Why does my dog eat grass? Am I feeding him enough? Is he craving more “greens”? Is it bad for dogs to eat grass?
Watching your dog eating grass for the first time can raise a question or two. So, what’s really going on here - and should you be worried?
Is It Just My Dog Who Eats Grass?
Not at all. In fact, one US survey found that as many as 68% of dogs do it.
Watch your dog eating grass and you’ll notice that we’re hardly dealing with “grazing” here. Most of the time, your buddy’s grass-based snack will just be a small mouthful of the stuff.
It’s part of a wider pattern of animal behaviour we call pica - where animals chew and swallow items that have little or no nutritional value to them. For eating grass, there’s probably a reason behind it - it’s just that scientists haven’t quite been able to say for definite what that reason is...
Do Dogs Eat Grass to Make Themselves Vomit?
When it comes to explanations, this has traditionally been one of the main contenders. The idea is that the dog instinctively knows that it should try to purge its stomach if it has eaten something it shouldn’t have. Or if it feels the first rumblings of an upset stomach, and so your dog may be eating grass to vomit
The only problem with it is that not all dogs vomit after eating grass. And if you were to ask an owner if their dog showed signs of an upset tummy either before or after they’ve swallowed the grass, many would say that there wasn’t. So, if you see your dog eating grass and vomiting afterwards it’s hard to say whether this was coincidence or not. If it just happens occasionally then it’s nothing to worry about.
What Do Dogs Eat?
Dogs are omnivores which means they eat both meat and plants. They need a balance of nutrients in their diet, including protein (meat) and carbohydrates (dog biscuits). Protein is important for body tissues, and carbohydrates provide your dog with the energy it needs.
Animal fat is also important for energy and essential vitamins, it gives dog food flavour and texture. Other essential vitamins and minerals are usually naturally present in, or added to, commercial dog foods.
Could It Be Because They Are Missing Something in Their Diet?
This is possible, but in most cases at least, unlikely. On the scale of things, the amount of grass that they tend to eat is very small. And even dogs who are getting everything they need from a good quality feed (including plenty of fibre) will eat grass from time to time.
Are They Just Curious About What It Tastes Like?
Again, it’s a possibility. But if this was all there was to it, you’d probably expect it to be limited to young pups. After they’d tried it once and realised that it was nothing special, they wouldn’t go back to it again.
Fact is that many dogs who have tried grass once will tend to go back to it - which leads scientists to believe that there must be some reason to it, or maybe they just like chewing it!
Is It to Keep Parasites at Bay?
As highlighted by canine behaviourist Stanley Coren in Psychology Today, this theory relates to the behaviour seen in your dog’s wild ancestors: wolves.
Very often, wild canids droppings, like wolves, will contain grass. So why would a wolf benefit from eating grass? It’s thought that as it passes through the intestinal tract, the grass wraps itself around worms and other parasites that are present there; effectively giving the gut a good clear-out, but there isn’t much evidence to support this theory.
Thankfully these days, your dog is able to take advantage of more effective ways of getting rid of parasites. The parasites encountered by the domestic dog population also differ quite a lot to the pests that wolves have to deal with.
That said, it’s thought that we could be looking at an ancient evolutionary throwback here. In other words, your 21st Century dog might be still hardwired to tuck into some grass once in a while, as a way of keeping their insides parasite-free.
Is Grass Good for Dogs?
Grass isn’t something that’s thought to be needed by dogs as part of their diet and isn't exactly recommended as a food item to feed your dog. Your dog will not be nutritionally deficient in any way if they don’t have access to grass. They’ll enjoy running on it, rolling on it and possibly even digging in it, but they don’t need to eat. They may choose to eat a bit occasionally and that is absolutely fine too.
So, Should I Be Worried About It?
This type of grass-eating behaviour is very common, and it doesn’t seem to do our four-legged friends any harm. So, you can be relaxed about dogs eating grass it - and there’s definitely no need for a telling off! And in answer to the question, “can dogs eat grass”, the answer is definitely “yes”, your canine eating grass will not do them any harm, but if you notice this happening more than usual or your pooch is not quite themselves, call your vet for advice.
That said, if your dog suddenly eats a lot of grass like crazy, having never normally done so before, then it may be worth speaking to your vet to check this isn’t an indicator that they’re feeling unwell. They can advise you on the best ways to get your dog to stop eating grass.
Just be aware that some types of grass are poisonous to dogs. In the UK especially, all dog owners should learn to identify foxtail - and keep your dog well clear of it. This grass variety has long spiky seeds that can cause pain, infections and sometimes even death if accidentally eaten or if it goes through the skin and penetrates an organ. Keep an eye out for it - and keep your dog out of the long grass, and plants!
Did you know that grass seeds are one of the most common causes of ear infection? If your dog ate grass from a regular grass patch, this is usually fine. But after a country hike or a quick lap around your local park, it’s always a good idea to take a good look inside the ears and carefully clear out any debris.
Checking and cleaning inside ears is especially recommended with the likes of hairy breeds such as Spaniels, Poodles and other long-eared breeds, whose heads are always so close to the ground!
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