Why Does My Dog Eat Grass?

Many veterinarians will say that eating grass is a perfectly normal behavior for a dog.

Some dogs eat grass and some do not. Veterinarians are not even sure why dogs eat grass. They just seem to like the taste of it. They may even have a craving for fresh greens and go munch on a few blades of fresh green grass. Dogs have been nibbling away on grass for hundreds and even thousands of years and there is no evidence to show that eating grass is bad for a dog. You may notice that your dog only eats grass from a specific area in the yard and this may be because the grass is this place tastes better and has a higher amount of minerals. Dogs just seem to love the taste of grass. It is cold, wet and tastes sweet. A lot of dogs seem to really like the onion grass that is commonly found on a lot of lawns. No one has been able to prove that dogs are smart enough to use grass as a medicinal purpose but they are a lot smarter than we think they are.

Most dogs that do eat grass on occasion will do this when they have an upset stomach and they need to vomit. Since they cannot ask for a teaspoon of Pepto Bismol like humans can they go and find some grass to nibble on and a few minutes later they vomit it all back up and whatever was making their tummy upset is gone now.

A dog eating grass now and then does not signal an illness. It is perfectly normal behavior. A dog may even eat grass now and then because he wants something else in his diet. You can try sprinkling some Kellogg’s All Bran Cereal on top of his food but you need to talk to your local vet first to be sure this is okay to add to your dog’s diet.

Dogs also love to run through taller grass on lawns and they hold the blades of grass in their mouths to “taste” it but they do not ever actually eat the grass. They seem to love the fresh tall blades of grass on a lush green lawn more than a dried out piece of grass.

Just be sure and not allow your dog to eat any grass which has been treated with any chemicals, pesticides or insecticides as this can harm the dog and can be fatal. If your dog’s normal behavior does change in any way and you notice any vomiting that is not associated with eating grass or there is excessive vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea or you notice that your dog has become severely lethargic contact your vet as soon as possible. If your dog does eat grass in excessive amounts everyday then this should be brought to your vet’s attention.

In most cases, if a dog is eating small amounts of grass this will cause no harm and it is perfectly normal. Your dog could be possibly lacking something in his regular kibble and his diet may need to be readjusted so you should take him to the vet and talk to him about any concerns you may have about your pet’s health and your vet can decide if there are any special needs your dog’s diet may be lacking and figure out what is the best plan for your dog’s nutritional needs.

DISCLAIMER:

I am not a licensed Veterinarian but I did learn a lot of useful information during my years working for one.