If your dog snacks on grass during a walk or in the backyard, you're not alone in wondering why. My older dog, Sookie, has the nickname of "Little Cow" because she loves to graze on grass.
Grass eating is one of the most common, and often puzzling, dog behaviors. While it's often harmless, in some cases it can signal an underlying issue worth fixing.
Is Eating Grass Normal for Dogs?
Yes, many dogs eat grass from time to time, and for most of them, it's a normal behavior. Some dogs simply seem to enjoy the taste. Others might graze out of boredom or habit, especially if they're left unsupervised in the yard and have nothing else to do.
Why Dogs Eat Grass
Grass eating might indicate that your dog isn't feeling well or mean there are underlying health issues. Eating too much grass, eating it suddenly when they usually don't, or showing other symptoms could mean something else is going on.
Possible reasons your dog is eating grass include:
- Digestive Upset: Some dogs eat grass when they feel nauseous, and they may vomit afterward. One theory is that dogs will do this on purpose to throw up, because it helps them feel better when experiencing an upset stomach.
- Nutritional Gaps: Dogs lacking certain nutrients (like fiber) may seek out grass to fill this need. One case study found that switching a dog to a high fiber diet helped stop grass eating and subsequent vomiting.
- Parasites or Illness: Internal parasites or gastrointestinal disease can increase the urge to eat things like grass. Medical issues that can cause stomach upset, which may lead to grass eating, include inflammatory bowel disease, gastric reflux, and pancreatitis.
- Behavioral Issues: Anxiety, stress, or boredom can lead to pica, or eating things that aren't food.
If your dog is eating grass that has been treated with chemicals (pesticides, weed control, fertilizers, etc.), then they could become ill and develop vomiting and diarrhea. Your dog may ingest sharp seeds or even dangerous foxtails, which can lodge in your dog's mouth, throat, or digestive tract.
What to Do if Your Dog Eats Grass
Rule Out Medical Issues with Your Veterinarian
Occasional nibbling on grass is usually fine for dogs, but frequent or obsessive eating warrants a vet check. Contact your veterinarian if you notice any of the following:
- Your dog eats grass daily or in excessive amounts
- They vomit frequently after eating grass
- Your dog exhibits other symptoms, like diarrhea, decrease in appetite, or weight loss
Your vet can check for parasites, digestive issues, or nutritional deficiencies, and develop a treatment plan, if needed.
Adjust Diet and Feeding
If your veterinarian believes that your dog may be eating grass due to a nutritional imbalance or stomach upset, there are a few things you can try:
- Consider adding more fiber to your dog's diet. Some dogs may be eating grass to feel fuller, especially if they are on a diet. Fiber increases the feeling of fullness and could help reduce the urge to eat grass.
- Feed your dog more frequently. Smaller, more frequent meals mean bile is less likely to irritate the stomach and causing upset, especially in the mornings.
- Add probiotics to your dog's diet. If your dog's gut microbiome is out of balance, they may be trying to rebalance it by eating grass. Digestive enzymes can help dogs break down and process their food more efficiently, helping with absorption of nutrients. Our team vet recommends the one below specifically for grass eating, but you can find even more of her probiotic recommendations here.
Provide More Mental Enrichment
If your dog is eating grass because they are bored, then invest more time and effort into providing them with mental enrichment activities. Not only is this important for a dog's well-being, but it also helps to prevent undesired behaviors like chewing or digging. Here are a few ideas for dog enrichment to get you started:
- Take your dog on a sniffari: Letting your dog stop and smell the roses (or whatever it may be) is very satisfying for them and a great way to tire them out.
- Use an interactive puzzle feeder: Food-dispensing toys, slow feeders, or snuffle mats encourage natural foraging behaviors and slow down eating.
- Provide safe chewing options: Safe chews like dental chews, bully sticks, or rawhide alternatives satisfy your dog's need to gnaw.
- Play short training games: Quick, positive training sessions build useful skills while working your dog's brain.
- Play with your pup: Fetch, tug, or having your dog chase a flirt pole provides exercise and brain work.
For breed-specific enrichment ideas, enter your dog's breed(s) in the quiz below:
Offer Safe Alternatives
If your dog just seems to enjoy eating their greens, then provide them with dog-safe options. Veggies like lettuce, kale, or green beans are healthier alternatives to grass.
Here are some of our picks for pet grass you can grow at home:
Keep the Yard Safe
Grass eating becomes much riskier if your yard where your dog grazes isn't safe. Protect your dog by avoiding lawn chemicals or opt for pet-safe lawn care products. Another option is to simply leave the yard untreated.
Regularly inspect your yard for foxtails, which can pose a serious risk if inhaled, ingested, or even just stepped on. Keep your yard clean by picking up any pet waste, removing mushrooms, and making sure there isn't any debris that your dog may ingest while munching on grass. A dog-safe yard allows your dog to indulge in their grass eating behavior without putting their health at risk.
Can Dogs Be Allergic to Grass?
Yes, dogs can be allergic to grass, although the reaction tends to happen through skin contact, not from eating it. Dogs with grass allergies often show signs such as paw licking, red or itchy skin, ear infections, or frequent scratching after being outside.
Eating grass itself doesn't usually cause an allergic reaction, but if pollen or other irritants are on the blades of grass, it could make allergy symptoms worse. If your dog seems itchier after eating grass or has recurring skin or ear issues, ask your veterinarian about allergy testing and management options.
For many dogs, eating grass is a quirky but harmless habit. But when it becomes excessive, causes illness, or overlaps with other health concerns, it's time to dig deeper. Paying attention to your dog's "normal" patterns and bringing up changes to this normal to your vet, helps to keep them healthy.
