Have you ever seen a dog eat grass? They do it all the time. The common explanation as to why dogs eat grass is because it’s sick… This is not always true. If your dog is grazing but not sick, then the herbivore side of your dog is craving some plant life. There are a few theories as to why dogs eat grass.
- Your dog is sick
- Minerals, vitamins and fiber
- Marking or covering scent
- Simply, they like the taste
Stomach issues seem to be the first thing people think when they see a dog eating grass. But you have to look at the entire picture to establish if your dog is sick. Look for other signs of sickness as well; heavy panting, are they lethargic, or is there a loss of appetite. These are signs your dog may be sick and they can be accompanied by grass and foam vomit. Being sick is one reason why dogs eat grass. But what if your dog eats grass and you don’t see any other signs of sickness?
The next theory as to why dogs eat grass can also be categorized in digestion and nutritional needs. Your dog could be deficient in a nutrient. Dogs are omnivores. When you consider that dogs, like wolves and other canines in the wild, eat a collection of nutrients, such as grass, berries, and other plants, not just wild game; it’s easier to see that adding a nutrient could be why dogs eat grass. Domestic dogs are limited to the foods we feed them, you might want to look into more nutrient dense foods if your dog is supplementing by eating grass.
Added to the nutritional value dogs may use grass as a fiber. Most articles state that grass cannot be digested by a dog’s system; which makes sense because full-intact blades do come back up when the dog vomits, and only 25% of dogs actually vomit after eating grass. So is the grass being used as a filler, like a fiber, when the stomach is empty? An empty stomach could be why dogs eat grass. If you have a grazing dog, try a good snack in between feeding times.
Does it appear your dog is nibbling on the grass? Are you familiar with the term ‘mouthing.’ This is another dog behavior that could have multiple causation. Dogs use their mouth to experience the world around them. If your dog looks like they are eating grass but they are not really consuming it, they could just be investigating. It’s also possible that your dog is leaving his or her scent. In some situations communication and scenting might be why dogs eat grass.
Lastly, when it comes to the question, why dogs eat grass is simple, they just might like the taste. Regardless as to ‘why’ and as long as your pooch does not have any troubling symptoms that coincide with eating grass, this behavior is relatively safe. Rest assured dogs eating grass shouldn’t be concerning. It’s in their nature and it does not always mean they are sick. But as always, know your dog…if this is something new and you feel your dog is showing signs of distress or illness, never hesitate to contact your veterinarian. Otherwise “let them eat grass.”
For other great dog tips and suggestions see the complete list of Beach Dog Blogs on Newburyport.com.
