Why do dogs eat grass?
Your dog is a descendent of the mighty wolf, a noble hunter
and confirmed carnivore. You feed him meals of the best
possible quality, so why does he insist on eating grass?
While no-one is entirely sure why dogs eat grass, pet
intuitionalists are fairly certain it's just normal canine
behaviour and certainly nothing to worry about.
Grazing
There are two main types of canine grass eating. The first
is simple grazing where your dog happily munches on grass and
suffers no ill effects.
Some vets suggest dogs eat grass to make up for a
nutritional deficiency but even dogs that eat well balanced
diets will eat grass. It's possible that they simply like the
taste. It's like salad to them. So even if you're feeding your
dog well, he might still fancy some greens!
Instinctive behaviour
The other type of grass eating is when a dog eats some grass
and throws it up. This is thought to be a deliberate
instinctive attempt to induce vomiting after they've swallowed
something that makes them feel ill.
Dogs that eat to make themselves vomit usually swallow grass
as quickly as possible, barely even chewing it. It is believed
that the long, unchewed pieces of grass tickle their throats to
bring on the vomiting reaction.
If your dog eats grass then vomits and seems fine, he's
probably taken care of whatever was bothering him. If he keeps
retching and is unable to throw up or keeps eating grass and
carries on vomiting, you should take him to see the vet.
Safe to eat?
With all grass-eating behaviour, keep a careful eye on the
sort of grass your dog is consuming. Don't let him eat anything
that has been treated with pesticides or fertilisers. Most
lawn-care products will indicate whether or not they're safe
for pets.