As in, “WHY DO DOGS ROLL IN GRASS?”

I’m willing to bet that at some point throughout your walk, your dog stopped, dropped, and rolled. It’s likely that most dogs have rolled around on the grass at some point, and many young dogs appear to do it frequently.

Despite the amusement value, you may have wondered “why do dogs roll in grass?” before attempting to determine if this is typical behaviour or if your dog is simply being mischievous.

Our four-legged companions are just like us, including us humans, in that they enjoy a good roll in the grass. There are, however, a variety of causes for why dogs do this. We’ll go through everything that could be going wrong and what you should look out for if your dog is acting strangely on the grass with Fido.

WHY DO DOGS ROLL IN GRASS?

IT’S IN THEIR DNA

Like many other enjoyable activities exhibited by our furry friends, this one has its roots in our pets’ genetic make-up. Wolves and dogs in the wild may sometimes roll around in the grass to cover themselves in whatever they’ve been rolling in, which could be anything from faeces to dead animals.

No one knows for sure why wolves do it, but it’s thought that they do it to hide their own scent and bring back novel scents for the rest of their pack to investigate. That makes sense for wolves, but I never understood why my dog did that.

IT’S USEFUL FOR HIDING THEIR SCENT

Similarly to how wolves may cover their scent by rolling in rotting carcasses, the common belief is that dogs will roll in grass or other noxious substances like fox poop. As predators, they benefit from being able to mask their scent in order to increase their chances of catching prey. Your dog may sneak up on its prey without the fear of being detected if it smells like grass instead of like a dog.

Still, unless it’s to pounce on an unsuspecting sofa, your hound probably doesn’t go out on many actual hunts. However, this is a perfectly normal behaviour for these creatures.

THEY’RE MARKING THEIR TERRITORY

To indicate their territory is yet another hypothesis put out to explain why dogs roll in the grass. It’s possible that your dog is scooting about on their back to rub their own fragrance onto the grass, making it obvious to other dogs that this is their territory by leaving a trace of their own scent.

IT’S PUPPY PERFUME

Dogs use their noses like compass and their sense of smell is akin to a superpower. It’s many times more sensitive than human noses, allowing them to detect odours we wouldn’t. Dogs, on the other hand, can detect not just the scent of freshly cut grass, but also any other scents that may have been left behind, such as those left by other dogs, cats, or even other types of dirt.

Dogs may roll in the grass to mask their scent, but they may also do so because they enjoy the earthy scents. The antics of your dog could be the canine equivalent of donning a cologne!

IT FEELS POSITIVELY GREAT

Anyone who has walked barefoot on grass can attest to the fact that it is both cushiony and sharp. If your dog rubs up against it, its slightly prickly and abrasive texture may feel good and help scratch away any annoying itchiness. Everybody loves to get their backs scratched, and a good roll in the grass might feel like a cross between a massage and a scritch.

Having grass run through your dog’s fur may also assist to dislodge any dirt or dead hair that has become embedded in their coat. They may be more at ease after some bouncing and rolling on the lawn.

A dog that suddenly starts rolling around more than usual may be experiencing itchy skin, as this behaviour indicates. A sign of a parasitic or itchy sickness in your dog is agitation when rolling around, excessive scratching, or biting at the fur. If you notice any cuts, scrapes, or dry patches on your dog, it’s time to call the doctor. In order to keep ticks and fleas at bay, it is important to maintain any prophylactic medications you may be doing.

IT’S A PERFECT PASS TIME

Simply said, dogs roll in the grass because they enjoy it. When they’re on their backs and wriggling around, it looks like a lot of fun, and they seem thrilled about it. Dogs love the feel of grass on their backs, and it also has the added benefit of stimulating their sense of touch and smell.

Your dog is probably rolling around in the grass for the same reason you did as a kid: because it’s enjoyable. It’s pleasant to the senses and delightful to partake in!

IT CAN BE COMPULSIVE

While for most dogs, rolling around in the grass is a harmless pastime, for some, it has deeper meaning. Some dogs suffer from compulsive disorders, which are essentially the canine version of obsessive-compulsive disorder. It may be a sign of obsessive behaviour if your dog keeps interrupting your walks by rolling about on the grass. If your dog’s behaviour has abruptly altered or if it is interfering with their everyday lives, you should seek the counsel of your veterinarian.

WHY DO DOGS ROLL IN THE GRASS AFTER A BATH?

After a good wash, most dogs are eager to go roll around on the carpet or grass. There are several good reasons for this. To begin, simply rolling around is a great way to release tension. Many dogs dislike taking a bath, but the massaging effect of rolling about afterward helps to calm their nerves and relax their muscles.

Dogs often roll in the grass after getting a wash so that they can get a new scent. Most experts in the field of canine care agree that certain dogs may not appreciate the pungent scents of the shampoos we use on them. While the scent of blueberries may be enticing to you, your dog is likely not too fond of it.

For a dog, the smell of dirt, grass, or anything else is far more enticing. After a shower, they’ll go outside and roll around in the grass to reacquaint themselves with a scent they prefer. It’s usually better to switch to a fragrance-free shampoo if your dog seems to be strongly averse to the scent you’ve been using.

IS ROLLING IN GRASS BAD FOR DOGS?

There is no reason to be concerned if your dog engages in the completely normal behaviour of rolling around in the grass. However, there may be dangers in the grass that prevent your dog from playing safely.

Some lawns may receive fertiliser, insecticides, or herbicides to keep them looking healthy and vibrant. However, if your dog comes into contact with them or licks it off of their fur, they could be harmed by the toxins contained within.

Grass is an excellent habitat for ticks, especially if wildlife like sheep or deer frequent the area. While playing, your dog may take up one of these parasites, and soon a bloodsucking tick is drinking them like tea.

To protect your dog from these parasites and their eggs, it’s crucial to apply flea and tick treatments that work to both repel and kill the insects. Because ticks can also spread disease, it’s important to regularly treat your dog to stop them from becoming a bug smorgasbord.

Lastly, you may assume your dog is rolling around in the grass, but later discover he or she was actually covering itself in something incredibly odiferous, such as fox or cat faeces, or even a dead animal. The canine companion of man appears to be obsessed with snuffling about in stinky stuff. This is typical of our furry pals, but it doesn’t make dealing with it any easier.

Your dog’s rolled in some pretty yucky stuff, what with the poop and the dead animal. Use pet-safe wipes to clean your dog after they’ve rolled in something they shouldn’t have, even if it was simply grass. And if they have most certainly rolled in something noxious, then it’s time for a visit to the B-A-T-H.

DOGS ROLL IN GRASS BECAUSE THEY’RE DOGS

If that’s the case, then why do dogs enjoy rolling around in the grass? For the simple reason that they are dogs. Our four-legged companions prefer nothing more than to roll around on the grass, which is simply another expression of their unique personalities.

Until we can either train a dog to communicate or read their brains, we will never know the true reason why dogs enjoy rolling in the grass. However, until that time comes, we must recognise that it is a natural and typical behaviour for dogs.