If you ask around among family and friends, a common response might be that your dog is eating grass because they need to vomit. It's true that dogs are often sick after eating grass, but that's usually because they consumed the grass, not because they needed to be sick in the first place.
So, why does my dog eat grass on walks? Munching on grass is a natural behaviour for dogs, and they do it for several reasons, ranging from instinct to simple curiosity.
Why does my dog eat grass on walks?
They like the taste
Grass is sweet, chewy and has a high water content. If you remember that dog's, before becoming domesticated, were wild animals who had to eat what they could find, especially as the bigger animals and wild cats got the best of the meat first. Eating grass is more common from early spring to late summer - it could be that the seasons change the way the grass tastes. I'm not going to be the one who finds out.
They need to be sick
As mentioned above, you'll likely be told that your dog is eating grass as they need to be sick, or they have an upset tummy, but a survey revealed that fewer than 1 in 10 dogs showed signs if illness before eating the grass and only 25% were regularly sick afterwards. Some dogs will vomit, but that's likely because they've eaten something that they don't usually eat. Show caution though if you allow your dog to eat grass at the side of the road, as the chances are they have been sprayed with weed killer.
They need fibre
Grass is a great source of fibre. Dog's tend to know if they're missing something in their diet. Dog's need between 2% and 4% of fibre in their daily diet and can be soluble and insoluble. If you find your dog is eating grass regularly, check the ingredients on your dog's food, if you're unsure, ask me.
They're bored
It may be that your dog isn't getting enough mental stimulation, especially if they tend to eat grass from the garden. Chewing accomplishes many things for dog's; pain relief, boredom, stress and anxiety relief.
Should I stop my dog eating grass?
It won't do them any harm, but as mentioned above, show caution when walking your dog publicly as you don't know what it could have been sprayed with. If you use fertiliser, herbicide or pesticide at home, don't let your dog have a munch. If your dog is eating grass excessively, regularly vomiting or showing any other signs of ill health, you should always consult your vet.
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