Has your dog ever been caught munching on grass? Veterinarians will inform you that they respond to this inquiry throughout the day, every day, indicating that many dogs consume grass. In actuality, more than 67% of individuals claim that their dog consumes grass on a weekly basis.
The good news is that vets usually believe it to be safe, it’s frequent, and it’s entirely natural. But have you ever questioned why your dog behaves this way?
You could be perplexed when you observe your favorite dog munching grass because it is obvious that they are not cows. You may even feel anxious about it. Although you might feel anxious and worry about the vomit you’ll have to subsequently clean up off the carpet, this behavior is not necessarily a reason for concern.
Numerous dog owners are concerned that their pet is eating the grass to make itself ill, either to get rid of something they’ve eaten or because they’re feeling under the weather. Others believe that their dog’s consumption of grass indicates a nutritional deficiency. But it’s not fully obvious why this foraging behavior is occurring.
The reason why dogs chew grass has been investigated by both dog owners and veterinarians on several occasions, but the behavior is still somewhat mysterious. However, there are a few possible explanations for why dogs exhibit this peculiar behavior.
Theories About Why Dogs Eat Grass
The subject of why dogs eat grass has no conclusive scientific response. We might never know for sure because not a lot of money is being spent on study into this issue.
- According to some reports, dogs consume grass when they need to throw up, although fewer than a fifth of dogs actually vomit after eating grass.
- Other hypotheses contend that eating grass may enhance digestion, aid in the treatment of intestinal worms, or satisfy an unmet dietary requirement for fiber. Even dogs that currently consume a well-balanced, healthy diet will occasionally eat grass since it does contain certain vital elements.
- The idea that eating grass is a compulsive practice that indicates psychological anguish is another another.
Scientists point out that wild dogs are omnivores who scavenge, hunt, and consume vegetation in addition to meat. They are not simply carnivores. Wild dogs may also consume plants incidentally by eating the contents of their herbivorous prey’s stomachs. Therefore, it’s likely that your domesticated dog uses grass as a substitute for the plants that are absent from his kibble.
Possible Reasons Why Dogs Eat Grass
Psychological Reasons
Although the exact cause of the behavior is unknown, many veterinarians believe psychological factors are to blame. You can read more about some of the most prevalent psychological causes of dogs’ urge to eat grass—even when doing so causes them to throw up—below.
Bored, Stressed or Upset
Some veterinarians think that dogs eat grass when they are bored, agitated, anxious, or unhappy. Dogs could be more prone to eat grass in the backyard if they think they are alone, which adds to the perception that they are sad when they do so.
Some veterinarians think that dogs chew grass to attract their owners’ attention, which they seek. Dogs interpret this as attention even when they are being instructed to stop doing something, and for many of them, this is sufficient.
In both situations, dogs tend to eat the grass less frequently while their owners are with them outside.
Instincts Could Be the Cause
This conduct could also be motivated by various psychological or instinctual factors. Dogs descended from wild canines that consumed whatever they could hunt, even the animal’s stomach contents.
Typically, those contents contained the grass the animals had just finished consuming. Up to half of all contemporary wolves are thought to occasionally consume grass, either on purpose or in addition to their typical diet.
Usually, dogs who eat grass out of instinct don’t throw up afterwards. There isn’t much cause for concern if you watch your dog munching grass but don’t see him vomit from it. He’s merely carrying on his ancestors’ tradition.
They Like the Taste of Grass
Dogs may eat grass for another psychological reason as well; they enjoy the flavor of it. Some dogs exclusively consume grass in specific areas or at specific seasons of the year, which supports the notion that they enjoy the flavor and feel of the grass they chew.
Of course, some dogs are glad to run outside whenever they have the chance and munch down on the grass in the backyard. These dogs furthermore demonstrate the fact that some dogs just take pleasure in consistently ingesting grass.
Physical Reasons
Dogs may have a lower chance of experiencing any physical benefits from eating grass. However, there could still be some physical causes for this behavior. See if you can find anything on this list that could apply to your dog.
Upset Stomach
Many pet owners believe that dogs chew grass because their stomachs are unhappy. This is most likely as a result of how closely the behavior is related to throwing up.
However, it might be challenging to determine whether the dog is vomiting because he ate the grass or because his stomach is unhappy and he believed the grass would help.
Vets are still unsure of which usually results in which. Veterinarians feel that the grass is typically to blame for the vomiting because the majority of dogs who eat grass first appear to be in perfect health.
A Dietary Response
It’s conceivable that dogs consume grass because their diets lack enough fiber. Your dog may become aware that he isn’t digesting food properly if you observe him frequently munching grass, especially after a meal (at least in some way).
He can get the fiber he needs to metabolize meals properly by eating enough grass. Upgrade your dog’s food to a high-fiber diet that contains wholesome sources of the nutrients he requires.
There is a strong likelihood that a food upgrade would put an end to the practice of eating grass.
Stomach Problems
If your dog does exhibit signs of gastrointestinal issues, he could have a problem that needs medical treatment. It’s necessary to arrange an appointment with the veterinarian if he often vomits, such as more than once after eating grass.
Dogs are susceptible to a number of extremely serious digestive and gastrointestinal illnesses. Your veterinarian can generally manage these issues with little difficulty, though.
Some dogs never vomit after eating grass, and this isn’t always the case. This can imply that there isn’t really any relationship between the two pursuits. Instead of having a digestion issue, some dogs may vomit due to the grass’ peculiar texture or flavor.
Is Eating Grass Dangerous for Dogs?
It is thought to be safe for dogs to eat grass if they are otherwise healthy and taking regular parasite prevention medicines.
But be cautious about what your dog may be eating from the grass. The health of your dog may be at danger from chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides. Make sure your dog isn’t nibbling on any plants that are harmful to dogs if he isn’t restricting his consumption of greens to just grass or clover.
If your dog, or more importantly, your puppy, is consuming a lot of grass, pay attention. In rare instances, it could result in an intestinal obstruction.
When Should You Take Action?
Consider whether your dog may be trying to self-treat underlying ailments if you find them eating grass more regularly or in excess. Additionally, keep an eye out for symptoms including lip licking, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, decreased appetite, and blood in the stool.
When there are indoor plants around, keep an eye on your dog since some can be harmful if chewed or consumed. While chewing on the grass is a normal canine activity, you may encourage your dog to stop doing it to make you feel more at ease.
If you suspect that your dog has consumed too much grass, a tiny quantity of chemicals, or a dangerous house plant, it is always advisable to speak with your veterinarian. To identify underlying issues, the veterinarian will be able to conduct examinations like fecal samples, blood tests, or even physical exams.
Keep your dog hydrated and give them plenty of time for bathroom breaks if they don’t show any signs but you suspect they may have eaten too much grass. Before introducing food gradually, let your dog fast for 8–12 hours. If your dog’s symptoms persist after 12 hours, consult your veterinarian.
Next Steps
Regular grass consumption is not a reason for alarm. You may make easy adjustments to bring some “spice” to your dog’s life and food bowl if he or she is eating grass out of boredom or due to a nutritional shortage. For your dog’s safety, there are situations when you must immediately cease this behavior. Other times, it may indicate that your dog is gravely ill.
Step 1: Avoid poisonous plants.
Dogs kept indoors may feed their grazing instinct by chewing on houseplants. Depending on the kind of plant, this practice could be hazardous or even lethal. Avoid growing any possibly hazardous plants indoors or outdoors to be on the safe side.
Step 2: Keep your dog away from poisonous plants.
If you are unable to cultivate plants that are poisonous to dogs or do not wish to do so, store the plants in a location that your dog cannot access. Alternately, concentrate on educating your dog to understand which plants or locations in your house or garden are off bounds.
Step 3: Be aware of chemicals on the grass.
Never let your dog consume chemically treated grass since doing so might poison them. Your neighbor may use pesticides and herbicides even if you don’t on your own lawn and garden. If toxic compounds are sprayed on a windy day, they may end up in your yard by water runoff or wind. This also applies to open spaces like parks where the grass may have received treatment.
Step 4: Provide your dog with alternative.
Give your dog a substitute for grass to satisfy its hunger. For instance, you might give your dog access to a patch or a container of nutritious wheatgrass. There are frequently dog-safe kits for growing grass and herbs available at pet supply stores.
Step 5: Provide your dog with enough exercise.
Make sure your dog exercises plenty every day. To beat boredom, this also includes physical and mental exercise. The ability to control boredom-related behaviors may be greatly improved by setting aside time each day to play with your dog and concentrate on training.
A sudden increase in grazing may indicate that your dog is ill or is deficient in essential nutrients. Pay attention to your dog’s behavior so you can, if required, address it with your veterinarian.
Step 6: Examine your dog’s food.
To determine whether the components in your dog’s food actually offer a balanced diet with all the nutrients your dog need, look at the ingredients list. Your dog’s requirement for its grassy supplement may be reduced to some extent by switching to a meal that is richer in fiber or generally helps digestion.
Note: The material in this page is meant to be informative only; it does not represent veterinary advice for animals. Please schedule an appointment with your veterinarian for a precise diagnosis of your pet’s illness.