Why do eat grass

This may mean that there is no real connection between the two activities. Some dogs may vomit because of the strange texture or taste of the grass, rather than for any digestive reason.

They may be responding to a psychological need to do so. Psychological Reasons Why Dogs Eat Grass and Vomit Although no one knows for sure why dogs engage in this behavior, many vets feel the reasons are psychological ones. Instincts Could Be the Cause There may be some instinctive psychological reasons for this behavior, too.

Upset Stomach Many pet owners think dogs eat grass because they have an upset stomach. A Dietary Response It is possible that dogs may eat grass because they need more fiber in their diets. There is a good chance a food upgrade could stop the grass eating behavior. Stomach Problems If your dog does show symptoms of stomach problems, she may have an issue that requires veterinary attention.

There are a number of reasons why dogs eat grass. Dogs eat grass to add fibre to their diet, to induce vomiting if they feel unwell, as a distraction from boredom, or to fill a void in their nutrition. Your dog may also be eating grass simply because they enjoy the taste or texture.

Bjone et al. There were 5 episodes of vomiting out of grass eating incidents. This study concluded that dogs do not eat grass to cause themselves to vomit. In a study by Sueda et al. This study also found that younger dogs ate more grass than older dogs. These studies provide some evidence that dogs do not eat grass to induce vomiting. Pet parents need to be sure that the grass their dog eats does not contain any pesticides, which can poison dogs.

If you suspect your dog has eaten grass treated with pesticide, bring your dog to your local veterinary clinic immediately for treatment. Grass can be contaminated by droppings from other dogs and animals. Eating grass contaminated with fecal material can make your dog sick. Some intestinal illness, such as a parvovirus , are transmitted via the fecal-oral route.

Parvovirus can cause serious gastrointestinal disease in unvaccinated dogs and puppies. Some dogs can die from this disease. Fecal material from other dogs and animals may also contain eggs or larvae from intestinal parasites. Dogs that have intestinal parasites may lose weight and have diarrhea. Puppies are more at risk of suffering from anemia and death if the worm burden is large.

Adult dogs are less likely to die from intestinal parasites if they have a healthy immune system. There are certain intestinal parasites that need to be treated with different medications. Use positive reinforcement and reinforce alternate behaviors. Every time your dog tries to eat the grass, calmly interrupt the behavior through diversion, not scolding and ask your dog to perform another behavior instead.

This could be touching your hand to earn a treat or chasing their ball. Give your dog grass that you have grown yourself, given the fact that some researchers think this is normal dog behavior. Bjone, S. Grass eating patterns in the domestic dog, Canis familiaris. If your pet has any unusual behavior or symptoms of illness, call your veterinarian. Russell N. Ueckert has been providing veterinary care for animals in the Big Country for over 19 years.

This article was produced in part with contributions from Veterinary News Network.