Have you ever wondered why your dog eats grass? Have you been told its because they are sick? Do you worry when your prized pet dog and best friend suddenly wants to eat grass whilst on a walk? Then hopefully we can provide some answers in this short article.
Seeing your dog eat grass for the first time can be a surprise and when talking to other dog owners, the first thing they will probably says is that your dog is feeling unwell or is sick.
Often you will be told that your dog is trying to induce vomit to make their stomach feel better, but in most instances there is no reason to worry.
Let us explain why you dog might suddenly want to start eating grass.
1. Grass simply tastes nice to dog’s, that’s why they eat it.
One of the main reasons that dogs eat grass is because they simply enjoy it, most dogs are not unwell before they eat grass and most do not vomit after eating grass.
Don’t think of dogs as just meat eaters, plants and fruits can be an important part of a dogs diet, just watch their reaction the first time they try to eat a strawberry,
New grass growth, between spring and summer (April to August), can be a trigger for your dogs amazing sense of smell, with the fresh scent being irresistible to their taste buds, or they just want to satisfy their inquisitive instincts and try something different.
2. Dogs eating grass could possibly be a sign of a dietary infection.
It is possible that your dog may have a dietary infection and they are naturally seeking a bit of extra fibre or ruffage in their diet.
Chewing grass can also help stimulate dietary movement and offer relief to the dog.
3. Dogs simply enjoy eating grass.
Dogs are natural scavengers and remember they have not always enjoyed the luxury of having owners bring a healthy bowl of kibble to them on a regular daily basis.
4. Boredom in dogs can cause grass eating behaviour.
Dogs love attention and they need to keep their minds active. Sometimes if they learn that they get a reaction or attention from a worried owner when they eat grass, it becomes instinctive or a learned behaviour, for them to seek this attention by eating grass quickly, vomiting, then waiting for all the attention from their owners.
5. Dogs could eat grass because of an upset tummy.
Your dog may have an upset tummy, but this is usually followed by the dog vomiting / being sick or behaving unusually.
Sometimes when dogs eat grass, they eat it very quick in large quantities, which like in humans, can cause you to vomit, dogs are the same, so therefore may not be a sign of illness.
6. Its not really that uncommon for dogs to eat grass.
Recent scientific studies by vets and animal researchers has indicated that less than 25% of dogs actually vomit after eating grass and only 8-10% of dogs show any signs of being ill before eating grass.
Dogs like to scavenge, they are interested in new things and quite honestly who knows how a dogs mind really thinks.
If you compare yourself to a dog, how often do you try new things that you would not normally eat (although we are not suggesting you eat grass).
How to stop a dog from eating grass.
Whilst eating grass is not necessarily harmful, it’s not also the best food source for them and there is always the risk that they could accidentally ingest something toxic or poisonous in the grass.
Training and recognised behaviour is the best way to sop your dog from eating grass. On walks always try and discourage your dog from eating grass by using the ‘leave’ command, which is an essential part of puppy training.
Carry treats with you to distract your dog when they start to eat grass or show an interest in grass, but make sure you do not associate eating grass with treat rewarding. Call your dog back with a promise of a treat and walk with them alongside you before suppling the treat.
Why Dog Eat Grass - A Conclusion:
In most cases if your dog is eating grass then probably nothing is wrong with them.
Dogs often like to eat grass and commonly if they eat it too fast they could vomit, but its not always the case that they eat grass in order to vomit.
In summary, a dog eating grass is not always a sign of dietary or health issues, in most cases its just a natural instinctive habit that’s dogs possess. Some just like it more than others.
As always, with any pet, their heath condition can change very quickly without warning, so if you have any concerns about your dogs heath, then always contact your vet as soon as possible.
Also if you see any signs of discomfort in your dog, or if they are restless or acting out of character its always best to consult with your vet as soon as possible.
