Reasons My Dog Is Eating Grass

Eating grass is a relatively common dog behavior. More than 60% of dog owners have reported their pets eating grass and some may do it as often as weekly. While many of the reasons a dog may chew on the grass are nothing to worry about, sometimes consistent grass chewing can be an indicator of a health problem.

Before worrying there may be a serious issue or jumping to conclusions, understand the various causes of grass eating in pets.

Reason #1

Boredom

Dogs love chewing things. Toys, leftover food, sticks, you name it. Grass on the ground is no exception to a dog eating or chewing something out of boredom. Your pet may be wanting some extra attention from you, or the grass may simply be a convenient thing to chew while you sit outside in your backyard with them.

Reason #2

Upset Stomach

Sometimes grass chewing can be an indicator that your pup has digestive problems. Instinctively, the dogs know that eating grass can induce vomiting and may do it to relieve gastrointestinal trouble. Grass also contains fiber that can help regulate a dog’s digestion and bring its stomach acid pH to a healthy level.

Reason #3

Not Enough Nutrition in Your Dog’s Diet

If your dog isn’t getting enough of all the necessary nutrients like protein, fat, carbs, and vitamins, they may try to supplement their diet with grass. Since they are smart creatures, if they are lacking those crucial vitamins they will seek out things they have access to in order to fulfill those needs.

Reason #4

They Like the Taste

Just like humans have their preferences in what they eat, grass might just be your dog’s favorite snack of choice. They could enjoy the texture of the moisture on the grass, or they may eat it out of curiosity to see if they will like the taste.

Reason #5

An Underlying Medical Condition

In rare cases, eating grass could be an indication that your dog has a medical condition called pica. Pica is a condition in which an animal consistently chews or eats things that have no health or nutritional value to them. It’s more likely for this to occur in younger, less mature dogs. Pica is often touted as a behavioral problem that needs special training or therapy to address.

When To See Your Vet

Grass in and of itself is not harmful to dogs. What is harmful are the toxins in the environment that get sprayed on the grass. If your dog ingests these chemicals frequently, it could develop health problems that require a vet to address. If your dog only occasionally eats grass, there is no need to rush to see a vet unless you notice symptoms of a problem. However, if your dog is frequently chewing grass or other non-edible materials, schedule an appointment with a professional to get to the root of the issue.