It is a fresh, clear spring morning with the dew still on the unbelievably green grass as you let your dog out for their morning constitutional. Coffee in hand, you take in the natural beauty of the world and survey your backyard with a sense of pride and awe, grateful that all of this is yours. Then you hear the retching in the corner, and the magical spell disappears faster than the rabbit your dog startled when you opened the back door.
Why, on such a picturesque morning, does your dog feel the need to go outside, eat grass, and then vomit—not just once, but twice? Always twice. The first seems like a warm-up for the main event, when all that lovely fresh green grass comes right back up for a second visit. Why do dogs eat grass if it’s only going to make them vomit?
So, Why Do Dogs Eat Grass?
One reason dogs eat grass is that it makes them sick! Dogs that use grass to binge and purge do so because of a buildup of bile in their stomachs. The gallbladder produces bile, which is released into the stomach to help digest fats. On an empty stomach, bile can cause an acidic or queasy feeling, which triggers the dog to eat grass in order to vomit up whatever is making them feel ill. Most often, the dog will vomit up a mix of bile and grass, only to dive into their breakfast a few minutes later, as if nothing ever happened.
This is actually normal dog behavior, although steps should be taken to limit the frequency of these binge/purge sessions. One way to do this is to feed your dog smaller meals more frequently so their stomach never gets that sick, empty feeling. You can also give them a snack before bed so their stomach has something to work on overnight. Another option is to mix their regular kibble with a fiber-rich formula diet available through your veterinarian. Fiber stays in the stomach longer than regular food, alleviating that empty-stomach issue. Additionally, switching food brands can sometimes cause nausea, so sticking with one brand that your dog enjoys and that maintains their optimal weight is a good idea.
When Should You Be Concerned?
If the grass-eating increases in frequency or happens more than once a week, it’s time for a visit to the vet. The nausea or acidic stomach could be caused by an underlying condition, or your vet may prescribe antacids to help calm your dog’s stomach.
Does Your Dog Eat Grass and Not Vomit?
Eating grass is normal for dogs. When wolves and coyotes kill prey, such as a deer or rabbit, they eat the contents of the stomach as well as the “juicy bits” to absorb the nutrients and enzymes found in the grass within their prey’s digestive tract. Domestic dogs have developed their own method of getting nutrients from grass—they go straight to the unprocessed product! Many dogs can digest grass or at least pass it through their system without vomiting. Although this can lead to some digestive effects at the other end of the tract, it generally does not harm the dog’s overall health.
Why Does the Dog Eat Grass if It Just Passes Through?
Sometimes, the grass is consumed because the dog is missing a specific nutrient in their diet, and the grass temporarily fills that gap. Your vet can provide insight into what nutrients might be lacking and how to incorporate them into their regular meals without resorting to eating grass.
While grass usually passes through a dog’s digestive tract without causing harm, there are a few things to be mindful of to ensure your dog’s health. Thick-stemmed or non-cultivated grass can have tiny barbs that may slice the esophagus on the way down. This can result in the grass coming back up with a bit of frothy blood. While this is usually not dangerous, it’s best to discourage your dog from eating non-soft, cultivated grass.
How to Manage Your Dog’s Grass-Eating Habits
If your dog must eat grass, try to limit them to your own yard, and keep the grass as natural or organic as possible. Fertilizers, weed killers, and insecticides can build up in your dog’s system. While it’s hard to predict the long-term effects of exposure to these chemicals, it certainly can’t be healthy. Keep in mind that fertilizers for lawns are not the same as those used in vegetable gardens. Dogs are not expected to consume large quantities of lawn fertilizer. It’s also a good idea to discourage your dog from munching on grass during walks or at the neighbor’s house.
Adding a source of greens to your dog’s regular diet may help reduce the amount of grass they eat. Greens can include adding vegetables to their meals, giving them a carrot to snack on, or even purchasing a high-quality green dietary supplement. For more information about green supplements, consult a knowledgeable pet store employee or visit a health food store that offers pet products.
Eating grass is normal for dogs, but there are ways to help reduce the amount they consume. Pay attention to what they eat, how often they eat, and what might be missing from their diet for clues. And if you catch them chowing down on your lawn, just keep them outside until it comes back up—it’ll save you the cleanup and probably prevent a lovely yellow stain on your carpet!
