Why do Dogs Eat Grass?
Firstly, don’t be alarmed. As you may have already suspected, many dog owners, and occasionally even cat owners, will at some stage notice their pets eating grass. Occasionally owners also report that eating grass coincides with bouts of vomiting. Dogs will often eat things that aren’t strictly considered food, whether it’s grass, dirt or even occasionally other animal’s faeces. This is referred to as pica, ‘the ingestion of products which aren’t considered food’. It rarely indicates a nutritional deficiency in your pet’s regular diet, however it can equally be a reflection of boredom. In the case of grass chewing, there is also some suggestion that animals may like the taste, or that it gives them some form of relief from an upset stomach or intestinal worm burden. This is probably some truth to this in some circumstances. As a vet, we are often asked if pets eat grass to make themselves vomit? While occasionally dogs are seen to vomit after consuming grass it doesn’t always occur. In fact, while up to 79% of pet owners reported seeing their pet eat grass and other plant material, only 25% of those incidents involved the pet vomiting afterwards. While dog are extremely smart, odds are they probably don’t possess the mental capacity to self medicate with grass to make themselves vomit.
So why does my dog eat grass, and should I be worried?
If your dog only occasionally eats grass you probably don’t need to be worried and corrective action isn’t required. If it is a regular occurrence, you might wish to try the following.
To rule out nutritional causes, try to increase the fibre component of your dog’s diet, preferably with a commercially produced super premium diet. Many home-prepared diets are inadequate in certain nutrients and may in fact be a potential cause for the ‘grass eating behaviour’. If you do move your pet to a higher fibre diet they may require more food as these diets typically have a lower energy density. Take care to read the product label.
In the case of boredom or anxious dogs, look for ways to stimulate and environmentally enrich your pet. Play with them more frequently, toss the ball, visit the park etc. If they are left alone for protracted periods, ensure they have toys, etc. to keep them entertained.
Should I stop my dog from eating grass?
In most instances eating grass isn’t going to cause your dog any trouble. You do need to be wary of the fact that if you dog persistently eats grass and vomits, it can lead to dental disease and potentially oesophageal irritation. This is due to the constant reflux of gastric acid.
There is also a risk that either the plants or grass your dog is eating are toxic, or they have been sprayed in something that may be toxic to your pet, such as a herbicide or pesticide.
If you are concerned about your dog eating grass it’s probably a good idea to visit us and have a chat.