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As much as we like to think that we train our pets, they've done a darn good job training us too. Just look at Walter, the Drummond dog, who's figured out how to get back inside while Ree tries to enjoy her morning iced coffee. All it takes is a howling routine. "It's pathetic. I try not to look at him, but he wins every time, and I let him back in," Ree jokes. Kudos to the smartest dog breeds! (Okay, basset hounds aren't in the top 10, but they deserve a participation medal).
What seems like a weird habit to us probably makes perfect sense to our dogs. For example, you may go out walking with your pup only to find it lagging behind, grazing like cattle. You probably wonder, why the heck is my dog eating grass? They sometimes get sick from it, so is it even okay for dogs to eat grass?
What causes a dog to eat grass?
You and your furry friend are not alone. Grass eating is a very common dog behavior that owners observe—in a web-based study published in The Journal of Applied Animal Behavior Science, 68% of pet owners reported their dogs ate plant material, most often grass, on a daily or weekly basis. "Eating grass has been observed in both domestic and wild canines, yet the reason for it remains largely unknown," explains Dr. Katy Nelson, senior veterinarian at Chewy. "That being said, there are a few main theories for why we observe this behavior in dogs." Here are the main reasons, and other important facts.
They're trying to soothe an upset stomach.
Your dog may be attempting to soothe their stomach due to an underlying cause that you might not even be aware of. Of the respondents in the web-based study, only 8% reported signs of illness in their dog before they started nibbling on plants. "One hypothesis for this is that plant material increases movement of contents through the gastrointestinal tract, which may help facilitate the passage of intestinal parasites," Dr. Nelson says.
Grass eating may also be a sign that they have worms, especially when the behavior is coupled with diarrhea. (Yikes!)
They have a nutritional deficiency or are thirsty.
As much as we like to toss our dogs scraps from our plates, this won't necessarily provide them with their needed nutrients. Like humans, pups need a balance of water, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins.
"Eating an excessive amount of grass can also be related to feeling hungry," Dr. Nelson says. "So, in these cases, simply increasing the frequency of meals or adding a fiber supplement can help pups." Dr. Nelson adds that grass may fill that need for fiber.
They're bored or anxious.
Humans sometimes snack when bored or anxious, and dogs may eat grass for the same reason. If you observe other behaviors commonly associated with dog anxiety or boredom, like excessive barking, drooling, pacing, panting, or aggression, consider adding a few chew toys to their life.
Should I stop my dog from eating grass?
The short answer is no, you shouldn't stop your dog from eating grass. They may know better than you what is going on inside their bodies or minds. "As long as eating grass does not appear to be harming your dog in any way, allowing them to do so every now and then is fine," advises Dr. Nelson. This is especially true when you consider the suggested positive benefits.
The whole throwing-up thing isn't necessarily a bad either. If there is an underlying stomach issue or they are nauseous, they may eat the grass to throw up and feel better. "The reason some dogs may throw up after gnawing on grass is also because the long blades can tickle their throat and lead to a reactive reflex," adds Dr. Nelson.
The one main reason to prevent dogs from munching on the lawn is pesticides. Grass treated with chemicals may cause your dog to throw up, so use organic weed killers and keep an eye out for signs indicating that an area has recently been treated.
Micaela Bahn is a freelance editorial assistant and recent graduate from Carleton College, where she majored in English literature. She loves running, photography, and cooking the best new recipes.
