Why Dogs Love Eating Grass: The Surprising Reason & Safety Tips

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Ever catch your furry friend grazing on your well-manicured lawn or snacking on some fresh greens at your local dog park? You’re not alone! It turns out, this is a behavior witnessed by up to 80% of pet parents.

This grass-eating tendency is no modern fad, nor is it exclusive to our trendy designer dog breeds. Evidence from Yellowstone National Park shows that up to 74% of wolf droppings contain plant matter, predominantly grass. This may indicate that our dogs’ penchant for grass dates back to their wild ancestors.

Exploring Common Hypotheses

But what’s the real scoop behind our pets’ green delicacy?

Contrary to popular belief, dogs aren’t likely to munch on the grass to induce vomiting due to stomach discomfort.

A study involving 12 dogs who munched on grass daily reported very few instances of vomiting, and dogs who typically vomited after a meal. Similarly, if your dog is experiencing a mild tummy upset due to something they’ve ingested, they’re less inclined to nibble on grass compared to when on their usual diet.

Some folks theorize dogs feast on grass for its laxative effects or to add some much-needed roughage (hello, fiber!) to their diets. Yet, there’s little scientific backing to these notions.

For instance, in the above-mentioned study, despite all dogs being worm-free with no prior digestive issues, they continued their grass-gobbling habit (709 times, to be exact!).

An intriguing observation was that dogs were more inclined to eat grass when they hadn’t had their daily meal. Put simply, the hungrier the pup, the more likely they’ll seek a grassy snack.

The Simple Pleasure of Eating Grass

Perhaps the reason your dog dines on grass is as simple as this — they enjoy it! It may be a boredom buster, or the act of pulling up grass could be satisfying.

The unique texture and taste of grass offer a different culinary experience. They may even have seasonal preferences, such as the tantalizing taste of fresh spring grass.

Does this mean you should let Fido enjoy his greens without concern?

Not exactly.

Herbicides and Pet Health

Firstly, you might not appreciate your pet turning your neighbor’s pristine lawn into their personal salad bar. More critically, grass, particularly in public areas, is often treated with herbicides.

These chemicals can remain for up to 48 hours after application and can even show up in dogs’ urine who’ve been exposed to these herbicides.

Research hints at a possible connection between bladder cancer in dogs and exposure to these herbicides. Interestingly, dogs may serve as warning signs, as the same chemicals have been found in the urine of humans and dogs sharing the same environment.

Safety Tips for Pet Owners

So, if you use herbicides on your lawn, ensure your dog, their toys, and food and water bowls are removed before application. Wait until the pesticide has thoroughly dried before letting your dog roam again. This is especially vital for granular products that seep into the soil, which may need 24 hours or more to dry.

For those wanting to err on the side of caution, manual weeding might be the safer option.

Remember that aside from grass, many common plants, leaves, flowers, and berries can be harmful to your dog. Plants like oleander and arum lily, even oregano and bay leaves, can induce vomiting and diarrhea in dogs.

So, take your dog for their favorite walk. Let them sample some grass along the way, provided it’s free from herbicides, and there’s little cause for concern.

Don’t fret over the occasional vomiting. But if you notice severe vomiting or diarrhea, don’t hesitate to reach out to your vet.