Why is dog eating grass

Which means that good health relies on plant foods as well as high quality meat. Eating grass may be an easy, and seemingly tasty way for dogs to add roughage to their diet, helping to keep things flowing through their gastrointestinal tract GI or digestive tract. That said, if your dog is eating grass but also showing signs of stomach discomfort, there may be a medical problem. Dogs can suffer from a number of GI issues including gastric reflux, pancreatitis, and inflammatory bowel disease.

If your dog is eating grass, and has other symptoms such as lack of appetite, decreased energy, diarrhea, or constipation, it's time to see your vet. Much like people who mindlessly bite their nails, dogs will often eat grass due to boredom or anxiety. If your dog is not showing any symptoms of digestive issues but munches relentlessly on grass, consider psychological reasons for their behavior. If your dog seems bored, increasing the length, distance or intensity of walks could help to reduce grass eating.

For dogs that suffer from separation anxiety, try leaving an old blanket or t-shirt with your scent on it with your dog when you leave the house. Your dog may find the familiar scent reassuring and help to curb grass eating. Some dogs show obsessive behaviors. If your dog is obsessively eating grass, it's time to see your veterinarian. Your vet will be able to advise you on how to help your dog reduce obsessive behaviors. Dog Name Finder Browse our extensive library of dog names for inspiration.

Find out the best and worst foods for your dog and which to avoid. Additional Resources AKC. Clubs Offering: Training Classes. Back To Common Conditions. By Jessika Zachary Oct 30, 2 Minutes. Oct 30, 2 Minutes. Why Do Dogs Eat Grass? When Should You Take Action? Why does my dog do that? Sometimes, dogs eat grass and swallow it.

Other times, they simply chew it up and spit it out. Or got a bit worried? Many dog parents have the same question in mind — why do dogs eat grass — and want to know what it means for their canine friend. Plus, discover what dog dangers to look out for in summer. There is no one simple reason why dogs eat grass. Dogs enjoy munching on the stuff for a bunch of different reasons. One simple explanation for why dogs eat grass is instinct.

In the past, dogs survived by eating grass and other plants, meat and bones, and food scraps that could be found around groups of humans. Their scavenger nature is also what enabled dogs to survive and thrive as long as they have throughout history. That, combined with their prey drive , which is still quite intense in some dog breeds. Grass eating is thought to be a normal habit inherited from wild dogs from a long, long time ago.

For dogs back then to survive, they would have needed good hunting abilities in order to survive as a pack. Grass eating may have evolved to help conceal their scent from their prey. Over time, dogs have evolved to become omnivores — like us humans — which can explain why they still have an appetite for grass. One reason why dogs eat grass is that they are really hungry, or have a dietary deficiency. Grass, like other plants growing outdoors in nature, contains vitamins, minerals and nutrients that are good for your furry friend.

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.