Dogs are animals that are known for being curious.

If you are a dog owner, you will likely be witness to some truly strange behavior over the years that can be both surprising and hilarious. These types of behaviors don’t necessarily mean that something is wrong with your dog, they are just trying out new things and making discoveries about the world that they live in.

One behavior that might raise concern for many dog owners is when they eat grass. You might know this behavior all too well. You head outside to walk your dog and they immediately dart over to chomp on some fresh grass. This is actually a very common occurrence for all different types of dogs. If you notice that your dog is eating grass every time they head outside, it’s important to understand the potential reasons why so that you can decide whether or not it’s a cause for real concern.

Why Do Dogs Like Grass?

As we mentioned earlier, eating grass is a pretty common behavior for dog owners to witness.  Why they are so attracted to eating it? The answer could be for a variety of reasons.

It can be very concerning for dog owners to see their pets munching on grass outside only to throw it all up a few minutes later. However, lots of people believe that dogs instinctively know grass can help them throw up. They eat grass when they are having digestive issues or have a stomach problem in order to purge.

One of the main reasons why your dog could be eating grass is because of boredom. This is particularly true for younger dogs and puppies. Your dog also might be eating fresh grass because it’s his natural instinct. Some scientists believe that canines of the past ingested grass as a means of helping them digest their food. Keep in mind that dogs can have a taste preference for some truly strange things like dirty socks, shoes, and sticks, which means their grass-eating habit might exist simply because your dog loves the taste.

There are a few reasons why your dog is eating grass that can be a cause for concern. If your dog is eating grass and experiences diarrhea, lethargy, or weight loss along with grass-induced vomiting, it could be a sign of a serious gastrointestinal problem. A sudden increase in grass intake can also be a reason to worry.

One theory that many experts have about dog’s grass-eating habits is that they are trying to make up for a lack of essential nutrients such as fiber. Many veterinarians have suggested that the grass can help them with digestion and that they eat it to make up for the nutrition that their diet lacks. You can try switching your dog over to a high-fiber fresh food diet and see if they stop eating grass altogether.

How Can I Stop My Dog From Eating Grass?

As we mentioned before, two of the main causes of dogs eating grass are boredom and a lack of nutrition. More exercise for your dog outside can be a way to alleviate their boredom and might help them kick their grass-eating habit. If your dog is on a poor quality diet and seems to be struggling with their stools, their habitual grass-eating is likely due to nutritional deficiencies. If you think this is the case for your dog, you should try feeding them a digestible diet of high-quality dog food. Keep in mind that grass is essentially harmless for dogs to eat, but if it’s been treated with certain pesticides and chemicals, it can indeed be harmful to your pup.