Should My Dog Be Eating Grass?

April 29, 2020

Are you finding yourself wondering if you bought a cow instead of a dog? If so, you’re not alone in this dilemma. Many dog owners find themselves scratching their heads and wondering why their beloved pooch is dining on the backyard grass. You may be asking yourself if this is normal behavior and if it’s good for him. So, let’s dig a little deeper into this doggy behavior.

It’s more common than you might think, so you don’t really have to be concerned about them eating grass. Pica, the disorder that is characterized by eating non-food things, could indicate a nutritional imbalance or alert you to some boredom that is commonly found in puppies and younger dogs.

Most veterinarians consider this activity to be normal and has also been observed in wild dogs as well. In one small-scale study, 79% of 49 dog owners and their dogs with regular access to grass said that their pooches ate grass or some other backyard vegetation.

So, why is your dog eating grass? Some people think it’s because their dog isn’t feeling well and others while others dispute that thought by saying that dogs couldn’t possibly be smart enough to eat grass to treat an unsettled tummy. Also, even after grass-eating, most dogs don’t vomit and typically weren’t unwell prior to chowing down on this green delicacy.

Another thought is that dogs are trying to improve their digestion, potentially treating stomach worms, or fulfilling some unmet nutritional needs like getting nutritional fiber. If you think that your dog needs more fiber in her diet, try finding a food that is higher in fiber to see if that helps. If it doesn’t, then Bella just might like the taste and texture of grass.

Sometimes, dogs eat grass out of pure boredom. If that is the case, then increasing playtime or upping your walking routine would be beneficial. Find some new activities or take your dog to your local Petland and pick out some new sturdy toys that will keep him occupied.

Lastly, while grazing on your lawn may not be harmful, you need to make sure that when you’re out you should work on curbing your dog’s appetite for grass. The reason for this is because you don’t know what kind of herbicides or pesticides that may have been used. These can be very toxic to dogs, along with certain types of vegetation.

So, while you are sure now that you don’t have a cow with paws on your hand, keep watch over your dog to make sure that his diet is the right one and he’s not munching your neighbor’s marigolds.

✓ The information on this website is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice.