Have you ever caught your dog eating grass and wondered why are they doing that? It’s a normal dog behavior, but it’s one that often confuses dog owners. After all, if dogs are carnivores, why do dogs eat grass?
Omnivore Vs. Carnivore
As it turns out, the question of whether dogs are carnivores or omnivores is still widely debated within the scientific community. Even though wolves are known to be carnivores, the modern-day dog has digestive traits which appear to be more associated with omnivores1.
There are a few different reasons why dogs might eat grass. Some of them are perfectly normal and nothing to worry about, but others could be indicative of an underlying health issue.
Why do dogs eat grass?
Nutrition
Vitamins
One of the most common reasons why dogs eat grass is that they’re simply trying to satisfy their nutritional needs. While meat is an important part of a dog’s diet, there are certain vitamins and minerals that can only be found in plants. So, if your dog isn’t getting enough greens in their diet, they might turn to grass as a way to supplement their nutrition.
Fiber
Another reason why your dog might eat grass is due to a lack of fiber. Fiber is an important nutrient that helps keep the digestive system running smoothly. If your dog isn’t getting enough fiber in their diet, they might turn to grass as a way to help them pass stool.
Upset Stomach
Another possibility is that your dog’s stomach is upset. If your dog eats something that doesn’t agree with them, they might try to vomit by eating grass. However, studies have shown that vomiting afterward occurred in less than 25% of dogs eating grass. So this reason for dogs eating grass is less likely. Dogs vomiting after they eat grass usually isn’t a cause for concern but if your dog is vomiting frequently or showing signs of a medical problem, you should take them to the vet right away.
Boredom
Some experts believe that dogs eat grass because they’re bored. If your dog isn’t getting enough exercise or mental stimulation, they might start exhibiting destructive behaviors like chewing on furniture or digging holes—or start grazing on your lawn! If you think this might be the case with your dog, try giving them more toys to play with or taking them for longer walks each day.
Stressed
Another reason dogs eat grass is due to stress. If your dog is feeling anxious or stressed, they might start chewing on things as a way to soothe their nerves. This behavior is similar to how we might bite our nails when we’re feeling anxious. If you think stress might be the reason why your dog is eating grass, try to identify what’s causing them stress and see if there’s anything you can do to minimize this.
Conclusion
As discussed above, it’s a not an odd behavior for dogs to eat grass and not one to be concerned with as most dogs do it. In this blog post, we explored some of the most common reasons why dogs eat grass—including satisfying their nutritional needs, wanting to induce vomiting, or being bored or stressed. If you’re concerned about your dog’s grazing habits, talk to your vet to see if there might be an underlying health issue at play.
References
1 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25415597/
