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Why Does My Dog Eat Grass?

The Paw Print

Essential Pet Blog

Brown dog laying in tall grass. Why Does My Dog Eat Grass?

As dog-lovers, there are certain common mysteries we all seek to understand. Why is my dog’s poop white? How many times does my dog need to circle before he can lie down? When I tell my dog to stop barking, does she think “Great! We’re barking together!”? Today, we’re tackling one of the other great canine mysteries: why do dogs eat grass?

Why Does My Dog Eat Grass?

Pica

Pica is the term for an eating disorder in which pups compulsively eat non-food items. Commonly consumed items range from dirt to paper, and yes, even grass. Sometimes the items ingested are harmless, but other times they can be dangerous. Pica can be often the sign of psychological issues, including (but not limited to) separation anxiety, stress, frustration, lack of socialization or boredom. If you suspect that your dog has pica, contact your veterinarian for an evaluation.

Nutrition

Although it’s highly unlikely that your pooch is chomping on your lawn to fill a nutritional void, the theory that your pup is eating the green stuff because he’s missing some important vitamins is one that inevitably gets brought up. That’s not to say that grass doesn’t carry some nutritional value for your dog- it is a source of fiber, which is essential for digestive regularity. Your dog’s diet is probably not the reason she’s eating grass, but if you’re concerned about her nutrition or digestion, you could always supplement her regular dog food with a high-quality multivitamin and a probiotic.

Stomach soothing

The old wive’s tale says that dogs eat grass to soothe an upset stomach. The belief is that the dog instinctively knows that grass will make him vomit and that vomiting will lead to relief. Studies show that less than 25% of dogs actually vomit after eating grass, so this theory isn’t exactly air-tight.

Instinct

In the wild, dogs ate whatever they could. Their diets consisted of animals they hunted and whatever they could scavenge, including grass and plants. It’s possible that modern, domesticated dogs eat grass as an unrealized nod to their heritage.

because they like it

Speculate as we may on the topic, it could simply be that your dog likes grass. There are some things we may never understand about our best friends, and grass-eating may just be one of those things.

Is it safe?

Although it’s generally not dangerous for your dog to eat grass itself on occasion, it’s probably not a habit you want to encourage. Grass that has been chemically treated poses serious health risks, and you can never be too cautious. If you’re concerned about your dog’s grass consumption, talk with your veterinarian. He or she may be able to provide you with suggestions to help curb your pooch’s grazing habits.

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