Concerned dog owners are often left scratching their heads wondering why their dogs seem to love eating grass. In fact, many dogs will eat grass, vomit, and then go right back to eating grass again.
Does this behavior mean that the dog feels that there is something in their stomach that needs to be brought up, has the dog eaten something poisonous, or is the dog self-treating some undiagnosed medical issue?
Some dogs do vomit after eating grass, however not all dogs vomit. In fact, the majority of dogs eat grass without showing symptoms of stomach upset either before or after eating grass. This seems to indicate that it's unlikely that dogs eat grass to induce vomiting. So, why do they do it?
Physical Reasons Why Dogs Eat Grass
Just like people, dogs require fiber in their diets in order to have an efficiently functioning digestive system. After all, dogs are omnivores. Which means that good health relies on plant foods as well as high quality meat. Eating grass may be an easy, and seemingly tasty way for dogs to add roughage to their diet, helping to keep things flowing through their gastrointestinal tract (GI or digestive tract).
That said, if your dog is eating grass but also showing signs of stomach discomfort, there may be a medical problem. Dogs can suffer from a number of GI issues including gastric reflux, pancreatitis, and inflammatory bowel disease. If your dog is eating grass, and has other symptoms such as lack of appetite, decreased energy, diarrhea, or constipation, it's time to see your vet.
Psychological Reasons Why Dogs Eat Grass
Much like people who mindlessly bite their nails, dogs will often eat grass due to boredom or anxiety. If your dog is not showing any symptoms of digestive issues but munches relentlessly on grass, consider psychological reasons for their behavior.
If your dog seems bored, increasing the length, distance or intensity of walks could help to reduce grass eating.
For dogs that suffer from separation anxiety, try leaving an old blanket or t-shirt with your scent on it with your dog when you leave the house. Your dog may find the familiar scent reassuring and help to curb grass eating.
Some dogs show obsessive behaviors. If your dog is obsessively eating grass, it's time to see your veterinarian. Your vet will be able to advise you on how to help your dog reduce obsessive behaviors.
Is it safe for my dog to eat grass?
For dogs that are otherwise healthy and on regular parasite prevention medication, eating grass is considered to be safe.
To keep your grass grazing dog healthy, make sure that there are no herbicides, pesticides or fertilizers on the grass your dog nibbles.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.If your dog is showing symptoms of gastrointestinal tract upset contact our Memphis emergency vets right away.
You feed your dog a nutritious food full of everything they need to grow and be healthy, so why do they insist on eating grass?
While no one is entirely sure why dogs eat grass, pet experts are fairly certain it's just normal canine behavior and probably nothing to worry about. There are two main types of canine grass eating: grazing and instinctive behavior.
Grazing
The first reason why dogs might eat grass is grazing, where your dog happily munches on grass and suffers no ill effects. Every dog has their own unique traits, but it's not uncommon to see this behavior when your pet is anxious, or maybe even a little bored.
Some vets suggest dogs eat grass to make up for a nutritional deficiency but even dogs that eat well-balanced diets will eat grass. It's possible that they simply like the taste. So even if you're feeding your dog well, they might still fancy some fiber or greens!
Instinctive behavior
The other type of grass eating is thought to be more of an instinctive behavior. This is thought to be a deliberate attempt to induce vomiting after they've swallowed something that makes them feel ill. It is possible your dog is suffering from an upset stomach, and their instinct is to throw up as a form of relief.
Dogs that eat to make themselves vomit usually swallow grass as quickly as possible, barely even chewing it. It is believed that the long, unchewed pieces of grass tickle their throats to stimulate vomiting.
Safe to eat?
With all grass-eating behavior, it’s important to keep a careful eye on the sort of grass your dog is eating. Don't let them eat anything that has been treated with pesticides or fertilizers. Double check your lawn care products to ensure whether or not they're safe for pets.
How can I get my dog to stop eating grass?
If your dog’s grass eating is starting to concern you, there are some things you can try to help curb the habit. As previously mentioned, your dog may have a nutritional deficiency that is causing their upset stomach, so making adjustments to their food or eating habits can make an impact on your pet's behavior over time. Make sure to ask your vet what would be a good food to feed to ensure you do not make their digestion problems worse. Please note that you should transition your pet's food gradually over time.
How do I know if my dog needs to go to the vet?
If your dog eats grass then vomits and seems fine, they’ve probably taken care of whatever was bothering them. If they keep eating grass and vomiting, you should take them to see the vet. If you’re ever concerned that this might not be a normal behavior, it is best to consult your vet immediately.
Typically, the occasional grass grazing isn't a cause for concern, but if your dog compulsively ingests foreign objects on a regular basis, you may want to see if they have pica. Pica is a medical condition in dogs that leads them to crave or eat items that are not typically thought of as food. Cloth, dirt, paper, garbage and feces are all things that dogs with pica may be drawn to, and if left unchecked can lead to nutritional and digestive issues.
Overall, grass eating shouldn’t be a major cause for concern, but there are things you can do to make it less of an issue for your pet (as well as the lawn). If you ever feel like the habit is becoming a concern, contact your vet for a professional recommendation.
We’ve all seen how livestock, including cows, sheep, and goats, love gnawing on grass. It’s fine for grazing to be their pastime because their stomachs are able to digest all of the cellulose in grass. Unlike those animals, dogs are omnivores, related to meat-eating hunters like wolves. Yet if you own a dog, you may have seen him snacking on grass while out in your backyard or on a walk. So, why do dogs eat grass? Is your dog not getting enough food? Could he be sick? Or is it another puzzle springing from weird-yet-normal dog behavior, like “Where do those dog zoomies come from?” and “Why do dogs chase their tails?” It turns out that different dogs eat grass for different reasons. Let’s take a look at the most likely ones.
Though we think of canines as historically carnivorous, they actually evolved as omnivores that would eat whatever was available, including vegetation. Also, the prey animals that our dogs’ ancestors would eat were usually herbivores, so those wild dogs were indirectly consuming plant life. Instinct is a pretty logical answer to “Why do dogs eat grass?” A much less understandable dietary habit, on the other hand, is why dogs like to eat their own poop.
2. A form of pica is behind it
The urge to eat substances other than food is a condition called pica. While pica is a cause for concern in people, it’s usually nothing more than a sign of boredom in dogs. To make your dog’s day less ho-hum, add a few minutes to your regular walks, take him into your backyard or to a dog park for a fetch session, and treat him to a few new chew toys or puzzle toys for those times when you can’t be with him.
3. They just like it
Why do dogs eat grass, specifically? Your pup could simply like the taste or texture of grass, in the same way that we enjoy munching on celery sticks once in a while. “They [may] find it palatable and need to add roughage to their diet,” Katy Nelson, DVM, a senior veterinarian at Chewy, tells Reader’s Digest. Tender spring grass may be particularly delectable to them.
If your dog eats a lot of grass, you might want to take a look at his diet. It could be a sign that he isn’t getting enough fiber and, as a result, is seeking out roughage to eat. Just like humans, dogs need fiber to help them digest their food and pass stool regularly.
5. Their diet is low on a nutrient
While this is less likely to be the case if your dog is eating a high-quality, well-balanced diet, regularly eating grass can be a sign of a vitamin or mineral deficiency. If grass noshing has become a daily habit for your dog, especially if you’ve recently switched dog foods, it’s worth a call to your vet to go over what and how much you’re feeding him.
6. It’s like a natural antacid
Your pup can’t pop a Tums, so when his tummy is upset, he may chew on grass. Bile can build up as your dog’s stomach becomes empty, which can be irritating and uncomfortable. Eating grass can release the bile. Many dog owners have seen this in action after their dog suddenly eats grass like crazy, vomits, and then suddenly appears happier and more energetic. Those pet parents swear this is the answer to “Why do dogs eat grass?” However, at least as many dogs don’t vomit after eating grass as do, so this dynamic clearly only applies to some.
7. Your dog is thirsty
Like most types of vegetation, grass has a high water content. If your dog is eating grass primarily early in the morning or late in the evening when the grass has dew on it, this could be the reason behind it. This may also be the case if he nibbles on grass only on hot summer days. Make sure your dog always has a bowl of fresh water available both inside your home and in the yard.
Fortunately, nibbling on grass every once in a while won’t harm your pet. That said, many lawns are treated with pesticides, which can be toxic to dogs. And even if the yard in question is chemical-free, your dog may be swallowing intestinal parasites, from feces left behind by other animals, with that clump of grass. So, at the end of the day, a more important question to answer than “Why do dogs eat grass?” is “How do I stop my dog from eating grass?” If your dog is trying to eat grass on the regular, get help from your vet in figuring out what’s behind the behavior and how to end it. And while we’re on the subject, these are the things your dog should never, ever eat.
Source:
- Katy Nelson, DVM, senior veterinarian at Chewy
Originally Published: April 25, 2022