Why Does My Dog Eat Grass

Why Does My Dog Eat Grass

Why Does My Dog Eat Grass

Have you ever wondered why your dog eats grass? And if so... have you ever been worried about this behavior? Most dogs eat grass occasionally, and some graze on the green stuff much more often than...well, "occasionally." For some dogs, grass-eating is a go-to activity when they're bored outside. For some other dogs, eating grass is a fun and rewarding behavior because dogs find insects and other play-worthy things within the grassy foliage.

The ingestion of non-food items like toys, socks, and trash is a common behavior among dogs. This behavior is technically known as pica (stress eating), and most of the time is caused by separation anxiety, or a deficit in nutrients, vitamins and/or minerals. But dogs on well-balanced diets shouldn’t be nutritionally deficient, so…

Why Does My Dog Eat Grass?

There isn’t always a straightforward answer to that question. There might also be more than one reason for the particular grass-eating behavior in your dog. It may be more useful to ask whether we should be worried about the behavior, and what possible health issues it may lead to or indicate. According to Dr. Karen Becker from Mercola Healthy Pets there are some health-related reasons for dogs eating grass. Included explanations are:

  • To balance the microbiome: Grass contains prebiotic fiber that may help keep your dog’s intestinal flora balanced and resilient;
  • To relieve gastrointestinal (GI) upset: Many dogs with an upset tummy will, given the chance, consume large quantities of grass because they instinctively know it will make them throw up which in turn will ease their discomfort;
  • To help eliminate intestinal parasites (plant ingestion usually increases intestinal motility);
  • To fulfill specific nutrient requirements.

Some dogs eat grass trying to elicit vomiting to throw up a toy or another type of foreign body, so we stress the importance of monitoring your pet's grass-eating behavior (and any behaviors, in general).

Watch Mercola Healthy Pets’ video on 'Why Do Dogs Eat Grass?'

https://youtu.be/4Tki_Hb9nPs

Is It Harmful If My Dog Eats Grass?

Most pets eat grass without getting sick, but that does not mean that grass is completely harmless for them to consume. Even though grass itself wouldn't be harmful, if it has toxic chemicals like pesticides applied to it, it can be toxic to your dog. Also, there is a chance of your dog unintentionally consuming intestinal parasites that lurk in the grass. Per veterinary advice, some pet owners may decide to prevent their dogs from eating grass in areas like dog parks. This is because many other dogs also frequent the dog park and defecate in some common areas. Even though most people pick up their pet's waste, the risk is increased that your dog would ingest intestinal parasites from a busy place like a dog park. Most dog-park visitors thankfully pick up their pet's excretions! But still, soil cleanliness is affected at locations like dog parks. Per professors at Bio Med Central, "While most owners picked up after their dog, deposited feces were still evident at the parks. Public education about dog and human health risks arising from canine fecal contamination is needed. Prompt collection and disposal of canine feces in dog parks and in any public area remains a key responsibility all dog owners must practice."

You should carefully observe how your dog reacts to eating grass. Some dogs may vomit and immediately afterward go on about their lives as if the vomiting is normal. If this is the case for your dog, we strongly recommend you keep an eye on him/her. Be especially aware of what their feces looks like in this case. If your dog’s grass eating is chronic and frequent, and/or he/she vomits due to it at any concerning level, we strongly recommend you make an appointment with your veterinarian. The veterinarian may suggest a diet change or trial. In the words of Dr. Karen Becker: “I recommend upgrading his diet if he is still eating kibble or any non-human-grade commercial dog food. Most healthy dogs fed a nutritionally optimal, species-appropriate diet don’t eat grass because they receive all the nourishment their bodies need from their food, and they rarely suffer from digestive issues. Adding probiotics and digestive enzymes can also benefit dogs with ‘sensitive stomachs’...”

How Do I Stop My Dog From Eating Grass?

The best way to prevent your dog from eating grass is to train him/her (preferably at the puppy stage but later in life is fine too). We suggest training your dog to exchange eating grass for another action. You can train your dog not to eat grass; for the training, you would need to bring treats along when you take your dog for a long or potty-break walk. Then every time your dog tries eating grass from a grassy area that is unacceptable for ingestion, you can discourage his/her behavior using a sound like “non” or “uh-uh.” Once your dog follows your command, be sure to reward him/her using the treats. 

In the words of VCA Pet Are People Too hospitals “Dogs that are driven by affection can be trained using the same method as above by simply substituting positive verbal reinforcement and petting as rewards. Dogs that respond to verbal commands may require a simple “heel” command to interrupt the grassy snack and redirect their attention.”

It can be tough to get your dog to stop eating grass, but consistent training is key to changing that behavior. If eating grass becomes a habit for your dog, he/she might hang out outside happily munching away on your lawn, rather than being interested in doing much else. Through the efforts of training your dog, though, it is possible to make grass-eating seem less appealing to your pet.

7 Possible Ways To Get Your Dog To Stop Eating Grass

  • Distract him/her with a command like “sit”. If you want to break his/her focus, simply redirect your dog’s attention back to you.
  • Take your dog’s favorite treats with you while on a walk. Give it as a reward to positively reinforce your dog’s behavior when you are able to distract him/her from eating grass.
  • Keep your dog’s attention for more than a brief moment: Once your dog has stopped eating grass, keep his/her attention with a happy tone of voice, and repeat the command again whenever necessary.
  • Make sure your dog isn’t bored: play with him/her daily and multiple times. Dogs sometimes seem to eat grass simply out of boredom, or as a means to try and catch our attention.
  • Countdown from three: you can apply gentle pressure around your pet’s head/shoulder area to encourage him/her to lift the head up and away from the grass.
  • Please ensure your dog has complete nutrition. One reason dogs eat grass is that their diet may be lacking in some nutrients. Always as a veterinarian for advice on your dog’s diet. For many dogs, treats (like vegetables and fruits), as well as supplements, provide a healthy source of nutrients and minerals. Some treats and supplementary foods can be given daily in addition to kibble or canned diets; but again, it is best to first consult your dog’s vet to be sure. Some dogs with certain conditions should not eat certain foods, however conventionally healthy they may be concerned. Check out our article about some of the best fruits and vegetables you can feed your dog, here!

To sum it up, eating grass is a very common habit among dogs. Sometimes they do it for physical reasons, some others for psychological reasons (boredom, anxiety). You shouldn’t necessarily be worried about it unless:

  • Your dog does it regularly and in an excessive quantity, often causing vomiting.
  • Your dog shows signs of possible toxicity (from pesticides) after eating grass.
  • Your dog starts feeling sick.
  • You are concerned about whether your dog is getting complete nutrition. 

Bear in mind that building a relationship with a trustworthy vet and consulting him/her over behaviors and other health aspects of your dog, is one of the best decisions you can make for your dog!

[Please note that this article cannot replace veterinary/ expert advice on why dogs eat grass. The article is meant to help you assess possible reasons why dogs may eat grass; but we do suggest using your sound judgement to seek professional help for your dog with any concerns arising.]

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[Published: October 11th 2021
Edited: November 2nd 2021]

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