Why is my dog eating grass? 5 possible reasons, plus what owners should do
Pet owners have a lot of responsibilities – you’ve got to bathe, walk and feed them and, of course, shower them with plenty of love.
When it comes to food, a nutritional, balanced diet is best but sometimes your dog has an idea of their own. They may forego their kibble dinner for fallen scraps, their own poop or even grass. Not all human foods and outdoor plants are safe for dogs to eat, so it’s important to keep an eye on their snacking tendencies.
Should you be concerned if you catch your furry friend munching on grass?
Why do dogs eat grass?
Eating grass may seem strange to us, but it’s fairly common for dogs. One study from the University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine found that 68% of dogs eat grass or plants on a daily to weekly basis.
Here are some reasons they might pick up the habit:
Learned behavior
It could be something they learned from another dog or over time. Puppies of mothers who ate grass are more likely to mimic the behavior, says Dr. Katherine Houpt, a professor emeritus at the Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine.
Soothing
Dogs get acid reflux just like we do, and they may try to soothe it by eating grass, veterinarian Diana Watkins previously told USA TODAY. This is why you may see grass or sticks in their vomit.
Pica
Dogs who eat grass might have a condition called pica, which causes the compulsive eating of non-food items, like grass or rocks, according to Great Pet Care.
Connections to the wild
They may also be following their ancestral instincts. Wild dogs get much of their fiber from grass or sticks from the stomachs of the prey they eat.
“Their official diets are not getting that, so there may be some natural tendency to eat grass," Houpt says.
Curiosity
In some cases, dogs might put grass in their mouth to investigate interesting smells. Dogs have an organ between the nose and mouth called the vomeronasal organ, which is their “sixth sense,” according to Houpt.
“If it really wants to figure out who passed through here or who urinated here, having the grass in their mouth will allow them to perceive that much better,” she said.
Should I let my dog eat grass?
Occasional grazing is not a problem, but you should be mindful of any herbicides or pesticides sprayed on grass that are toxic to dogs. Parasites like hookworms or roundworms are another concern – they can come from fecal residue from other dogs and are harmful for your dog to ingest.
If your dog is eating grass and vomiting constantly, they most likely have gastrointestinal problems – it’s time to see the vet, Houpt says.
You can train your dog to stop eating grass by bringing treats on walks and accompanying them when they go out to relieve themselves, according to VCA Animal Hospitals. Gently distract them or give a verbal cue if they reach down to take a bite.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why do dogs eat grass? Odd pet behaviors explained.
