Why do Dogs Eat Grass

Is your pooch grazing on your lawn? This is common behavior that baffles many pet parents. In fact,   one survey found that grass is the most commonly eaten plant by dogs. But why do they do it?

1.       He may be bored: In some cases, eating grass is just something to do to pass the time. He’s got the backyard to himself but not much to do there. Are you providing regular exercise and mental challenges for your pup? Do you notice your pup eating more grass during times when you’re not walking or paying them as much attention? Sometimes the solution can be as simple as providing a chew toy as an alternative or dedicating yourself to providing a consistent exercise routine.

2.       It’s tasty: Your dog eats every last morsel he can find under your dinner table after a meal, so why stop there? As natural scavengers, canines are programmed to search for nutrition anywhere they can find it. It’s possible that your dog finds the flavor or texture of grass yummy. Or it could be filling a nutritional need that his normal food isn’t, especially fiber. Some people find that the behavior stops after they switch to a high-fiber dog food. If you think this might be the case for your pup, consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your dog’s diet.

3.       Stomach distress: Some experts believe that grass is a form of self-medication. When your dog has tummy troubles, he turns to grass for relief. This is more likely if the behavior starts suddenly or if your dog is very anxious about needing to eat the grass, often extending his neck and making swallowing motions, and then vomiting afterwards. But most studies have found that this is actually quite rare – less than 25 percent of dogs vomit after eating grass and only 10 percent showed signs of illness beforehand.

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