Why Do Dogs Eat Grass? 6 Common Reasons
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Dogs are omnivores and it is quite common for them to eat grass from time to time. Eating grass is not always something to worry about but it may be an indication your dog’s diet is lacking in fibre, vitamins, or minerals. Different dogs eat grass for different reasons so below we’ve rounded up the most common causes and what you can do about it.
What Causes A Dog To Want To Eat Grass
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1. They Enjoy The Taste/ Texture
Dogs may eat grass because they enjoy it, they might find it palatable and like the taste or texture. If they are eating it in the early morning or late evening it could be because they are thirsty and the grass has dew on it. Many dogs seem to enjoy eating the fresh green grass that grows in spring and summer.
2. They Are Increasing Their Fibre Intake
Eating grass can be a way for dogs to increase their fibre intake which helps them digest their food. One case report showed that switching a dog that was eating grass regularly to a high-fibre diet stopped the grass-eating behaviour.
Our dog’s ancestors would have eaten a balanced diet by eating all of their prey including the meat, bones, stomach contents and organs. The stomach contents would contain plants and grass adding fibre to their diet.
3. They Have A Vitamin/ Mineral Deficiency
If your dog’s diet is lacking in vitamins or minerals they may eat grass regularly to try to make up for what their diet is not providing them with. Take a look at their diet and consult a vet for advice if you’re not sure what food is best for your puppy.
4. They Have Internal Parasites
Researchers suggest that eating grass may help dogs get rid of parasites from their intestines. The undigested grass helps to clean out the gut as it passes through the digestive tract.
However, there is also a risk that your dog could pick up roundworm or hookworm from faecal residue in the grass or they could be infected with lungworm after eating grass that slugs/ snails have been around.
5. They Are Experiencing Boredom/ Anxiety
Eating grass maybe your dog's way to deal with boredom, loneliness, or anxiety. If you notice your dog is eating more grass and displaying other digging/ chewing behaviours when you are spending less time together this is a sign that they are doing it as a result of feeling bored or lonely.
Offer your dog a food puzzle, increase interactive playtime, or go for more stimulating walks to help relieve boredom.
6. They Need To Be Sick
It’s often thought that dogs eat grass when they need to be sick, while this may sometimes be the case it is more common for a dog not to be sick after eating grass. A survey found that only 8% of the dogs showed signs of being ill before eating grass and only 22% vomited afterwards.
Does A Dog Eating Grass Mean Anything?
Eating grass every now and then may be a reflection of your dog’s natural instincts. Dogs are able to remain healthy by eating both meat and plants and in the wild, they would scavenge to fulfil their dietary requirements.
Wild dogs would eat all of whatever they needed to in order to survive and would eat all of their prey including the stomach contents which usually contain plants and grass. Wolves also eat grass at times and seeing the behaviour in your dog is usually nothing to worry about.
Should I Let My Dog Eat The Grass?
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As long as the grass has not been treated with pesticides, herbicides, or any other substance that may be toxic, eating a small amount of grass should not be an issue. There is a risk of your dog picking up intestinal parasites from the grass so make sure they are protected against parasites and lungworms if they eat grass.
Most of the reasons dogs eat grass are harmless. If you do notice your dog is eating grass it is worth reviewing their diet to ensure they are getting all of the minerals, vitamins, and fibre they need.
How To Prevent Dogs From Eating Grass
If your dog is eating grass regularly or is eating a lot of grass, then help prevent the behaviour by reviewing their diet and increasing physical exercise and mental stimulation through activities, interactive games, and food puzzles.
You could also use training and positive reinforcement to redirect their attention away from the grass whenever they go to eat it.
What Should I Do, My Dog Is Eating Grass?
It is normal for dogs to eat a small amount of grass so most of the time you don’t need to do anything. However, if your dog is eating a lot of grass or is regularly eating grass then the first thing to do is review their diet and check for an underlying health issue.
Sometimes grass eating is linked to boredom and a lack of stimulation so you could try changing their daily routine by increasing games and going on regular walks to see if this helps stop the behaviour.
Want To Learn More About Puppy Health?
Understanding our pups helps us to care for them effectively. If you want to learn more about your puppy, take a look at our guide on why dogs pant and puppy health basics.
