Want to stay informed?
Subscribe!
Why do dogs eat grass?
Dogs have different eating habits than humans. Sometimes, your furry friend may eat things that worry you. An example of this is when your dog eats grass. Are you worried about your four-legged friend's health because of this behaviour? We like to explain why dogs do this and whether you should worry about it.
Why do dogs eat grass?
There are several reasons why a dog eats grass. It may be a natural behaviour, as dogs' ancestors were scavengers. Grass can help cleanse the digestive system. Also, young dogs are often exploring the world, so eating grass can also be playful behaviour. There are other possible reasons why dogs eat grass. For example, it could be that a dog lacks certain nutrients. Grass is high in fibre and omega-3(ALA). In addition, it is said that dogs eat grass when they are nauseous because grass makes them vomit and empty their stomachs.
Is it a problem if dogs eat grass?
Generally, it is not a problem if dogs eat grass. Many dogs seem to eat grass from time to time. This behaviour may just be natural or playful. If your dog seems otherwise healthy and occasionally eats grass, there is no need to worry.What to do if your dog eats grass?
If you have noticed your dog eating grass, you don't need to worry right away, as mentioned earlier. Just pay attention to how often this happens. If your dog regularly eats grass, it is wise to stop this behaviour and check for other health problems. Pay attention to whether your dog vomits often and avoid toxic plants and herbicides. If you want to prevent your dog from eating grass, make sure he has a healthy diet and enough distractions so he doesn't get bored. You can also try correcting your dog by raising your voice. If this does not help, you can consider using a muzzle.Is grass healthy?
In principle, grass is not harmful to your dog's health unless it is sprayed or if your dog eats large amounts of grass. Grass sometimes even contains healthy nutrients, such as omega-3 (ALA) and fibre. If your dog eats grass only occasionally, it can even have a positive effect on digestion.
Here are some interesting facts based on Benjamin L Hart's (Professor Emeritus at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis) research on dogs eating grass:
- Common Behaviour: Most dogs eat grass regularly, often daily or weekly.
- Independent of Diet: Dogs eating kibble or raw meat show no difference in grass eating
- Nausea is Rare: Only 8% of dogs showed signs of nausea or illness before eating grass.
- No Nutrition-Related Behaviour: Eating grass does not appear to be related to a lack of nutrients such as fibre, as dogs that were regularly fed plant-based food were just as likely to eat grass as dogs that were not given it
- Vomiting after Grass Eating: About 22% of dogs vomit after eating grass, but this is not the case in all dogs.
- Age Difference: Young dogs eat grass more often than older dogs and almost never show nausea prior to grass eating.
- No Clear Reason: There is no conclusive evidence that dogs eat grass because of nausea, abdominal pain, or nutrient deficiency.
