Should Dogs Eat Grass?
Being a dog owner often raises questions you never thought you’d ask: Why does my dog let the cat beat it up? What’s causing that smell? Do dogs really snack from the litter box? How can there be so much waste to pick up? Is my dog actually looking at me like I’m foolish? And, of course, the question we’ll explore here: Should dogs eat grass?
It’s common for dogs to munch on the lawn at some point. This might seem odd, especially since you go to great lengths to provide nutritious dog food daily. Yet, grass often appears to be an irresistible snack for many dogs.
Some dogs eat grass every time they’re outside, while others only do so occasionally. So, what makes the lawn so appealing? Experts don’t fully agree on why dogs eat grass, but a few theories stand out.
One theory suggests dogs may crave greens. Just as humans crave chocolate or steak, dogs, being omnivores, might occasionally want something crunchy and green. If this is true, grass is often the most accessible option.
Another idea is that some dogs eat grass simply because it’s available. Consider what else your dog might eat—toilet paper, a sweaty sock, or trash. Dogs aren’t particularly picky eaters.
Unlike cats, whose ancestors were hunters, early dogs were scavengers, eating whatever was available. This could explain why they munch on grass, trash, or anything else that catches their interest.
Since most commercial dog foods provide complete nutrition, it’s unlikely your dog eats grass due to a deficiency. For many dogs, they simply enjoy the taste.
Why Do Some Dogs Vomit After Eating Grass?
Some pet owners notice their dog only eats grass occasionally and may vomit afterward. Experts debate whether dogs eat grass to soothe an upset stomach or if the grass itself causes the upset. Most lean toward the idea that grass can upset the stomach. But if that’s the case, why can many dogs eat grass without any issues?
The answer may lie in how dogs eat grass. Dogs eating for pleasure typically chew it thoroughly before swallowing. However, dogs eating to relieve an upset stomach often swallow it nearly whole, which may trigger vomiting. This suggests that when a dog feels unwell, it may turn to grass to help expel whatever’s bothering it, even if it doesn’t enjoy the taste.
Most experts agree that eating grass is generally harmless for dogs. Dogs have eaten grass for centuries without issue. However, there are exceptions.
While grass itself isn’t harmful, grass treated with toxic chemicals, like insecticides, can be dangerous. If you treat your lawn, carefully read product labels to check for pet safety warnings. After applying chemicals, keep pets away from treated areas, as these can stick to their paws and be ingested through licking, potentially causing illness.
Since eating grass is typically safe, there’s no need to stop your dog from indulging. However, if it bothers you, some veterinarians suggest dogs eating grass regularly might crave fiber. While not all experts agree, offering raw vegetables could reduce their desire to graze on your lawn.
In fact, eating grass might even benefit your dog. It may help clear excess mucus, cleanse the bowels, or even eliminate intestinal worms. Some grasses contain enzymes and vitamins beneficial for animals. However, always ensure the grass your dog eats is free from harmful chemicals.
If your dog regularly eats grass or occasionally vomits after doing so, there’s no cause for concern—it’s just part of being a dog.
This article is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Always consult your vet for medical guidance.
One Response
My dog does not conform to the descriptions herein. She only eats grass once in a great while after we already know her stomach has been bothering her (as she will hardly eat anything).
She is also VERY selective and won’t eat just any kind of grass (as most landscape grass is a mixture of various types). When she finds what she wants, she keeps us there for as long as necessary until she’s satiated, and she chews the grass rather than merely swallowing it whole. After few days of this she typically stops eating grass until she has another issue. People should study German New Medicine because a lot of these stomach problems are NOT food related. They can be, but an “undigested morsal” can be both literal and figurative (such as a problem one dog is having with another dog or human).
Moreover, there is virtually no such thing among mammals as herbivores and carnivores (or probably any animal or plant as even the latter absorbs the fruits of decayed animal matter through the root system).
Name a herbivore and you can probably find it on youtube eating meat and/or poultry (deer, elephants, giraffe etc.), and I suspect the truth is the same about carnivores regarding grass and other plant offerings nature provides.
Remember, the bulk of evidence suggests that dogs are descendants of domesticated wolves, and wolves are regarded even today as carnivores. As Graham Hancock and others have cited in recent years, North America appears to have been hit by a large comet about 11,600 years ago which affected the whole planet and wiped out virtually all the megafauna causing many animals, including humans, to eat much more plant matter than they were used to. Although many mammals recovered, the largest ones mostly did not, and some animals were forced to adopt changes to the diets faster than other depending on the competition.
Lastly, meat is the most nutrient-dense food on people’s menus for a reason, and this processed garbage many of us we feed our dogs is NOT all the nutrients the6 need in their proper form or amounts. In my opinion that is merelys a myth perpetrated by the dog food industry.