Dog owners often wonder why dogs eat grass. Dogs are primarily carnivores, but they can easily adapt to an omnivore diet and they can eat grass. The reasons why dogs eat grass are not clear, but there are a few theories that might explain this behavior.
Regurgitating Grass
Dogs with an upset stomach tend to eat grass. The grass can help to induce vomiting. It is believed that many dogs eat grass to relieve the uneasiness in the stomach.
A dog swallows grass without chewing and the special texture of the grass will irritate the stomach lining, and the dog should vomit. However, grass does not necessarily induce vomiting when properly chewed.
Cravings
Even dogs with no health issues eat grass. A possible reason for this is that dogs have cravings and they like the taste of grass. Dogs like to chew on different things such as garbage or even pebbles, so grass seems to be a tasty food. In addition, grass has a nice smell and an appealing texture.
Some dogs simply like to eat more greens. If the diet you provide is poor in greens, your dog might try to compensate by eating grass.
If you notice that your dog eats a lot of grass, try introducing more fibers and greens in his diet. You can opt for green beans or broccoli, either raw or cooked, which you may add to the regular dog food. Fiber supplements are also available in pet stores.
Carnivore, Herbivore or Omnivore?
Dogs are carnivores, which means that their diet is mainly based on meat. However, dogs are highly adaptable and they can eat vegetables and other types of food. Dogs are not picky eaters. You may find your dog eating from the garbage, chewing on papers, dirty napkins or even eating cat food.
Dogs are not herbivores, they don't eat only grass and greens, but they may eat these in addition to their meaty diet.
An omnivore is an animal that eats both meats and greens, so a dog may be considered an omnivore, if he has a varied diet that contains both.
Is Grass Recommended for Dogs?
Grass may help induce vomiting in dogs, so it's a good food when the dog is nauseous. Grass is a good source of fibers and may also help in digestion. However, grass has not been proven to be good or bad for dogs.
Grass is not toxic for dogs. As long as there are no chemicals, herbicides or pesticides on the grass, the dog may eat as much as he pleases.
If your dog has gastrointestinal problems, he shouldn't eat grass, as it may aggravate the condition. In this case, don't allow your dog to eat grass and take him to the vet.