Pet behavior can be confusing. Cats acting like dogs, dogs acting like sheep, and us trying to figure out what it all means when our dogs start grazing on our front lawns.
When it happens, most of us get worried because we’ve been told that dogs only eat grass when they are sick.
While some may describe grass eating in dogs as abhorrent behavior and chalk it up to a medical or nutritional problem, most vets and animal experts consider it normal dog conduct.
Even though we like to think of our dogs as being just one comfortable couch removed from the wolf — and they sort of are — dogs are not carnivores. There’s some debate about it, but dogs are considered omnivores, meaning they eat and are able to digest both meat and vegetables.
While it’s true that some dogs will eat grass and later vomit, research indicates that we’ve got the cause-and-effect backward. The dog doesn’t eat grass because it is ill, however, consuming the grass makes it sick.
There are a few reasons why your dog would eat grass. The first one is, it likes the taste and texture in its mouth.
The second one is, the dog is bored and looking for something to do. The lawn becomes sort of Mount Everest. Your dog eats grass because it’s there.
Another reason is that your dog might suffer from pica, a medical disorder involving the ingestion of non-food items. The underlying causes of pica can be that the dog’s diet is lacking in something its body needs, or that the dog has diabetes, thyroid problems or a vitamin deficiency.
Although dogs all have the same basic nutritional needs, each dog is different and therefore may need different things. If your dog is consistently eating grass, take it to the vet for a checkup. A change in diet or the addition of vitamin supplements might be in order.
A vet also can find out if there is an underlying medical issue leading to the grazing.
If everything checks out, consider the possibility your dog is bored. Make sure you give the dog more attention and exercise.
While there’s no real harm in eating grass, consumption should be limited because of the amount of chemicals some of us apply to our lawns. You also should keep your dog from eating plants in landscapes, parks and wilderness areas. Some of them can be toxic.
Although dogs do have a need for meat, they also will benefit from vegetables.