As in: WHY DO DOGS EAT GRASS?

There is a wide range of speculation on the motivations behind dogs’ grass eating, including boredom, hunger, and even disease. We don’t know the answer for sure.

A research found that 79% of dog owners reported that their dog has eaten grass or other plants, so you’re not alone in wondering this. This is a very typical behaviour for dogs.

Pica is a common problem in young and growing dogs, and it involves an intense craving for things that aren’t food.

When they’re young, it’s usually just the two of them wreaking havoc by stealing stuff and eating everything in sight. Yet, it may indicate that something else is occurring.

BOREDOM

For your dog, you are the centre of the universe. You decide when they eat, when they take walks, and when they are left alone.

When you’re not paying attention to them or playing with them, they may become bored and worried. It’s possible that snoozing on the grass is just a tactic to kill time.

But if you’re with your dog, maybe they’re just looking for some one-on-one time. They want to catch your attention by eating grass, but they know they will be warned to stop.

Your accidental reinforcement of this behaviour could come from even negative attention, which is interpreted as attention to them. The wits of these canines exceed our wildest expectations.

POORLY STOMACH

You’ve probably heard this theory before because it’s so widespread. Due to the common association between eating grass and subsequent vomiting in dogs, this behaviour has been interpreted as an attempt to calm an unsettled stomach. This is not a conclusive theory, but it is still a viable option.

It can be hard to discern if your dog ate grass because it smelled good and now feels sick, or if it is sick and eats grass because it knows it would make it sicker and make it puke up.

It appears to be cyclical in nature, but its genesis remains a mystery.

Only nine percent of dogs who routinely eat grass were frequently reported to appear ill prior to eating it, and only twenty-two percent of dogs who regularly ate grass were frequently reported to vomit afterward. This provides further evidence that eating grass probably doesn’t help settle an upset stomach.

INSTINCT

Dogs were once wild creatures before being domesticated. To satisfy their nutritional demands, they would consume whatever was at hand, such as a hunted animal whose digestive system included grass and plants.

Consequently, your puppy’s natural instincts may still lead him to prefer grass.

Our pets no longer have to go on nightly hunts for their dinner because we provide it to them in gleaming bowls. However, they will still have the innate drive to forage for food, which could result in their eating your carefully cultivated garden outdoors.

DIETARY REACTION

Grass is a great way to get your daily dose of fibre. If you see your dog munching on grass after a meal, it may be because he or she knows they might use some extra fibre to help digest the food they just ate.

An 11-year-old Poodle was tracked for 7 years in a case study published in 2007 because she frequently threw up after eating grass. It was claimed that his illness stopped once he switched to a diet higher in fibre, highlighting the significance of fibre in a dog’s diet.

MEDICAL ISSUES

Your dog may be attempting to treat an illness or injury for which you are not aware by eating strange things or acting in unusual ways. Pancreatitis, GERD, and irritable bowel syndrome are just a few examples. You should take your dog to the vet if you notice any of these symptoms in addition to vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, and an inability to eat.

IT JUST TASTES NICE!

It’s hard to mess up this one. Grass probably merely looks and smells good to your dog.

When the new grass appears in the spring, for example, some dogs will only eat grass from a given area. The fact that they are so picky about the kind of grass they will eat lends credence to the theory that they find great pleasure in doing so. You might call them a grass critic.

However, the vast majority of them will munch on random grass if given the chance.

IS GRASS CONSUMPTION DANGEROUS?

As a general rule, you shouldn’t be too concerned. No harm can come from the grass itself. Nonetheless, there are a few caveats.

Herbicides and pesticides may have been used on your lawn; avoid ingesting any of this grass if possible. Keep in mind that many common garden plants are toxic to dogs, so use caution while planting.

If your dog likes to tuck into the grass, you should have them examined for parasites to make sure they aren’t ingesting anything harmful. Not only do they enjoy munching on grass, but they also enjoy a good roll in the stuff.

HOW DO I STOP MY DOG FROM EATING GRASS?

TRAINING

It is feasible to train a dog not to eat grass if the dog is motivated by positive reinforcement, such as treats or praise. Distract them whenever they go to eat grass by going in a different direction, correcting them verbally, or making them perform a command they already know, such “heel” or “sit.”

Give them a reward or some praise if they comply. Although it will take time and perseverance, this habit can be broken by keeping a close eye on them when on walks and always accompanying them when they need to use the restroom outside.

PLAY/EXERCISE

Your dog may be bored and chewing grass as a distraction from their lack of exercise and playtime, so try increasing their activity level and stimulating their mind with more playtime and walks.

Some fantastic ways to stimulate their brains are to teach them a new trick, hide a toy and have them sniff it out, or hide treats within a puzzle toy.

DIET

As previously mentioned, a shortage of nutrients like fibre can lead to grass-eating. Your dog will benefit from a change in diet to one that provides all the essential nutrients and components your dog needs.

Natural ingredients like cabbage, carrots, and other vegetables are abundant in Pure, making it a genuine and healthy dog food option.

Why our dogs eat grass is another riddle of the canine world for which we have no explanation.

There’s a wide range of possible motivations for this behaviour, and in many cases, it won’t even cause problems. Nonetheless, it is essential that you take measures to prevent your dog from doing so, as this behaviour might occasionally result in nausea and vomiting.

Training, additional mental and physical stimulation, and perhaps a change in diet, may help you break this peculiar behaviour. Talk to your vet if you’re worried that your dog’s grass eating is indicative of a more serious problem.