Yes, dogs can eat grass. This is a very rare and unusual condition for some dogs to consider grass as their favourite snack. It is not necessarily a symptom which can be ignored every time but sometimes if your dog eats grass, the condition can be an indication of the worsening health conditions of your dog.
There are many factors which cause dogs to eat grass. These factors range from simply the boredom situation to the complexity of some disturbance in the gastrointestinal tract of the dog. But the urge of a dog to eat grass is a solid reason to watch your dog closely and carefully.
Below are some factors that can cause your dog to eat grass.
7 Reasons Why Do Dogs Eat Grass
Remember it is not a condition which can drastically affect your dog or can cause some fatal damage to your dog. Sometimes this behaviour is normal. Specifically, if we talk about domestic dogs they can show this nature for absolutely normal behaviour.
Considering it a very harmful condition is not a good idea because research shows that sometimes dogs eat grass just to get some extra nutrients. One study also suggests that even wild wolves show this rare behaviour to fulfil their biological needs. Here are the 7 most common reasons that can lead a dog to eat grass.
1 Dog Upset stomach
A dog’s upset stomach can be due to some dietary changes or if your dog eats indigestible substances which can even lead to inflammation of its stomach. This condition can cause your dog to eat grass because dogs have an instinct to induce vomiting.
2 Lack of fibre also causes dogs to eat grass
Dogs need fibre in their feed. So if any puppy has low fibre or lack of fibre in dog feed it will eat grass. Because grass or green plants and specifically their leaves are a very good source of fibre.
Research shows that an adult dog contains 50% carbohydrate by weight and 2.5% to 4.5%comes from fibre. So fibre should be a compulsory ingredient in the diet of a dog. Dogs need fibre to digest their food properly and to pass their stool smoothly. So any lack of fibre in their body leads to disturbance in the gastrointestinal tract. This indigestion will ultimately force your dog to eat grass. But remember too much fibre or grass can cause constipation.
3 Nutritional deficiency
If your dog is eating grass, it may be due to the diet of your dog lacking major vitamins and other nutrients then these missing nutrients will become deficient in the dog’s body. This deficiency of nutrients also can cause your dog to eat grass.
In this case, it is advisable to keep your dog checked by a vet. Nutrient deficiencies can cause a very complicated situation if not treated in time.
4 Dog anxiety problems can lead him to eat grass
Dog anxiety issue can lead it to eat grass. When dogs face anxiety issues they eat grass to get the self-soothing effect. If your dog eats grass it may face anxiety due to uncomfortable surroundings. Separation anxiety in dogs is one of the major issues that can cause your of to eat grass.
In 2020 a study in Japan concluded that one-third of almost 14000 dogs that are evaluated eat grass just because of anxiety issues. Dogs suffering from anxiety problems may show other related behavioural changes as well.
- Drooling of saliva
- Ears down and pulled
- Shaking
- Panting
- Licking Lips
- Whining
- Excessive barking
- Howling at night
Treatment of anxiety disorder mostly includes behavioural therapy.
5 Boredom or Separation
Dogs are one of the most smart creatures on the face of this earth. They need attention and love from their owners. Many dogs need outside walks and exercise daily. If a dog’s owner is not giving due attention to his/her dog it can also cause a dog to eat grass. Because every time a dog eats grass its owner has to pay attention to it. So boredom, loneliness and separation will eventually cause your pet to eat grass.
6 Enjoying the taste of grass
Although it is rare, sometimes dogs like the taste of grass. When a dog has a specific diet routine for a very long time it could have loved the taste and texture of the grass. Yes, even the leaves on green plants and the moisture on leaves can be a very enjoyable experience for the dog. Most puppies do it in spring or at some specific time of year.
7 Pica can also cause your dogs to eat grass
If you are wondering what is pica in dogs? Pica is a condition in which animals love to eat or chew indigestible substances. Dog eating grass by can be due to pica. Pica in dogs is a condition which can develop if the phosphorus (Mineral) is deficient in your dog. A study shows that pica in dogs can also cause to behave abnormally and bark in an unfamiliar way. You need to consult a vet for this condition. Dogs will not only eat grass but also other indigestible things which can cause catastrophic effects on its health.
Prevent your dogs from eating grass
First of all, you need to understand that either your dog eating grass is due to some abnormal reason like boredom, stomach problems, or pica or it is just a seasonal problem which may become more probable in spring.
If you think your dogs eat grass just because of boredom or anxiety issues try your best to manage your time more with your pet. Go for a walk with your dog. Spend more time with your dog. It needs proper exercise daily.
Training
One of the best methods to prevent your dog from eating grass is training. Next time when you are on the walk with your puppy and it tries to eat grass, be cautious. You can use a commanding method to refrain your dog from eating grass. Get his attention by offering dog feed and that method becomes more reliable if you have his favourite stuff. This type of training will help your dog to avoid eating grass.
When to consult a veterinarian
Every dog owner should try his best to diagnose the reason behind this unusual behaviour. If the reason is determined, try to resolve this issue as soon as possible. But if the problem is becoming more severe day by day and your dog is not responding to your training or behavioural therapy then you should not be late to consult a professional. Go for a thorough checkup of your dog from a vet. Let him decide according to the condition and intensity of the issue.
One thing every dog owner should have minded is that grass is not good for your pet’s tummy. Even if you think your dog is just enjoying the taste and texture, do not let him eat grass.
Frequent Asked Questions
Dogs may eat grass for various reasons, such as instinct, digestive aid, boredom, or even to induce vomiting when feeling unwell.
Yes, sometimes grass consumption is relatively common in dogs and is usually not a cause for concern. However, excessive or frequent grass eating might need a closer look.
While occasional grass consumption is generally harmless, persistent or abnormal eating behaviour might indicate a medical issue, such as gastrointestinal discomfort or nutritional deficiencies. Consulting a veterinarian is advisable if you notice a significant change in your dog’s habits.
Not necessarily. While a balanced diet is essential, grass-eating is not always a sign of nutritional deficiency. Ensuring your dog’s diet is well-suited to their needs is crucial, but other factors could have contributed to their grass consumption as well.
Providing physical and mental stimulation, ensuring a well-balanced diet, and monitoring your dog’s behaviour closely can help reduce excessive grass eating. However, remember that some grass consumption is normal, and attempting to completely prevent it might not be necessary or healthy.
