Why do dogs eat grass?

‍Why does my dog eat grass? Many dog owners wonder about this behaviour. How is this phenomenon explained? Is it normal for a dog to eat grass? When should you worry? We take stock in the article of the week

My dog is eating grass. Is this normal?

We will reassure you right away, it is quite normal for your dog to eat grass. In fact, all dogs eat grass, sometimes even without you noticing.

While there is no precise explanation as to why a dog eats grass, several hypotheses co-exist.

Do dogs eat grass to make themselves vomit?

Sometimes a dog will eat grass to make itself vomit. Your four-legged companion is not endowed with speech, so sometimes it is difficult for it to be understood. Grass swallowed (or rather gobbled) quickly and without chewing would cause a vomiting reflex in the dog which would allow it to eliminate the food or the source of the discomfort.

If your dog is feeling quite well after vomiting, don’t worry – it was probably just a little something that it was having a hard time digesting. If, on the other hand, you find it surprisingly calm, listless, or weakened, your best bet is to contact your vet.

A lack of nutrients

Some sources point to a lack of nutrients in the diet.

In reality, if the dog suffers from nutrient deficiencies, it will tend to eat wood, dirt, lick the ground, etc.

Be careful, deficiencies are never to be taken lightly. To prevent them, choose a healthy diet adapted to your dog’s needs and remember the annual check-up at your veterinarian – your furry friend will thank you!

Is grass a natural anti-parasitic for the dog?

The truth is that dogs do not digest grass very well (after all, they are not cows). However, nature is well made and dogs often know what is good for them. In the case of grass, the amount of undigested fibres (and therefore evacuated through droppings) would allow the dog to expel parasites present in the digestive system of your furry friend.

Some dogs simply like grass

It might seem weird to you that your dog wants to add a little greenery to its meals (especially when it comes to delicious home-cooked meals like Dog Chef, but some dogs just like to eat grass.

And as we all know, most dogs tend to overdo everything (oops). Even if you feel like your dog spends all its free time eating the grass in your garden, that doesn’t make it a vegetarian. It is therefore essential to continue to give it a diet rich in protein.

Feeling lost about how much food or protein your dog needs? Take the test and calculate the daily amounts needed for your furry friend.

In conclusion

All dogs eat grass, so don’t panic. Dogs eat grass because they need to make themselves vomit, because they like it, or because they feel the need to.  However, if this behaviour worries you, never be afraid to make an appointment with your veterinarian to explain the source of your fears. He will be happy to inform you and reassure you!

The Dog Chef team wishes your furry friend bon appetit 🙂

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