Sueda, K. Applied Animal Behavior Science, May 2008. There are varying opinions as to why dogs eat grass. Some dog owners and veterinarians assume that grass eating is a form of pica, or eating strange items, sometimes caused by a diet deficiency. Dogs eat grass to purge their digestive systems, and they may do so for a variety of different reasons, including: To ease nausea or feelings of sickness; much as how people who feel nauseous often feel much better after they have actually vomited To ease the pain and discomfort of bloating or excessive stomach gas A dog will seek out a natural remedy for a gassy or upset stomach, and grass, it seems, may do the trick. A less serious cause is simply that your dog is going after something tasty, like bacon or … Eating grass is perfectly safe for your cat and a lot of them actually really enjoy eating it too! It is possible that dogs learn this is a temporary solution for stomach irritation. Additionally, a number of common house and garden plants are toxic, which could lead to problems if your dog munches on them along with the lawn. There’re numerous reasons that have been put across in a bid to provide an understanding of why dogs would eat grass. To make sure the plants in and around the area where your dog is eating grass aren’t dangerous, check the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center website, which maintains a list of toxic and non-toxic plants. Sometimes dogs eat grass simply out of boredom, much like humans do when they graze on a bag of chips. Should I Stop My Dog from Eating Grass? Whether your dog eats soil from pots or eat dirt directly from your garden, attention needs to be paid. In some cases, they may just like the taste. And grass-eating doesn’t usually lead to throwing up -- less than 25% of dogs that eat grass vomit regularly after grazing. There are other reasons dogs could suddenly start munching on grass. For as little as £1 you can make a difference - do you have one minute? Why Do Dogs Eat Grass? As the PDSA states ”Your dog’s diet has a huge impact on their health and happiness.” Why Do Dogs Eat Dirt? In fact, most veterinarians consider it a normal dog behavior. You might even be worried. There are a number of reasons dogs eat grass. It can be concerning that your dog has an upset stomach and is trying to make themselves sick, or they are feeling generally unwell. Well, different dogs might eat grass for different reasons. However, the behavior should not be ignored or disregarded either as it can still indicate that something is not right. One published study reports on a miniature poodle that ate grass and then vomited every day for seven years. The main causes for a dog eating dirt include: 1. pica syndrome in dogs. There are two main types of canine grass eating. If everyone who benefits from our articles is able to give a little back, we can reach thousands more pets. Dog owners commonly think that grass eating in their pets is a sign of illness, But it’s more than likely to be because it is tasty for them and is, therefore, no cause for concern, Be sure that the grass they’re munching on isn’t sprayed with any harmful chemicals, In some cases, grass-eating might be linked to boredom so make sure your pet has plenty of enrichment through exercise and play, If your dog is repeatedly vomiting up grass and/or not eating its normal food, consult your vet. If you Google the question "Why do dogs eat grass" you will find 2,520,000 websites that purportedly deal with the issue. In fact, fewer than 10% of dogs seem to be sick before eating grass, according to their owners. While only less than 25% of dogs seem to vomit after ingesting grass, there's no proof to say for sure that this is because the grass is making them ill, maybe they were feeling queasy beforehand and vomiting helped them feel better. However the most likely reason your dog is eating grass is because he or she has a poorly stomach. And grass-eating doesn’t usually lead to throwing up -- less than 25% of dogs that eat grass vomit regularly after grazing. On the chance that your dog’s pica behavior is caused by a nutritional deficiency, switching to a better dog food, especially a high-fiber variety, could help alleviate the problem. If they are stuck in the back garden with nothing to do, then they might turn to chewing the cud just for something to do. Eating grass usually causes dogs to vomit, especially if they have gobbled it down (as opposed to just nibbling at it). Pica is the technical term for the disorder characterized by eating things that aren’t food. Why Do Dogs Eat Grass? Sick? Some people propose that dogs might turn to eating grass when they don’t feel well as a way to make themselves vomit, and then feel better. Try tossing a Frisbee or playing another interactive game with them, or buy them a sturdy chew toy to keep them occupied. But my dog vomits after eating grass! Boredom. While it sounds disgusting it’s totally natural and a very … Watch out for a sudden increase in grass-eating. This could also be the reason why dogs would eat grass too. Kang, B. By clicking Subscribe, I agree to the WebMD, Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Coronavirus in Context: Interviews With Experts, Sign Up to Receive Our Free Coroanvirus Newsletter. A company limited by guarantee. Most of the time, dogs eat grass as a natural anti-nausea medicine. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. However, one thing for sure is that this behaviour is not specific to certain dogs and isn’t dangerous to them. Sometimes pica indicates that your dog has some type of nutritional deficiency, though it is often simply a sign of boredom, especially when practiced by puppies and younger dogs. Engage them in some fun activities. Registered address Shilton Road, Burford, Oxfordshire, OX18 4PF. Evidence suggests that most dogs that eat grass aren’t unwell beforehand, or at least they don’t seem so. Conclusion. If you think your dog is eating an excessive amount of grass it is worthwhile you talk to a vet to try to find out why. Eating grass can, as we have seen, be caused by a number of factors but each of those is worth further investigation or action. We're so glad we've been able to help these pets who are unable to help themselves, but there are thousands of sick and lonely pets still in need, so we need to ask for a small favour. I glanced at about two dozen of … Actually, it turns out that this also is a myth and there no evidence of a link between grass eating and ill health. Registered company in England and Wales under company number 00363197. However, if your dog is having tummy issues, they're more likely to eat grass, says the AKC. In many cases, though, dogs eat grass when their stomachs hurt. One reason for eating grass may be due to a feeling of nausea. Some people still believe dogs will eat grass when they feel unwell to purge their stomach. We think that the number one cause of dogs seeking soil to eat and chew is because of a bad diet which is missing key nutrients, minerals and prebiotics. Veterinarians have different opinions about why exactly they do this, but there may be chemicals in grass that ease an upset stomach. Warning: Grass seeds found in long grass can get stuck in eyes, ears, skin and paws, which can cause problems, particularly during the summer months. If you suspect your dog is eating grass because they are bored, it might be beneficial to be sure they are getting enough exercise. Three days after putting the dog on a high-fiber diet, the owner reported that the dog stopped eating grass entirely. Ingesting dirt is a fairly common behavior among dogs. Dogs need roughage in their diets and grass provides a good source of fibre. You should, however, seek veterinary advice if:•    your dog is eating grass but not their normal food•    the grass eating becomes excessive•    your dog is repeatedly eating grass and vomiting up over a period of a few hours•    your dog is eating grass and doesn’t seem themselves or appears unwell. The habit of eating something other than food is called pica. Pica syndrome is one of several eating disorders that a dog can suffer from. If your dog is stuck in the yard for many hours each day and doesn’t have much else to do or chew on, he may turn to munching on grass. Many people believe dogs get sick from eating grass, as it is commonly eaten by horses and cows, but it is actually safe for dogs, too. Why do dogs eat grass when they are unwell? If this is the case, look into how to provide better enrichment for them through walks as well as indoor and outdoor play, including food puzzles. Many dog owners worry that their pet eats grass to make themselves sick to get rid of something they’ve eaten, or because they’re feeling under the weather. The simple fact is that no one is really sure, though there are a lot of theories. One of the theories is that grass contains extra nutrients that your cat needs in … However, some dogs may eat non-food items because they are bored while others just like the taste. A species thousands of years old, dogs are scavengers who will eat anything and everything. Although most experts agree that grazing itself isn’t harmful, one thing to keep in mind is that certain herbicides and pesticides used on lawns can be quite toxic, especially if ingested. This includes: 1. 2. Your beloved canine companion clearly isn’t a cow, so you might be confused when you see them eating grass. When we think about the things that our dogs love in general, it may start to make a bit more sense why they might be interested in eating dirt. be careful that your dog does not digest grass that has been treated with pesticides, herbicides or chemicals. We provide free pet advice as every pet deserves to be well looked after. It’s likely there’s not one simple answer. It's possible that they simply like the taste. All rights reserved. Blue Cross is a registered charity in England and Wales (224392) and in Scotland (SC040154). In a study of giant pandas (whose peculiar plant appetite has landed them on the endangered species list) scientists examined why they would choose to eat only bamboo. There’s some debate about the reasons dogs are eating grass in yards and on walks all over the world. Wild carnivores, including wolves, often eat grass when they eat their prey, so dogs may eat grass to make up for deficiencies in their diet. The first is simple grazing where your dog happily munches on grass and suffers no ill effects. Though they love eating meat, they're not … One small-scale study of 49 dog owners whose dogs had regular access to grass and other plants found that 79% of the dogs had eaten plants at some time. One of the most commonly suspected theories for why dogs eat mud or dirt is because of a nutrient deficiency. We treated around 35,000 sick injured and homeless pets last year. All of our work is funded entirely through donations. Others dispute this idea, on the basis that dogs are not proven to be smart enough to decide to treat an upset stomach by eating grass. Bored? … Why It Happens. In fact, it’s far more likely that dogs eat grass because it tastes nice, particularly in the spring and summer months when it’s green and fresh. Another explanation for why do dogs eat grass could be down to the way they’ve evolved. As it turns out, there are a number of reasons dogs eat mud and fortunately they are not all serious. If this is the case take them for regular walks or play with them more often to see if the grass eating stops. Thank you. Thank you. Why does my dog eat grass? Dogs are omnivorous, meaning they eat both plants and animals, so just eating grass alone normally won't be enough to make it sick. Tasty Dirt. It's possible that in a dog's zeal to wolf down the grass, some dirt might get added to … Bear in mind that standard flea and worm treatments sold in pet shops do not normally protect against lungworm. Your dog might also be eating grass because they are bored. Why does my dog roll in other animals’ poo? Maybe the most likely reason that dogs eat grass is because it is a rewarding and fun behavior. Those studies looking at the frequency of with which dogs vomited after eating grass, also inquired after the dog’s state of health. Different dogs may eat grass for different reasons. For as little as £1 you can make a difference - do you have one minute? Here’s the truth: we’re not 100 percent sure. Some vets suggest dogs eat grass to make up for a nutritional deficiency but even dogs that eat well balanced diets will eat grass. But studies have shown that none of these longstanding beliefs can be proven. While pica can be a cause for concern in … All categories Accessories Alpha Spirit Cat Dog Duck Enzymes Food health products leads Pancreatic Enzyme Powder Prosciutto Uncategorized This theory relates to the fact that wild canids eat all of an animal when they catch it. Dog owners commonly think that grass eating in their pets is a sign of illness But it’s more than likely to be because it is tasty for them and is, therefore, no cause for concern Be sure that the grass they’re munching on isn’t sprayed with any harmful chemicals Experts are not completely sure why dogs look to eat grass but a number of theories have been put forward. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science, July 2007. Are they hungry? And, of course, there is also the possibility that your dog simply likes the way grass tastes or feels. There shouldn’t be any need to worry about this if the habit doesn’t become excessive, the grass they’re munching on has not been sprayed with harmful pesticides and you have talked to your vet to get treatment to ensure your dog is protected from lungworm, which is passed on by slugs and snails. Dogs might also turn to eating dirt in an attempt to soothe an upset stomach or rumbling bowels. People like you are essential to our work. Observe your pooch's behavior to gain understanding into what may be prompting this strange snack. If you notice that your dog has been eating grass, give your vet a call to discuss whether you should bring your dog in. The grass helps them vomit, which makes them feel better. Alternatively, it could be that dogs are just trying grass looking for somethi… But why do they do it? The best way to stay up to date with whats going on at Blue Cross is to join our mailing list. This is because some dogs quickly vomit immediately after eating grass. It was once thought that dogs hate the taste of grass and will vomit it up. Pica syndrome manifests as the desire to ingest non-edible substances, such as dirt. But if a dog … Other suggested reasons why your dog might be … Will eating grass hurt them? Read our advice on this. Dogs eating grass is actually quite common (it has been observed in wild dogs, too, and may be completely natural) and this form of pica does not usually cause too many problems. American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: “Pica (Eating Things That Aren’t Food).”, American Animal Hospital Association: “Is it OK for my dog to eat grass?” and "Dogs and Grass Eating.". First, rest assured that you’re not alone in your concern, especially if your dog is eating grass and vomiting. © 2005 - 2019 WebMD LLC. This unfortunately is common enough. Please enable JavaScript in your web browser to get the best experience. Other suggested reasons why your dog might be eating grass include improving digestion, treating intestinal worms, or fulfilling some unmet nutritional need, including the need for fiber. It's not fully understood from a scientific point of view, but there are many theories as to why they like eating it. When To Take Your Dog to the Vet. If So, How. There are a variety of reasons your dog might be grazing on your lawn. Dogs might eat grass because they are bored or are seeking attention. But understanding why your dog does can help you address the behavior. In fact, one survey found that grass is the most commonly eaten plant by dogs. One common view is that a dog grazes on the lawn for the same reason some people munch on potato chips — he’s bored. Others think that eating grass is a sign that their dog is lacking in some nutrients. To Cleanse. Most pet owners assume that dogs eat grass to induce vomit when they have an upset stomach. 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