Ever looked at your dog while they are outside munching on your lawn and wondered, why do dogs eat grass? While it might seem a bit concerning or strange to see your dog eating grass, there’s usually nothing to worry about – but why do they do it?
Here at Green Pantry, we’re passionate about creating 100% natural dry dog food and fresh dog food that tastes as delicious as it is nutritious! In this blog post, we’ll take a look at why dogs eat grass, and what you can do to tempt them away from those tempting blades and focus instead on a balanced, healthy diet.
Let’s get into it…
Why do dogs eat grass – should you be concerned?
Most of the time, your dog eating grass shouldn’t be a cause for concern. In fact, it’s quite a common and natural behaviour for dogs. However, you might’ve heard that dogs eat grass to make themselves sick, or that they do it because they are lacking a certain amount of nutrients, but this isn’t always the case.
A survey of 1,500 dog owners found that nearly 70% said that their dog ate plants every day, or at least once a week, with the behaviour found to be especially common in younger dogs. Remember, dogs are omnivores, so eating both plants and meat comes naturally to them.
Your dog might be eating grass because:
- They like the taste of it – Most dogs will harmlessly munch on grass just because they enjoy the crunch and like the taste of it.
- They are bored – Your dog might simply be looking for some stimulation. If you think boredom is the case, think of ways you can play with them and make quiet times feel a bit more enriching.
- They want to explore their surroundings – Puppies and dogs might eat grass while exploring their surroundings. Dogs often learn about the world around them with their mouth, causing them to nibble on grass without actually swallowing it.
- They want your attention – If you’re running over to your dog every time they eat grass, they might realise that it’s a good way to get your attention.
- They need more fibre – If your dog frantically eats grass every day, it might be a sign they are lacking fibre, and a sign that you need to feed them high-fibre dog food.
Why do dogs eat grass and vomit?
If your dog is vomiting after eating grass, this might be a sign that there is something wrong. Before jumping straight to worried mode, sometimes the long blades can tickle your dog’s throat, and that is what causes them to vomit. In fact, most dogs eat grass and never throw up at all.
However, if they are sick and continue to be sick, we’d recommend contacting your veterinarian, as they could have an underlying stomach problem. If your dog already feels slightly sick or has an empty stomach, the grass can irritate their lining and lead to throwing up yellow bile. Any sign of a sick dog, you should be on the phone with your vet.
>> If your dog frequently experiences stomach discomfort after grazing, read our guide on the best food for sensitive stomachs to help settle their digestion <<
How to stop your dog eating grass
So, grass eating is a normal behaviour for dogs, but that doesn’t mean that you should encourage this habit. You should also never allow your dog to eat grass that has been treated with fertilisers, herbicides, or pesticides. There is also a risk that slugs or snails that have travelled over the grass could infect your dog with lungworm.
To stop your dog from eating grass, follow these top tips:
- Use the ‘leave it’ command – When your dog lowers their head to nibble grass, pull them gently away, or firmly say ‘leave it’. Using a dog treat or a toy to lure them away will positively reinforce them to leave the grass alone.
- Reduce their boredom – Because dogs often chew grass when they are bored, they might require more excitement in their days. Increase their daily exercise, play interactive games, or use puzzle feeders to keep their minds busy and away from grass.
- Feed them a healthy, balanced diet – Feed your dog a Green Pantry diet, with recipes that are made up of high-quality meat, vegetables, and herbs and botanicals, all 100% natural. Whether you’re after low-fat dog food or joint care dog food, all of our recipes have been created to target specific health functions and dietary needs in your dog.
We also sell natural dog supplements, an easy and quick way to sprinkle extra nutrients and energy into your dog’s life.
Shop our range of supplements:
Natural Gut Health Supplements
For natural, delicious recipes, it has to be Green Pantry
Hopefully, this blog has answered your question, ‘Why do dogs eat grass?’ While you might initially freak out at the thought of your dog munching on grass, most of the time, it isn’t a reason for concern. They might just be a bit bored!
Pull your dog away from grass munching with a natural, healthy diet. Here at Green Pantry, we’re passionate about the health and well-being of all dogs. That’s why we’ve created 100% natural recipes that target specific health conditions and dietary requirements – see exactly what’s in the pantry here.
Got a question or need more advice? Get in touch with our friendly team – you can even give us a ring on 01553 811 320 and chat to someone directly on the phone.
