Mary Allen
Help! My dog eats grass! Don’t worry, he doesn’t suddenly think he’s a cow. There are reasons for eating grass. This is what you should know and do.
It was supposed to be a normal walk, but suddenly it came to a halt because the dog was eating grass.
When walking their dog, many dog owners experience that it makes itself comfortable in a meadow and shows a rather unusual behavior: It happily nibbles on blades of grass.
However, sometimes it is also obvious that the dog is eating grass because it is not feeling well. Many dogs eventually vomit after eating grass.
But why do dogs eat grass? Is the dog not well? Isn’t his food enough? Is he just bored? What are the causes of the behavior?
In the following guide, we list the four most common causes of grass-eating in dogs. We give tips on when to worry about the dog and when you don’t have to worry when dogs eat grass.
It is important to observe your own four-legged friend closely in order to finally identify the real cause and – if necessary – to be able to act.
Reason 1: Stomach problems
Stomach problems are most often suspected in dog owners when the four-legged friend suddenly eats grass. Possibly “is the lining hanging across somewhere”. But it can also be due to poor health.
In fact, eating grass is considered a way of getting rid of something harmful or unwanted from the body. Dogs often throw up by eating the stalks. Substances that are indigestible or toxic to them are expelled in this way.
Especially when the faithful four-legged friend pounces on the green like a predator and very often has the desire for it, stomach pain can be the cause. The dog then eats grass to clear the stomach.
Even after ingesting foreign bodies, dogs often eat grass, because the stalks usually wrap them up and thus facilitate excretion. So, eating grass may be the dog’s attempt to restore health.
Reason 2: stress
Even if one should assume it – a dog’s life is not always easy. A move, busy people, a baby or child in the house, conflicts with other dogs, or a change in diet – dogs can also feel physically and mentally stressed. Many then change their behavior to cope with the new situation.
Some dogs then refuse the dog food, others vomit, and some dogs do not eat at all. If the little dog’s soul is very stressed, it can also often be observed that the dog suddenly eats grass.
Blades of grass contain sugar-like components, among other things, and can cause an increase in blood sugar levels. Especially when dogs feel stressed or agitated, the sweet grass can help the four-legged friend to relax.
The dog then starts chewing on blades of grass, for example, to distract himself. In addition to the sugar-like components, the chewing itself also has a calming effect, since the happy hormones can be released through jaw movements. That’s why dogs, for example, love extensive gnawing on bones.
If you identify stress as the cause of your dog eating grass, you should find a way to relax him in a different way. Good tips include extensive cuddling hours and a dog massage. Both can often help your dog in this situation.
Reason 3: Thirst
Grass contains water and can provide a source of fluid for dogs to quench their thirst. Many dogs, therefore, supplement their diet by eating grass, especially in midsummer.
In particular, dogs that hardly take their nose off the ground and love to sniff, such as the Beagle or English Foxhound, need more water than others because the wildly sniffing dog nose quickly dries out the mucous membranes.
Eating grass to quench your dog’s thirst should always be a last resort. If you are planning longer tours or tours at higher temperatures, you should always have water for the dog with you in addition to something to drink for yourself. With a foldable bowl, you can also offer it on the go.
Reason 4: Boredom
For some dogs, poor health, a problem with the dog’s food, or thirst is not the cause of grass eating.
Boredom can also cause your dog to chew on blades of grass. By nibbling on the green stalks, he whiles away the time when nothing else exciting is happening.
In principle, this is not harmful. But it’s not nice for the dog either. In this case, make sure that there is sufficient exercise and challenge the dog according to its breed. For example, the Labrador is happy when he is allowed to fetch something, the Jack Russell Terrier is happy about search games and the Border Collie is happy about activity in agility.
Reason 5: Malnutrition?
For a long time, it was assumed that dogs want to compensate for missing nutrients by eating grass in their food. Studies now indicate that this is more of a misconception.
However, it is true that grass contains a lot of dietary fiber. These stimulate digestion in dogs. If these dietary fibers are missing in dog food, the dog may get them from the blades of grass.
Is it dangerous if the dog eats grass?
Basically, it is neither harmful nor dangerous if the dog eats grass. However, it is crucial that the dog nibbles on the stalks. For example, if the grass has been treated with toxic pesticides, the dog absorbs the toxins when it eats.
Knowing that the stalks have been treated should discourage your dog from eating grass at that point. If he has already invested a lot of it and then has to vomit several times, we recommend going to the vet. The specialist can check the dog’s food and, if necessary, make a recommendation. He can also give tips on why the dog consumes grass.