![]() ![]() ![]() Your dog may also enjoy the moisture it takes in with grass that is coated in dew. “This might happen at specific times of the year, have no ill effects on your dog, and not last for a long period of time.” “Some dogs enjoy tasting or eating grass, especially young, spring grasses,” Brunetti says. and chief veterinary officer at IndeVets, a veterinary staffing service that partners with animal hospitals. There are dogs that simply enjoy the taste and/or texture of fresh grass, says Dr. They Enjoy the Taste and/or Texture of Grass If they notice they receive more attention from their owner every time they eat grass, it can quickly become a behavior they develop to seek even more attention, Akers says. “Some dogs will chew, eat, and consume grass simply out of boredom or because they can.”ĭogs are also smart. “Just because your dog is chewing grass does not automatically indicate that it has gastrointestinal upset, has a lack of fiber or is nutritionally deficient,” Golla says. They will chew and eat grass (or anything else) out of boredom or because they realize that it brings them their owner’s attention. They’re Bored or Seeking Attentionĭogs are going to be dogs. Some dogs that experience anxiety may turn to eating grass as a coping mechanism or a self-soothing activity, Akers says.Ī 2020 medical study conducted in Finland found that almost three-fourths of the nearly 14,000 dogs evaluated suffered from some kind of problematic behavior, and the most common anxiety trait found was noise sensitivity.Īccording to the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, the most common signs of anxiety in dogs include:Īnxiety can be treated through behavioral modification and anti-anxiety medications like trazodone. If you suspect a nutritional deficiency, it’s best to take your dog to the vet and have them tested to see where their diet may be lacking. “Dogs that are missing something for their diet will try and fill the void by consuming grass,” Golla says. If a dog isn’t fed a proper, well-balanced and appropriate diet, it may eat grass as a counterbalance to poor nutrition. Golla adds that too much grass, however, can cause constipation. Grass, which is a plentiful source of fiber, may be ingested to help regulate their bodily functions. A minimum of about 5.5% of the diet should come from fats and 10% from protein.Īccording to VCA Animal Hospitals, dogs need fiber in their diet to help them digest food properly and regularly pass stool. Scientific research has shown that an adult dog’s daily diet can contain up to 50% carbohydrates by weight, including 2.5% to 4.5% from fiber. To Eat More Fiberĭogs will also instinctively consume grass, which is a source of fiber, if their current diet is low on fiber, Golla says. Researchers also concluded that since plant-eating has also been observed in wolves and other wild canids, “it seems likely that it serves some biological purpose.” 2. “In some dogs, it’s instinct to eat grass to induce vomiting,” Akers says.Ī 2008 study published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science found that “plant eating is a normal behavior of domestic dogs.” Candy Akers, D.V.M., a holistic veterinarian and owner of Journeys Holistic Life, an online holistic pet care store. They Have an Upset Stomachĭogs will turn to grass when they have an upset or inflamed stomach, says Dr. He adds that dogs will instinctively eat grass if they’re lacking certain nutrients in their diet. “It may mean the dog has an upset tract or it may mean nothing at all,” he says. and veterinarian at Innovetive Petcare, a business support service for veterinary practices. Usually, dogs eating grass is a natural reaction or behavior and is harmless, says Dr. ![]()
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