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Questions
- Can dogs eat grass?
- Why do dogs eat grass?
- How long after eating grass will a dog vomit?
- What does it mean when a dog eats grass?
- What should I do if my dog eats grass?
- Myths about dogs eating grass
- Grass seeds and dogs
- How to tell if your dog is affected by grass seeds
The weather is getting warmer, evenings are getting longer, and many parents are taking their beloved companions on longer walks to make the most of it. While the weather has been drab and walks have been muddy, you might not have seen much of this particular habit. However, when the season changes, you’ll notice everything is slowly coming back to life and turning green again! You may spot your pooch chomping on the freshly grown grass and ask, why does a dog eat grass? You might also notice your feline friend having a nibble on the grass – you can find out what that means here. We’ve collected everything you need to know to find out once and for all, the answer to the question, why do dogs eat grass?
Can dogs eat grass?
It’s pretty much everywhere so can be tricky to avoid, but grass is usually harmless to eat! Most pet parents will agree, if your dog can get in reach of something, they will probably try to eat it.
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Is grass good for dogs?
You might be wondering, is it ok for dogs to eat grass? Grass is pretty harmless; it can actually have a few benefits of adding some roughage to help with digestion, but it doesn’t really harm or nutritionally benefit them overall. The only time grass eating can be harmful is when there are things on the grass that your dog shouldn’t or can’t digest.
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Is it safe for a dog to eat grass? Â
Some pesticides can be toxic to dogs and can be sprayed on to public grass. If your pup unknowingly tries to consume the sprayed grass, it can cause an upset stomach. There is also a chance of picking up parasites from grass eating but as long as you keep up with their regular worm and flea treatments, you don’t have to worry too much.
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Can puppies eat grass?
Puppies will often find the appearance of grass appealing – watching blades move in the breeze makes for fun prey to pounce on! This, combined with their habit of mouthing (a normal part of their development), means grass can be an easy target. If the grass is free from fertilisers and pesticides, it’s typically safe for your pup (who’s older than 8 weeks) to eat grass. If you suspect your pup has consumed grass that has been sprayed or they aren’t reacting well to eating grass, speak to your local veterinarian immediately.
Can a dog eat leaves?
Most leaves aren’t toxic to dogs, but it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the plants and trees in your area as some are toxic to dogs. Consuming a small amount of leaves shouldn’t cause any issues, but excessive eating can cause in digestive issues for your furry friend.
Why do dogs eat grass?
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Grass eating is actually thought to be an instinctual habit spanning from their ancestors. The canine predecessor was a scavenging animal so would have always been on the lookout for food. As omnivores, our four-legged companions don’t necessarily need only meat to survive anymore and instead have other nutrients from vegetables and fibre. It’s thought that grass eating could be linked to a scavenging behaviour that would have been beneficial to their survival before moving in with us and becoming pampered pooches.
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Is it normal for dogs to eat grass?
If your canine eating grass habit is something new that they haven’t done from a young age, then it’s not likely to be because of instinct, otherwise they would have performed the behaviour from early on. If it’s a newly occurring issue, then they could just very well be bored!
If you’re regularly walking the same route or there’s not much excitement happening, then grass eating can just be something to occupy themselves with. If you’ve ever paid attention to them while eating grass to tell them to stop or move them away, it could also be an attention seeking behaviour.
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Why dogs eat grass and vomit?
It’s not uncommon for a dog to vomit after eating grass. Grass isn’t nutritionally beneficial or even easily digested, so for whatever reason your pooch is snacking on grass, it can quite often come back up. If your pup is feeling unwell and eating grass to settle their stomach, the relief is often temporary when they vomit it back up.
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Should I stop my dog from eating grass?
Grass itself isn’t toxic to your pup so there’s no need for immediate concern. However, if your pup continues the cycle of eating grass and bringing it back up instead of it being a one-off occurrence, it’s best to seek medical advice. The Community Pet Clinic are always available to help your pup feel better and get to the bottom of why they were eating grass and vomiting.
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How to stop dog from eating grass?
Taking some treats out on your walks to reward good behaviour and practice their tricks can be one way of keeping them occupied. Otherwise, you can take some engaging toys that you can play with together like a tuggy toy or a fetch ball to make the walk more exciting for them.
How long after eating grass will a dog vomit?
It typically only takes 10-20 minutes for a dog to vomit after chomping down grass! This time is dependent on how much grass was eaten and your dog’s stomach sensitivity.
What does it mean when a dog eats grass?
There’s a range of reasons why dogs eat grass as mentioned previously. From needing a diet swap (try something like Natures Menu Raw Superfood Nuggets Grass-Fed Beef if your canine seems to be craving something leafy) to flushing out parasites, it’s sometimes caused by more than what meets the eye.
What should I do if my dog eats grass?
If it’s a sign of boredom, increasing your pup’s exercise, offering a range of chew toys or try offering them a new type of treat may dissuade your canine companion from munching on grass.
If you suspect it’s due to their health, speak to your local veterinarian as soon as possible.
Myths about dogs eating grass
It’s often thought that when dogs eat grass it means they’re unwell and they want to try and make themselves sick. Whilst this can sometimes be the case, a dog eating grass to vomit isn’t always effective, as grass doesn’t always make dogs sick and some eat grass purely out of boredom, to seek attention from their parent or because they like it!
Grass seeds and dogs
Grass seeds can be the bane of a dog parent’s life during warmer months. They get absolutely everywhere (making them a mare to clean up), but it’s even worse for our pets. Grass seeds can often get stuck in their eyes, ears, or paws after walking or running through long grass.
If they’re overly grooming an area, it could be worth a look to see if something is stuck there. If you have a pup that likes to graze on some grass, they’re much more likely to go into the tall grass and become at risk of getting seeds stuck somewhere they shouldn’t.
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How to tell if your dog is affected by grass seeds
Our beloved pets aren’t often well equipped to remove these pointy little seeds and they can embed themselves in their skin and cause an infection. Signs your pup might have a grass seed stuck somewhere will include:
·      Limping
·      Chewing their paws
·      Swellings between their toes
·      Scratching
·      Shaking their head
·      Discharge around the eyes
If you think your pooch has a seed stuck somewhere, it’s best to ask your vet to extract it properly and safely.
When to seek veterinary advice about their grass eating habits
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There may be a few instances where you want to ask your vet for some advice if your pup’s grass eating seems excessive. You can chat with your vet about their current diet, as it may be that something is missing, and you might be advised to add a supplement to their meals for more fibre.
If they’re eating grass, but off their own food this could indicate that they’re not feeling well but your vet will be able to help you get to the bottom of it. In a situation where grass eating becomes almost obsessive and you struggle to call them away, your first call should be to your vet to overall check their health before you may need to consult a qualified trainer.
To keep walks exciting and all other doggy essentials you need, take a look at our wide selection of products for your canine companions in store and online.