Worried about your dog eating grass? In this article, we’ll dig into the topic of dog grass-eating to help you better understand why your dog might be nibbling at your lawn and whether you need to do something about it.
Is It OK for Dogs to Eat Grass?
In most cases, it’s perfectly normal and harmless for a dog to eat grass. Some of the more common reasons this occurs are:
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Upset stomach: Sometimes dogs eat grass to help soothe a mildly upset stomach.
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Instinctual behavior: Dogs are omnivores, so plants have always been a part of their diet … even if grass may offer little more than filling an empty stomach.
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Boredom: Sometimes dogs simply eat grass out of curiosity, boredom, or to try to get attention.
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Dietary deficiencies: Grass eating can be a sign that your dog needs more fiber in their diet. It can also signal a nutrient deficiency.
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Taste or texture preference: Some dogs simply enjoy the taste and texture of eating grass.
So, yes, if your dog occasionally eats grass, it’s probably fine. But if your dog is showing other symptoms along with increased grass eating, or if their grass eating is compulsive, then there could be a more serious underlying problem.
Should I Be Worried if My Dog Eats Grass?
Once again, if your dog is eating grass, it’s probably nothing to be concerned about. However, if that behavior is accompanied by other symptoms, then it should become a concern. The following symptoms, combined with eating grass, could mean that your dog has a serious health issue:
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Frequent vomiting
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Lethargy
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Diarrhea
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Loss of appetite
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Sudden behavioral changes
These symptoms could indicate that your dog has consumed grass that is contaminated by pesticides, herbicides, or fecal matter from other dogs (potentially transmitting parvovirus or parasites). If your dog is showing any of these symptoms along with increased grass eating, make sure to consult your veterinarian right away.
Another thing to keep an eye on is whether the grazing is occasional behavior or compulsive habit. As we noted earlier, there are several benign reasons your dog might occasionally eat grass. Compulsive grass eating, on the other hand, could indicate that your dog is dealing with anxiety issues or has a diet deficient in vitamins and minerals. In either case, you should consult your veterinarian to determine the best course of action for your pet.
What Should I Give My Dog if It's Eating Grass?
How to help your dog if it’s eating grass entirely depends on the underlying reason it’s happening. If your dog’s diet is lacking in vitamins and minerals, you should consider using a higher quality of food and a supplement for dogs, such as Multivitamin Dog Chews. If your dog’s diet is lacking in fiber, then you should consider adding fiber-rich foods that are safe for dogs or a high-fiber Digestive Supplement for Dogs. You can also make sure your dog always has access to fresh water and is on a consistent feeding schedule. Make sure to also consult your vet, especially if you're adding a new supplement to your pet’s daily regimen.
5 Ways to Stop Your Dog from Eating Grass
Preventing your dog from excessively eating grass largely depends on the underlying factors in your dog’s behavior. But generally speaking, here are some best practices for curbing grass eating.
1. Increase Daily Exercise and Mental Stimulation
Dogs sometimes eat grass because they’re bored. Giving your dog sufficient daily exercise and mental stimulation helps lessen that boredom and cuts down on bored or attention-seeking behavior.
2. Improve Your Dog’s Diet Quality
As we’ve noted throughout this article, a diet lacking in vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients can lead your dog to instinctively make up for these shortcomings by eating grass. By improving the quality of your dog’s diet, you can help prevent this.
3. Add Fiber to Their Meals
Fiber is another essential part of your dog’s diet. If they don’t get sufficient fiber, dogs will seek that roughage from grass. Plant roughage helps to keep their digestive system moving.
4. Redirect the Behavior With Training Commands
A well-trained dog will understand when their behavior gets them into trouble. Be firm with your dog when you see that they’re eating grass and try to redirect them to some other task.
5. Limit Access to Treated or Tempting Grassy Areas
Whether your dog eats grass or not, you should make sure to avoid areas where herbicides and pesticides are used. This is especially important if your dog consumes grass, because those toxins go right into your dog’s bloodstream. And if your dog is a known grazer with a favorite patch of lawn to chew on, you can remove temptation by keeping them away from it.
Final Words
We hope this article has helped you better answer the question, why do dogs eat grass? As we’ve noted, occasional grass eating is fairly common, but you should keep a watchful eye out if your dog is showing signs of compulsive or obsessive grass-eating. And you should always keep an eye out for other symptoms that might indicate a more serious condition. We wish your pup (and you) the best of health!
Frequently Asked Questions About Dogs Eating Grass
1. Why do dogs eat grass and then vomit?
It’s a widely held belief that dogs eat grass in order to help them vomit, and thus relieve an upset stomach. This theory, unfortunately, is unproven and it may very well be that a dog that undertakes this kind of behavior was going to vomit anyway, with or without the grass.
2. What is a dog lacking when they eat grass?
When a dog eats grass, it can indicate that their diet is lacking in certain nutrients or doesn’t contain enough fiber.
3. Can eating grass mean my dog has worms?
Yes, if a dog suddenly starts eating grass excessively, it could mean they have worms (such as roundworms or hookworms). Dogs often eat grass to help with an upset stomach. If you notice that your dog is suddenly eating excessive amounts of grass, coupled with weight loss, lethargy, or vomiting, consult your vet right away.
4. Is grass eating a sign of nutritional deficiency?
Grass eating can be a sign of nutritional deficiency. Make sure you give your dog a nutrient-rich, high-fiber diet.
5. What nutrients does your dog need if they are eating grass?
If your dog eats a lot of grass, it could mean your pet is lacking key nutrients, such as iron, calcium, zinc, and vitamins A, C, D, or B-complex. It can also signal insufficient fiber in their diet.
