It can be confusing and worrying when you see your beloved companion chomping on grass. You may wonder if they are hungry, bored, sick, or if it will harm them. Notice your dog vomiting? Now that is a cause for concern….
Eating non-food items, known as pica, is a disorder that can be a sign of boredom, especially in puppies and younger dogs. In general, dogs eating grass is not a serious issue.
Dogs eating grass is common in both wild and domesticated dogs. It is a natural behavior and most veterinarians consider it normal. In a study of 49 dogs, 79% had eaten plants, with grass being the most commonly consumed plant.
Dogs eat grass for various reasons: It’s suggested that they might eat grass to make themselves vomit and feel better, but it’s not proven. Most dogs that eat grass are not sick before grazing, and eating grass doesn’t typically lead to vomiting.
Other reasons for eating grass include improving digestion or fulfilling a nutritional need. A high-fiber diet can stop dogs from eating grass. Lastly, dogs might simply like the taste or texture of grass..
Should I Stop My Dog From Eating Grass? If So How?
Although most experts agree that grazing itself isn’t harmful,
one thing to keep in mind is that certain herbicides anda pesticides used on lawns can be quite toxic, especially if ingested.
Additionally, a number of common house and garden plants are toxic, which could lead to problems if your dog munches on them along with the lawn. To make sure the plants in and around the area where your dog is eating grass aren’t dangerous, check the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center website, which maintains a list of toxic and non-toxic plants.
