feel much better.
However, if you notice your dog vomiting excessively, you will need to go for a quick checkup at your nearest veterinarian.
Excessive vomiting or continuous nausea can result from a more serious underlying medical problem that needs to be identified, diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.
Are Zinnia Leaves Poisonous To Dogs?
No, zinnia leaves are not poisonous to dogs. You can rest assured and feel free to include this annual flowering plant in your landscaping without worrying about your dog’s safety.
3 Tips To Prevent Your Dog From Eating Zinnia Leaves
- Remove any plant in your yard or home that your dog has shown an interest in.
- Offer plenty of mental stimulation and interaction to prevent your dog from becoming bored.
- Change or replace their toys from time to time to prevent your dog from becoming uninterested in the same old toys.
FAQ’s
- For Further Reading
- Can Dogs Eat Mussels, Clams, & Oysters?
- Can Dogs Eat Paprika?+(3 Risks and Benefits)
- Will Dogs Eat Fruit Snacks?
- Can Dogs Eat Egg Shells?
Conclusion
You have all the ideas why my dog is eating zinnia leaves. Your dog can eat zinnia leaves out of curiosity, boredom, stomach ache, abdominal pain, nutritional deficiency, and nausea.
Some dogs will continue to eat zinnia leaves if they like their taste. After knowing that these plants are not poisonous to dogs, it is safe to have them around your landscape or home.
But it is always recommended to keep the plant somewhere where your dog will find it hard to take a bite, as excessive consumption of anything can be bad for a pet…
I have tried to give you all the information about why my dog is eating zinnia leaves and are zinnia leaves poisonous to dogs. If you find this post helpful, then share it with others.
Your one share can help many people get aware of these annual flowering plants and learn if it is toxic to their pets or not.
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