Joseph Roetheli, PhD
Highlights:
Dogs occasionally eat grass for various reasons. When a dog eats grass it usually indicates an issue that needs to be resolved.
Dogs may eat grass routinely or just once in a while.
Eating grass should not be encouraged, and there are proactive ways you can help your dog avoid a desire to graze in your yard.
For some pet owners, watching their dogs eat grass can only mean one thing: they’re going to vomit later. Although these experiences are anecdotal, they do cause us to associate grass-eating with gastrointestinal upset. Spoiler alert: most dogs that eat grass aren’t doing so because they have an upset stomach.
Dog owners have been asking their pet’s veterinarians for years why they sometimes forage on freshly mowed St. Augustine. The answer isn’t straightforward. Together, we’ll talk about why your dog might be eating grass, whether or not it is harmful, and what you can do to help limit this behavior.
If dogs are descendants of carnivores, why have they developed a grass-eating habit? Grass eating isn’t limited to one specific breed of dog, nor does it seem to be affected by a dog’s age.
And yes, even though some dogs vomit after eating grass, experts agree that dogs do not begin to eat grass to soothe an upset stomach, and many dogs do not vomit after consuming grass. So just what is behind your pup’s sudden obsession with sod?
There are a few possible explanations:
Most dogs get a balanced diet through the consumption of their daily kibble. However, if they have an underlying illness that prevents them from properly absorbing the vitamins and nutrients in their kibble, they may be left with a deficiency.
Additionally, nutritional deficiency issues can arise if a dog is being fed kibble that is formulated for a dog that is a different age than they are. For instance, if you feed a puppy adult dog food, they may not get adequate levels of protein, calcium, and phosphorus, resulting in a dietary deficiency.
Deficiencies can lead to picas, which are the consumption of non-food items. If your dog’s grass eating is new or has increased significantly, check with their veterinarian to ensure they should eat a different type of kibble.
Just like humans, dogs need fiber in their diet to support a healthy digestive tract. If your dog experiences constipation or lacks fiber in their diet, they may begin snacking on grass to fill the void.
Getting roughage in your dog’s diet is a good thing, but getting it from grass is not the best way to support a high-fiber diet for your dog. If your dog isn’t showing signs of illness associated with digestive system issues, ask their veterinarian if a higher-fiber kibble may help.
Dogs are, by nature, carnivores, but domesticated dogs are more omnivores, getting their dietary needs met not from killing small prey but from their dog food. Developing a grass-eating habit could be primal.
If dogs once ate animals that were herbivores, they may have been able to meet their dietary requirements for some vitamins and minerals through the food the prey had eaten. Now, they may still have a thread of DNA that causes them to desire the taste of grass their ancestors may have gotten when they ate small prey in the wild.
Dog behavior can be strange, especially when a dog is bored. Dogs need mental stimulation and physical stimulation to maintain health. Without a balance of both, dogs may develop undesirable behaviors like licking or chewing things they shouldn’t, running in circles, or even eating grass.
If it’s been a few days since your dog had a walk, the grass-eating could be a normal behavioral response to simply being unoccupied. A few laps around the block or a game in the park should help diminish the grass eating.
It’s impossible to rule out that dogs may eat grass simply because they like the taste. Grass-eating is a common behavior in dogs, and we cannot rule out the possibility that some dogs simply enjoy the taste, smell, and/or texture of grass.
Eating grass isn’t inherently dangerous for dogs, but it’s a habit that is best to break for several reasons.
While feasting on grass probably won’t hurt your dog, there are some potential risks associated with grass-eating that dog owners should be aware of.
If you live in a neighborhood where the common areas are frequently treated with chemicals for pest control or fertilization, it’s best to make sure your dog doesn’t eat grass in those areas.
While some pesticides and fertilizers may be harmless once they have dried, it may be impossible to know what chemicals were used in certain areas of your neighborhood. In that case, it’s best to avoid letting your dog eat grass.
Anytime your dog eats grass in an area where other animals may have pottied, there is a chance for them to ingest parasites. Specifically, parasitic worms like roundworms, hookworms, and other intestinal parasites are spread through animal poop, making grass-eating a little more dangerous than it seems.
Consider that even in your own fenced-in backyard, wild animals could have entered and left droppings that your dog may unsuspectingly ingest. Due to the risks associated with grass-eating, it’s best practice to learn ways to deter dogs from eating grass.
Helping your dog overcome a grass habit starts with a trip to their veterinarian for a checkup. A veterinarian can measure your dog’s health based on blood work, stool samples, and a physical examination.
Once underlying health problems or medical conditions that could be causing them to eat grass have been ruled out, you can begin to focus on ways to help your dog avoid eating grass.
Most dogs need between 30 minutes to two hours of exercise per day. If your dog isn’t getting enough exercise, they may resort to unwanted behaviors like eating grass. Giving your dog needed exercise can include walks, playtime, and trips to the dog park. You can break up the exercise into small walks throughout the day if that works better for your schedule.
Dog food can be a challenge, especially if you have a dog who has a restrictive diet due to allergies or food sensitivities. If your dog continues to eat grass, ask their veterinarian if they need a different type of food.
It is also important to make sure tha your dog is getting enough food to sustain their caloric needs but not so much that it will interfere with their ability to maintain a healthy weight.
If you find your dog munching on grass, offer them a treat instead. When offering the treat, make sure you call your dog away from the grass first.
Treats can be helpful tools for training and eliminating unwanted behaviors, but it’s important to remember that treats contain calories. Your dog’s daily kibble requirements will need to be adjusted by the caloric amount of their kibble so they do not gain weight.
Reducing your dog’s kibble to account for treats can be a challenge because treats may not contain the same types of nutrients and protein your dog needs. That’s why Yummy Combs is a solid solution. Our treats contain 44% chicken protein and 45 ingredients to provide your dog with a complete and balanced profile of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients so that there aren’t any gaps in their diet.
We can’t say for certain, but we’d bet that at least four out of five dogs agree Yummy Combs treats are superior in taste and texture to grass! The unique, wide design of Yummy Combs Treats provides a stimulating experience for dogs as they chew and tear and also deters gulping.
The thin walls and propriety Slick’M™ ingredient help Yummy Combs treats dissolve quickly in your dog’s stomach to reduce the risk of blockages in their digestive tract. As dog owners, you can be happy about offering Yummy Combs to your dog.
They are satisfying, nutritionally balanced, and scientifically proven to remove up to 25% of hardened tartar from your dog’s teeth. You’re deterring your dog from gass-eating, meeting their nutritional needs, and even keeping their teeth clean while your dog thinks they’re simply getting the best-ever “good dog” reward.
The next time you find your furry friend eating grass, grab a Yummy Comb, and help them move toward a healthier habit.
Sources:
Why Dogs Eat Grass | VCA Animal Hospitals
Why Does My Dog Eat Grass? | American Kennel Club
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Always feed the right treat size for your dog’s weight category. Always supervise your dog when feeding treats. This product is an adult only dog treat. Always provide ample fresh water for your dog.
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