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Grass: is it safe for dogs to eat?
Point blank answer: Yes, dogs can eat grass.
Got a grass-fed dog? Luckily, grass-eating dogs are very common and does not usually cause too many problems. If you suspect that your pet has eaten a plant other than grass, or has ingested pesticides, check out our posts for toxic indoor and outdoor plants, or call the Pet Poison Helpline immediately (and don’t forget that calls to the PPH are covered by your Healthy Paws policy).
Vets consider munching on grass to be a normal behavior for pups, and you’ve probably caught your dog doing this while you go on your afternoon walk or play in the backyard. Since plain grass (without pesticides) is not necessarily toxic, the question is – why is your dog eating grass?
Reasons dogs eat grass
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Improving Digestion:
One reason your dog may be grazing is to improve digestion. There are some other suggestions that pups with intestinal worms will eat grass. Make sure all vaccinations and preventative treatments are up-to-date, including monthly deworming/heartworm medications.
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Nutritional deficiency:
There is always the chance that pups are chomping grass in order to get a little roughage or fiber into their diet. If your dog is on an all-commercial diet, you may want to investigate the labels or switch to human-grade food, especially one chock full of fiber.
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Upset stomach:
If your dog is a little gassy or has an upset stomach, they tend to go straight for the grass when you’re out on a walk. When gulped down by an unwell pup, the grass blades tickles or scratches both the throat and stomach lining and can induce vomiting.
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Boredom:
If there’s no medical rhyme or reason for your dog’s grass dinner, she might be into the green stuff just out of boredom. Make sure you’re taking her on plenty of walks and try playing more often. To replace the grass, get her a chew-toy or yummy (and chewy) treat.
Whatever the reason may be, most vets say that eating grass isn’t necessarily toxic, if it hasn’t been treated with chemicals, pesticides or herbicides. If you notice that your dog has been munching away on grass, try to identify the circumstances surrounding the grass eating – are they getting enough veggies in their diet or have they been sick lately? One of the most common claims for Healthy Paws’ pet parents is stomach issues, so don’t discount it! With a little investigative work, you may find that your pup needs a little green, or may need to visit the vet.
Curious about what is okay (and not so okay) for your dog to munch on? Check out our other articles on what human foods are safe for dogs.
