Why does my Dog Eat Grass?

The most common reason dogs eat grass is because they like the taste of it. Another reason is that they are hungry, they are not feeling well and eating something to see if that helps (kind of like humans do).  My dogs can’t seem to resist the first tender shoots of grass in the spring. They aren’t sick and just seem to enjoy the taste. Grass is also part of a carnivore’s diet, usually consumed when they feed on smaller prey and consume the entire animal; including grassy stomach contents.

Grass eating is a common behaviour in normal dogs, unrelated to illness and most dogs do not regularly vomit afterward. Vomiting seems to be incidental to, rather than caused by, plant eating.

Sometimes, grass is an irritant to the stomach but only in large amounts and this can cause vomiting.  Large quantities of grass eating can also cause blockages in your dog’s stomach and intestine, because it forms a clump during digestion. If you feel your dog is vomiting/eating grass excessively, contact your vet for a check up.

Leah & Angela OMeara

Hound Dog Day Care (Specialists in Dog Minding & Dog Boarding Brisbane, Dog Walking, Pet Sitting & Doggy Day Care Brisbane)