Why Is My Dog Eating Grass?

Help! Why is my dog eating grass? Is eating grass normal for dogs? Is it safe for my dog to eat grass? If any of these questions are something you ask yourself on a regular basis, then look no further for the answers to these questions. This article will try to explain some of the reasons for your dog eating grass.

Why do dogs eat grass?

Grass eating can be normal for dogs and is quite common among the domestic and wild dog populations. However, this behaviour can become a problem when your dog eats grass excessively at every chance it gets and especially if they are vomiting from it. So, what are some reasons for it?

To Ease Gastrointestinal Upset – Dogs primarily eat grass when they have an upset stomach. If your dog has an upset stomach, they will instinctively seek out some grass to eat as they know it will make them throw up. Once they consume enough grass, this will trigger them to vomit and this will relieve their discomfort. If your dog does this regularly, please seek advice from your local veterinary practice as there may be an underlying cause for their stomach upset.

Adjustment of Gut Health – Dogs like humans have a microbiome in their gut which contains all kinds of bacteria to aid digestion. Grass contains prebiotic fibre which may be lacking in your dogs diet. By eating grass, this allows them to adjust their gut flora and keep it healthy.

To supplement essential and specific nutrient requirements – In a recent report, scientists observed that grass eating in dogs is an ordinary tendency. They surmised that this may be an acquired way of behaving, since wild dogs eat whole prey creatures, including the insides (guts), which commonly contain processed plant matter.

Furthermore, it’s plausible that the grasses your dog likes to indulge in contains supplements that their body needs. Grass is full of fibre. It also contains phytonutrients, which are high in potassium and chlorophyll. Your dog could be searching out particular grasses to make up for the lack of a certain supplement that they are not presently getting in their eating routine.

Does Your Dog Constantly Eat Grass?

In the event that your dogs grass eating is persistent and makes them regurgitate regularly, you should schedule a visit to your local veterinary practice as there may be an underlying health issue. It may be that a check up with the vet shows that your dog has a vitamin deficiency or that your dog has a sensitive stomach. They will be able to advise on a course of action to take to address this health issue and this may make your dog stop eating grass.

However if your dog is getting ideal nourishment from their food and their gut microbiome is healthy, yet they still eat a lot of grass, this could be normal for your dog as the young fast growing shoots of grass may just be their favourite snack. Also assuming that your dog is particular about the grass they eat, picking tall, wide grasses to snack on (the sort that commonly develop along a wall line or between breaks in the walkway) and afterward continues on, they’re most probably eating grass since they want to. There’s no reason to worry for your dog as long as you’re certain the grass they’re eating is free from pesticides, herbicides, and different impurities.