Why Do Dogs Eat Grass?

This dog loves to eat grass. But why?
This dog loves to eat grass. But why?

by Morieka Johnson, Mother Nature Network

No walk around the neighborhood is complete without my dog Lulu eating grass. Even on a full stomach, she likes to hunt for the perfect blades and chew away. Left unattended, I'm sure she could mow down a small lawn. Since lawns today have any number of number of chemicals, I decided to check with an expert about whether her grass-eating habits do more harm than good.

Dr. Jennifer Monroe of Eagles Landing Veterinary Hospital in Georgia explains the most common reasons that dogs eat grass.

It's yummy: Monroe says that it is normal for dogs to chew on the green stuff. Some pooches even develop preferences that range from fresh leaves to drier weeds or even a particular species of grass. What they cannot discern is whether grass has been chemically treated. Use caution when walking on a neighbor's lawn and stick with greener products in your own yard. Monroe recommends nontoxic treatment options, and MNN has more than a few easy, organic lawn care tips.

"You do have to be careful if you have a dog that is a chronic grass eater," she says. "We do have a lot of clients who bring pets in for vomiting and wonder if it's from something the yard was treated with."

Also see: Why do dogs eat their poop?

Nutritional deficiencies: Dogs with certain intestinal diseases don't necessarily digest food properly and have trouble absorbing minerals, which can lead to grazing. Monroe adds that anemia and bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract also cause dogs to eat dirt.

They are trying to induce vomiting: When dogs eat something that doesn't agree with them, they often eat grass to induce vomiting. If eating grass causes your dog to vomit twice a week or more, call your veterinarian because there could be another underlying health issue. She also recommends a visit if there is any doubt that your dog may be ill; better safe than sorry.

Behavioral issues: Dogs can develop obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) regarding the grass. (I suspect that my Lulu falls into this category. She's pretty determined during those lawn-gobbling excursions.) In the majority of cases, Monroe says this is no reason for concern. To correct the behavior, she recommends reducing your dog's grazing time.

Basket muzzles restrict grass guzzling, too. In severe cases, she recommends consulting a certified veterinary behaviorist for advice. Otherwise, let them stop to smell - and chomp - the greenery.

"If not they are not vomiting and not destructive, I say let them enjoy it," Monroe says.

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