Written in collaboration with vets
If you’re like many dog parents, you may have noticed your pet eating grass while you’re out on walks or your dog is playing in the garden. Pet parents can have a variety of reactions to seeing this for the first time, ranging from shock and concern to simple curiosity.
This behaviour isn’t uncommon, and is observed across different dog breeds and ages. While your dog nibbling on the lawn isn’t usually anything to be concerned about, it can be helpful to learn more about this behaviour to understand your pet and ensure they’re in the best health possible.
Here’s a closer look at why dogs eat grass, the health implications around this behaviour, and what you can do to ensure grass eating isn’t a health concern.
When exploring the question “Why do dogs eat grass?”, the first thing to know is that it isn’t an uncommon behaviour.
Studies by UC Davis teaching hospital published by Psychology Today showed that in a survey of over 1,500 pet parents, 68% said their dogs ate grass on a daily or weekly basis, and only 22% regularly vomit after eating grass.
While there’s no single consensus on why this is such a common behaviour in dogs, there are several theories espoused by veterinarians that could explain why you might see your pet eating grass.
In some instances, dogs may eat grass to get fibre in their diet, which is important for their ability to digest food and produce faeces. This could be a likely reason if you observe a dog eating grass in combination with other behaviour that could be a sign of an unbalanced diet or illness, like when a dog refuses to walk.
Grass eating in dogs may also be a response to stress or boredom when left in the garden alone. It’s common for dogs to experience anxiety when their parent is gone for a while, and chewing on grass is an easy way to stimulate themselves and pass the time. Simply trying to relieve stress can be the root of answering questions around other behaviours, such as why do dogs pant even if they haven’t been exercising.
As dog experts, we’re often asked the question “Can dogs eat grass, or will it make them sick?”
In the majority of cases, the short answer is yes, dogs can eat grass without any ill health effects.
As long as your dog has been treated to prevent lungworm (a parasite which can be picked up by eating slugs or snails), the grass they’re eating hasn’t been sprayed with pesticides, and their grass eating doesn’t become excessive, there’s usually nothing to worry about when you see your dog nibbling on grass.
So, dogs eating grass generally isn’t a cause for concern, but is grass good for dogs?
Grass is good for dogs to some extent, as it contains fibre, which is essential for dogs’ digestive health, and contains some trace amounts of vitamins and minerals. This nutritional content is one of the common theories cited in response to the question “why do dogs eat grass?”
Despite this, the sustenance found in grass is fairly insignificant compared to quality, nutritionally complete dog food. With this in mind, eating grass shouldn’t be actively encouraged to avoid the small risk of your dog ingesting pesticides or foreign objects.
While the answer to the question “why is my dog eating grass?” is usually benign, in some cases, there may be a connection between dogs feeling discomfort and a habit of eating grass.
Dogs may instinctively eat grass as a remedy to digestive issues, as grass is sometimes considered a mild laxative which can help to alleviate constipation. Upset tummies are common health issues in dogs and generally nothing to be concerned with, but excessive grass consumption is worth consulting a vet about to rule out potential health issues causing the desire to eat grass.
As a pet parent, it’s important to keep a close eye on your dog’s habit of eating grass, and pay attention to your dog’s overall behaviour and health indicators. Occasionally nibbling on grass, when it’s accompanied by no other adverse effects, generally isn’t anything to worry about.
However, if you notice excessive grass eating, or other symptoms such as your dog not drinking or eating, frequent vomiting, lethargy, or diarrhoea, it could be a sign of a more serious issue that requires veterinary attention.
Though there’s generally a normal and healthy answer behind the question “why do dogs eat grass?”, it’s important to distinguish normal grass consumption from instances where it might be more concerning.
Some of the signs your dog’s grass eating might have gotten too much include:
You can reduce the risk of health problems associated with grass consumption by keeping your lawn trimmed and free of weeds and pesticides, and educating yourself on common contaminants or foreign objects that can lead to dogs getting sick by eating grass.
As with any health concerns, if you’re worried about your dog’s grass consumption, it’s important to take them for regular vet check-ups for personalised advice and general health monitoring.
For more information on monitoring your dog’s health, be sure to check out our guide “Why do dogs lick you”.
If you’ve found yourself wondering “why is my dog eating grass?” or worried about what it could be doing to your pet’s tummy, we hope this guide has put your mind at ease.
While in most cases eating grass is a normal and harmless behaviour, having a proactive approach to pet care and seeking professional advice from your veterinarian when in doubt will help minimise the risks of eating grass and ensure your dog stays happy and healthy.
Be sure to check out our other dog advice for more helpful pointers on pet care, and support on understanding dog behaviour and health.
