Is It Ok For Dogs To Eat Grass? Why Does My Dog Eat Grass? Can Dogs Eat Grass?
Your dog is out in the backyard for his morning potty break. You look down and she is munching on a mouthful of grass. It is understandable to be concerned. Perhaps you are worried that the grass consumption may hurt her.
Why do dogs eat grass? If your dog has a well-balanced diet and they are still scarfing down mouthfuls of grass, it could be due to their natural instinct, digestive need, out of boredom or they like the way grass tastes. Eating grass is normal dog behavior and is not always cause for alarm.
Below we discuss seven reasons why your dog may be eating grass and steps you can take to distract them from regularly eating those green turf.
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Why Does My Dog Eat Grass?
Lily, our 10-pound Chihuahua loves to head out every morning to do her business in our front yard. Most recently, I noticed she would nibble on the grass right after doing her business. I’d have to pick her up as soon as she starts nibbling.
Should I be concerned? Perhaps she’s attracted to the color green? She may be fascinated by their slow movement in the wind. I had to find out to see if this is normal behavior. Here is my finding from my research.
1. Diet Deficiency
A handful of veterinarians believe that a diet deficiency may cause dogs to eat grass. The dog’s daily intake could be missing necessary minerals, nutrients, or vitamins. Take a closer look. If your dog isn’t getting her daily intake of fiber, she may resort to chewing on the grass to receive that fiber intake.
If your dog is eating grass due to nutritional deficiency, try switching to dog food with a high-fiber variety.
But if you are providing your dog with a healthy well-balanced diet and she is still crunching on grass, then it could be something else.
2. Natural Instinct
It could just be her natural instinct. Dogs like humans are omnivores so they will crave the act of eating grass as much as eating meat.
Keep in mind that for tens of thousands of years, canines would hunt and eat their own prey to fulfill their basic dietary requirements.
Now dogs have evolved to become more domesticated, but that hunting instinct is still there.
3. Texture and Taste of Grass
Sometimes dogs just enjoy some things that our human palate would find disgusting – grass being one of them. They may like the texture and taste of new grass in their mouth.
4. Bored
Dogs can get bored when they are alone in the backyard. To pass the time, they may nibble at the grass to fill the hours.
DID YOU KNOW: Some dogs exhibit other interesting behaviors related to their food, such as playing with it. Learn more about why dogs play with their food in this detailed article: Why Do Dogs Play With Their Food? 15 Reasons Why!
5. Comfort Mechanism
Much like how people chew their fingernails when they are nervous, anxious dogs could resort to eating grass as a comfort mechanism.
Additionally, studies found that grass eating increases when contact time with the owner decreases. If this is the case, try to spend more time with your dog and see if the grass-eating decreases.
6. Digestive Need
Grazing may help satisfy your dog’s digestive needs. According to VCA Hospital, dogs need roughage in their diet and grass is a great source of fiber.
Roughage is the edible but indigestible portion of plant food. They are fibrous which aid in the passage of food and waste products through the guts.
As a result, dogs may eat grass for this reason. Consuming grass might help them digest food better and pass stool more easily.
7. Natural Remedy
Sometimes if dogs have a gassy or upset stomach, they will seek out a natural remedy according to Petmd. The grass is one of the natural remedies dogs will seek out.
ATTENTION: If your dog is experiencing stomach discomfort, it could be due to a medical problem. Consult with your vet to find out if your dog has pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, or gastric reflux.
Why Do Dogs Eat Grass and Vomit?
One explanation is that when the grass is ingested, the grass blade tickles the dog’s throat and stomach lining. This sensation may cause him or her to throw up. If the grass ingested is gulped down or not completely chewed up, it can cause your dog to throw up.
If you notice your dog experiencing lethargy, diarrhea, or weight loss concurrent with grass-induced vomiting, we recommend bringing him or her to the vet.
When you bring your dog to visit your veterinarian, they can perform a physical exam, fecal exam, and blood tests.
These tests determine if your furry family member has any underlying gastrointestinal diseases.
The blood test is important because you can find a lot of information from the blood count. The blood count tells you if there’s inflammation or blood loss. If there’s blood loss, it could indicate that there’s bleeding into the gastrointestinal tract.
Your veterinarian can prescribe the proper treatment. If your dog is eating or nibbling on grass and he or she is fine, then rest assured that he or she is doing what dogs naturally do.
Is It Bad for Dogs to Eat Grass?
Many experts agree that it is typically not harmful for dogs to eat grass. It poses no real risk. But do keep an eye on your dog and watch their behavior. If you noticed your dog’s sudden increase in grass-eating, then it could be a sign of an underlying illness.
Eating grass could also be a sign that your dog is trying to relieve an upset stomach. Some dogs will vomit right after eating it. With that said, the percentage of dogs that vomit after eating grass is less than 25%. Most types of grass will not make dogs throw up. Instead, they contain essential nutrients that dogs crave.
This means consuming grass is not bad for dogs. But be aware that grass in public areas such as parks or dog parks can have animal droppings or stools. Due to this, eating grass there could cause intestinal parasites.
Here is what you can also do to help your dog if they are munching away on the grass:
- Introduce cooked vegetables or natural herbs to your dog’s diet.
- Buy a small tray of grass for your dog so they don’t ingest pesticides, herbicides, or chemicals that are used to treat your backyard.
- Create a herbal home garden so you have peace of mind that the grass or herbs you’re giving them are safe and natural.
Sometimes when puppies are teething, they will nibble or eat the grass. If your puppy ingests a lot of grass or leaves, it could lead to a blockage. Call your vet immediately if this happens.
Should I Stop My Dog From Eating Grass?
If you notice that your dog or puppy is eating grass because she is bored, make sure she is getting enough exercise and is mentally stimulated. Try engaging her in fun activities, whether indoor or outdoor. If your dogs are eating the grass because they love to chew or are aggressive chewers, you’ll want to get them indestructible dog toys to curb their grass-eating habit.
If you’re both outdoor at the park or in your backyard, you can play fetch with her or you could toss a frisbee and have your dogs fetch it. If your dog has a habit of chewing, it is a good idea to buy him a sturdy chew toy to keep him occupied.
Playing fetch with your dog never gets old, whether it is for exercising, training, or play. The Hyper Pet Safe Tennis Balls For Dogs is great for all dogs at all stages of life. The bright colors make them easy to find whether you’re in the park or in your backyard. Made of non-toxic material with non-abrasive felt coated, these tennis balls are safe for your dogs and their teeth. These balls are intended to help you have fun with your furry friend and not intended as a chew toy. Please always supervise your dogs while playing.
We recommend the Hyper Pet K9 Kannon K2 Ball Launcher if you’re tired or sore from throwing the balls. The Hyper Pet K9 Kannon K2 Ball Launcher works miracles for an uninterrupted game of fetch.
Hyper Pet Safe Tennis Balls For Dogs Key Features:
- Comes in two sizes: mini and regular
- Tennis balls come in 3 bright colors: orange, pink and green
- Non-abrasive felt coated balls that’s safe for your dog’s teeth and non-toxic
- Works with Hyper Pet K9 Kannon K2 Mini Ball Launcher for an uninterrupted game of fetch. You’ll also avoid sore arms from physically throwing continuously
What customers are saying:
Pros
✅ Many dog owners love the bright colors of these balls because it makes them easier to find during their play and commented that these balls were great for their small, medium, and large dogs of all breed types.
✅ Some owners said it is better than they had expected and they’re durable and sturdy yet softer than a tennis ball.
✅ They also noted that the balls are squeezable and if it gets wet, it dries quickly, which is great because they can resume play without waiting too long for the balls to dry.
✅ They noticed their dogs love waiting at the bottom of the stairs in anticipation of fetching the ball that’s bouncing down the stairs.
Cons
❌ A few customers noted to be mindful of the size you’re purchasing because this product does come in two different sizes, however, their dogs loved the balls regardless of the size.
❌ There are customers that bought the wrong color and realized these balls don’t squeak.
If you want an uninterrupted game of fetch with your dog, the Petsafe Automatic Tennis Ball Launcher works miracles. To avoid straining your arm muscles, use this launcher instead.
Our canine friends love to run long distances during a game of catch and luckily, the Petsafe launcher has nine (9) distance settings with six (6) different angle settings. This makes a game of fetch and catch fun and challenging for dogs of all ages and size.
Many dog owners love the Petsafe automatic ball launcher because it can be used both outdoors as well as indoors and is water-resistant.
With this launcher, you’ll be able to enjoy your time with your dog without getting a sore arm the next day.
Hyper Pet Tennis Ball Launcher Key Features:
- Multiple sensors including the front motion sensor.
- Can launch the tennis ball for as far as 30 feet.
- Features 9 distance settings and 6 various angle settings.
- Provides your dog with 15 minutes of play followed by 15 minutes of rest interval.
- Can load up to 3 tennis balls.
What customers are saying:
Pros
✅ A lot of dog owners noted that this launcher is great for owners of any age who would like to enjoy playtime with their dogs.
✅ Many owners notice their canine friends are running around more and are happier when catching the balls.
✅ Dog owners are happy that the tennis ball launcher saves their arms from muscle ache and provides for an endless game of catch and fetch.
✅ The tennis ball launcher will not launch the ball if your furry friend is very close to the machine.
✅ Before using the automatic tennis ball launcher, make sure to introduce it to your pup first. This way, he will become more comfortable with it and will not be afraid of it.
Cons
❌ A few customers were disappointed that the launcher doesn’t throw far enough.
❌ The audible tones are loud and may scare some dogs.
❌ You may have to wipe the dirt off the ball so the automatic tennis ball launcher can read the ball.
If you’re looking to exercise, have fun or spend time with your dog, head outside with the Chuckit Paraflight Frisbee and play fetch with your furry family member. If your furry friend loves to jump, fetch, or catch things mid-flight, this is the frisbee to get. It is designed to be aerodynamic and features a multilayer nylon interior with soft rubber edges that is gentle on your dog’s teeth and gum. If you’re planning to head to the pool or to a nearby lake, you won’t have to worry about losing the paraflight frisbee because it will float in the water. Not only will your dog love the physical activity that comes with catching the frisbee, but this is also a great bonding time for both you and your dog.
Chuckit Paraflight Frisbee Key Features:
- Aerodynamic frisbee that is designed for long-distance flight
- Floats in water and great for playing at the pool or lake
- Features multilayer nylon interior with soft rubber edges that’s gentle on puppy’s gums and teeth
- Great for dogs that love to jump or catch mid-flight
What customers are saying:
Pros
✅ Many of the dog owners noticed their dogs love this Chuckit Paraflight Frisbee.
✅ They said it’s great for their Border Collies and Aussies that love frisbees.
✅ A lot of owners said the frisbee travels well in the air, is very durable and sturdy yet soft for their dogs.
✅ Most owners appreciate that this frisbee is easy to wash and dry and playing with this frisbee with their dogs has become part of their daily routine every evening before bed.
✅ The majority of the owners in the review said that they plan to buy another one when the current frisbee eventually wears out.
✅ They also noted how happy they were that the material of this frisbee absorbs the dog’s saliva so the owners don’t feel the slobber as much.
✅ Some observed that usually their dogs do not play fetch, but with the Chuckit Paraflight Frisbee, their dogs love playing with it and chasing it.
Cons
❌ Some customers were disappointed that the frisbee did not fly straight as they had expected.
❌ Please note that this is a paraflight frisbee and it will not fly straight. There are several different types of frisbees for different flight directions such as zipflight, heliflight, flying squirrel and paraflight. Depending on how challenging you’d like it to be for your dog, you would choose accordingly.
❌ A few customers pointed out that their dogs would chew on the disk when they’re taking breaks and as a result, the frisbee would get destroyed.
❌ Please make sure to supervise your dogs when playing with the frisbee.
The AMZpets Dog Toy Set for Large Dogs, Puppy Teething & Aggressive Chewers comes with seven different kinds of cotton chewing ropes. There’s two (2) indestructible tug of war ropes, two (2) dental cotton chewer knots, and three (3) cotton rope balls. These durable toys are designed for large dogs. They are made of high-quality cotton fibers that are natural, safe, and washable. Instead of biting or chewing on dog leashes, sofa, shoes, or pillow, your dog can chew on these toys instead. This will help reduce his or her anxiety and relieve stress. Please always supervise your furry family members when they’re playing with these toys.
AMZpets Dog Toy Set for Large Dogs, Puppy Teething & Aggressive Chewers Key Highlights:
- A convenient carry bag with shoulder straps is included
- Great for puppies that are teething and aggressive chewers
- Comes in a variety: 2 tug of war ropes, 2 dental cotton chewer knots, 3 cotton rope balls
- Not recommended for overly aggressive chewers or small dogs
What customers are saying:
Pros
✅ Dog owners love that this variety pack comes with seven different toys of different shapes and sizes.
✅ They were happy with how durable it is since they’ve had the toys for weeks and were happily surprised that the yarn didn’t bleed colors on the carpet.
✅ Owners also noticed that this variety pack is good for their average or slightly aggressive chewers.
Cons
❌ Many dog owners were disappointed that this variety pack toy was not for dogs that are overly aggressive and super chewers.
With over five years of specialized experience as an animal writer, my expertise lies in dog nutrition, health, behavior, grooming, and training. I am dedicated to delivering helpful and informative content that caters to the well-being of our furry friends. My primary goal is to empower pet owners with knowledge and ensure our canine companions thrive in health and happiness. In my free time, I love volunteering at local dog rescue centers.
