Did you notice your dog munching on grass as you take a walk? You are not alone. This is a common behavior that puzzles many pet owners out there. But why do dogs eat grass?
Eating grass is completely normal and you don’t have to worry about it. Most dogs do it at some point in their lives. Read on and let’s explore the reasons in detail.
They Like the Taste of Grass
One of the main reasons why dogs eat grass is that they like the taste of it. Grass has a fresh and a mild flavor. This is appealing to many dogs. That’s the same reason why you can see dogs prefer eating young and tender grass shoots in spring. It’s pretty much similar to the situation where you crave a particular food. Your dog is in love with the taste and texture of it.
It Helps Their Stomach
Many believe that dogs eat grass to soothe their upset stomachs. That’s mainly because some dogs vomit shortly after eating grass. As a result, dog owners believe that their dog ate grass just because it needed a throw up.
However, recent studies show that most dogs don’t actually vomit after eating grass. In fact, less than 25% of dogs do it. However, you should also keep in mind that grass can add fiber to the daily diet of your dog. It can help your dog with digesting food and keep things moving through the system.
It’s an Ancestral Behavior
Dogs evolved from volves, and they are omnivores. In other words, wolves eat both meat and plants. Wild canines often consume grass, berries and other vegetation as a part of their natural diet. Your dog could also be acting based on ancient instincts when eating grass.
This is a common behavior that you can find across all dog breeds. Hence, you shouldn’t take it as a sign indicating that something is wrong. Just keep in mind that your dog is being a dog.
They are Bored and Anxious
Boredom can also lead your dog to eating grass. What if you don’t provide enough exercise or mental stimulation to your dog? Then they might turn to grass eating as something that they could do. It is quite similar to the situation where you snack when you are bored.
However, anxiety can trigger grass eating among dogs as well. Dogs that experience stress will eat grass as a self-soothing behavior. If you notice that your dog is eating grass obsessively, this is something that you need to discuss with your vet.
Nutritional Gaps
This is not so common, but there are some dogs who tend to eat grass to take missing nutrients in their diet. Grass is a rich source of vitamins, minerals and chlorophyll. It can be appealing to a dog who has dietary deficiencies. However, most commercial dog foods available out there offer nutrients needed by your dog. If you are giving a nutritional diet to your dog, you don’t need to worry too much about this reason.
Should You Worry?
In most instances, grass eating is harmless for dogs. However, there are few things that you need to be mindful about. It is important to ensure the grass eaten by your dog is not treated with any pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers. That’s because these chemicals can make your dog sick.
You will also need to keep an eye on sharp grass blades or foxtails that could injury the mouth and digestive tract of your dog. If you see your dog starting to eat grass obsessively all of a sudden, it is better to contact your vet.
