Why Do Dogs Eat Grass? (And When Is It A Big Deal?)

As the warm days bloom around the corner, you might’ve found your buddy getting more active, outdoorsy, and…chewing, swallowing, or eating grass every so often?! Which might’ve made you wonder: why is my dog eating grass? And why do dogs eat grass in the first place? Here’s a post covering why – and how you can ensure yours doesn’t end up getting a mouthful of pesticide instead!

Find out how your dog spends their time.

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Why do dogs eat grass?

“Why does my dog eat grass?” you might be wondering. And in a nutshell: there’s no one simple reason why dogs eat grass. Dogs enjoy munching on the stuff for a bunch of different reasons.

The top 5 reasons for a dog eating grass are:

• Instinct
  Your dog’s wild ancestors might’ve eaten grass to conceal their scent from prey. So modern dogs’ instincts might drive them to do the same. Besides, most dogs are natural scavengers and find a meal wherever they go. (Even more so if they have a strong prey drive.)
• Nutrient deficiencies
  Grass, like other plants, contains vitamins, minerals and nutrients that are good for your furry friend. Before preparing homemade meals, be sure to work with your vet to make sure you’ve got the right balance of nutrition. If you notice that your dog has been munching away on grass or houseplants, then you may want to introduce natural herbs or cooked vegetables into their diet.
• Sickness
  While less than 25% of dogs vomit from eating grass¹, it may be the case they turn to eating grass when they’re not feeling well. Grass blades can tickle a dog’s throat, which may help them vomit. Which, in turn, can get rid of whatever’s bothering them and help them feel better. If a dog is trying to naturally get rid of a gassy or upset stomach, grass may do the trick.
• Boredom
  Which can drive dogs to chew on things (like socks) frequently when they’re bored and need “something to do.” So one of the main reasons why dogs eat grass – beyond its various other benefits – is that it’s just fun!
• Anxiety
  For example, if your dog suffers from separation anxiety, eating grass may be their way of coping.²

Is it safe for my dog to eat grass?

Grass itself is not toxic to dogs. No matter what the real reason is (and it may be different from dog to dog or a combination of all the above), you can be sure that eating grass is a common behavior for a normal, healthy dog.

But occasionally, grass, and particularly grass awns, can get stuck in the back of your dog’s throat. If your dog seems uncomfortable after eating grass – or if they’re pawing at their mouth – check for grass as a potential cause.

We’d also recommend you stay informed on what kinds of grasses and plants are toxic to dogs.³ Some of these include:

• Azaleas
• Daffodils
• Oleander
• Tulips
• Irises
• Peonies
• Foxgloves
• …and more

⚠️ Certain herbicides and pesticides used on lawns can also be quite toxic, especially if ingested and should certainly be avoided. Yard sprays, such as weed control, can turn grass and plants toxic. If you don’t know if an area is chemical-free or not, don’t let your dog graze.

Read more: The Danger Of Snail Bait For Dogs

How a GPS tracker can help you figure out your dog’s favorite (grassy) spots

Strapped to your dog’s collar, your trusty Tractive GPS can help you track your buddy’s every move in real-time – no matter how far they go. It can also help you figure out what spots around your neighborhood they might be hanging out in the most. Like from your dog’s Heat Map and Location History:

With yours, you now have a 24-hour Location History (365 days with a Premium subscription) of where your dog’s been off:

• Hiding
• Hunting
• Hanging out
• Or exploring (maybe to find some new grassy patch to invade)

Which might lead to your neighbors’ pesticide-riddled backyards, somewhere filled with toxic plants (including mushrooms), or just generally too far from safety.

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When you should be concerned about your dog eating grass

If you notice your dog eating grass excessively, obsessively, or more frequently than you think is normal, contact your vet. Besides, keep an eye out for these symptoms:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea – including blood in their stools
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Lethargy
• Excessive thirst

Besides, monitoring your dog’s whereabouts can help you figure out if they’re making a mess of your neighbors’ begonias – or coming in contact with substances (like snail bait or pesticides) that might be fatally toxic to them.

Follow your dog anywhere

Get real-time location information, wherever they go. And find out when they try to make an escape, or just when they go somewhere they shouldn’t, with Virtual Fences.

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Your furry friend’s health and wellbeing means as much as to us as it does to you. So we’ve made it a priority to only share medically-relevant content on our blog.

This post was checked, double-checked, and medically verified by Georgia-based vet, Dr. Dwight Alleyne.

Originally from Long Island, New York, Dr. Alleyne began his career at a no-kill animal shelter before becoming a licensed veterinary technician. He graduated from Cornell University Veterinary College in 2006 and completed an internship at Purdue University.

Now practicing in Georgia, Dr. Alleyne specializes in soft tissue surgery and ultrasounds. He also writes pet health articles on his website, “The Animal Doctor Blog” (www.anmldrblog.com).