Why Do Dogs Eat Grass?

If you have ever been outside with your dog and you have turned around only to catch them happily munching away on a patch of grass, then you might have some concerns about their strange behaviour. Most people would assume that this is not normal behaviour, but you might actually be surprised when you find out the reasoning behind what they are doing. It might not always be a cause for concern, and we are going to explain why your dog might be eating grass in this article.

It can be helpful to find out why your dog does some of the things that they do so you can find out if you have a problem that needs to be solved. Sometimes, dogs show strange signs of behaviour, and by analysing it, we can figure out what is going on with them. Sometimes the things that they are doing can be signs of a health problem, or even a lack of nutrition or to convey how they are feeling. Looking at this behaviour can help us find out what we can do to help.

Why Do Dogs Eat Grass?

One of the main reasons that veterinarians and dog experts think that dogs turn to eating grass is due to the fact that they may have a diet deficiency. If they are missing out on certain vitamins, minerals, or nutrients, then they might be looking for ways to boost the levels of intake for these categories. Eating grass could be your dog’s own way of getting some extra fibre into their systems so they can pass stools more easily, and even help to improve other bodily functions. Dogs have natural instincts that can kick in when they are in danger or lacking in something, and they can try to solve these problems on their own.

However, if your dog does have a balanced and complete diet, then there could be other reasons for them eating grass. It doesn’t have to be related to a deficiency, and it could actually be related to their instincts instead. We have already mentioned that dogs still have their natural instincts, but they have adapted in a way that means that all of their needs are typically met by humans. Now that dogs are domesticated, they often have no need to fend for themselves, which over time, has suppressed most of these natural instincts. 

This isn’t to say that wild dogs are all going around eating grass in order to get the best out of their diet, but they are actually omnivores, and it is natural for them to crave eating grass as part of their diets. These instincts date back into the past and could be the reason why not all dogs eat grass, but some do. A select few dogs or dog breeds can still act on these instincts, and if a dog can get their paws on the thing that they are craving, you can be sure that they will.

Another reason that your dog could be seeking a meal from your garden is that they simply enjoy the taste and texture of the grass that they are eating. While this is a more unusual reasoning, it can definitely be true. If you find that they are eating grass more in the springtime, when new grass is emerging, then this could well be the case for them. 

Is Eating Grass Bad for Dogs?

If you have found that your dog is eating grass, it is only natural to be concerned about how it might be affecting them. This leads us on to another reason why your dog might be eating grass, especially if it is uncommon behaviour for them. Your dog might actually be eating grass as a way to relieve their upset stomach if they are feeling under the weather. Some dogs will vomit soon after eating grass, though this won’t be the case for many others. It is thought that around 25% or less of dogs will be sick after eating grass, so it might not be due to this for all dogs. However, for some dogs, they might just be trying to make themselves feel better. 

If your dog is eating grass, it is unlikely that it will cause any harmful effects to their health. However, grass-eating can actually cause intestinal parasites that can easily be picked up from animal droppings. Another thing that could be dangerous is if you are spraying any herbicides or pesticides in your garden, as these can be harmful for your dog to ingest. If you are ever concerned about their health, you should take them to see a vet immediately.

Should I Stop My Dog Eating Grass?

Typically, there is no reason to stop your dog from eating grass if that is what they are choosing to do. It can be difficult to keep an eye on them all day every day, and they might go straight for the grass as soon as you turn your back. However, there are some things that you should be mindful of, just in case their actions are due to the fact that they are trying to self-medicate. The fact that they are eating grass could be due to the fact that they are feeling unwell, so you should check for any signs of vomiting, diarrhoea, weight loss, a lack of appetite, or lethargy. These are all signs of illness that you should look out for. 

While you don’t have to stop them from eating grass, there are some other things that you should make sure that they avoid. The grass itself might be fine for them to ingest, but there are some other types of plants and vegetation that can cause irritation or upset once they have been ingested. You should keep an eye on your dog when you go out for walks in places with lots of vegetation, just to make sure that they aren’t chowing down on something that they shouldn’t be.

If you are really concerned about what your dog is eating when they are outdoors, then you can seek help from a professional to help to train them to avoid this type of behaviour. This might not always be completely successful, but it could be worth a try if you are really concerned about your dog.

If you think that your dog might have ingested a toxic plant or plants that may have been sprayed with chemicals, then you should contact a vet straight away, especially if they are showing any negative symptoms. The earlier that these things can be treated, the better. Ensure that you keep them as hydrated as possible before you can get them to the vet.