Is my vet correct about my dog eating grass?

Question

When we asked him about my dog eating grass all the time he said lots of dogs do it when they are bored and iits just something to do. But, she eats when I take her on walks. How is she bored?

Answer 1

My dogs have only done it when they need to vomit.. Have seen dogs that just eat it because they like it.

Answer 2

dogs eat grass b/c their stomick hurts of foood or somthing tasty to them was their

Answer 3

There’s a lot of debate about why dogs eat grass. Some dogs seem to act like mini lawnmowers, eating grass at every opportunity. Others dogs eat grass only occasionally, subsequently throwing it up.

So do dogs eat grass to throw up? This is a debatable issue. This wisegeek author has observed her dog fling himself at the door to get out to grass and eat a few mouthfuls, usually when his stomach is upset. He also appears to do it when he has something stuck in his throat. The end goal of the dog seems to be to throw up.

There actually appears to be two types of grass eating behavior in dogs. Some dogs take a few nibbles, while others eat quickly, barely chewing the grass. Unchewed grass often translates to near instant vomiting. Dogs that are careful grazers, on the other hand, may not get sick from grass.

The latter case suggests that some dogs eat grass because they enjoy it. Most dogs don’t need it to supplement their diets, but because dog diets are primarily made up of herbivores, that grassy taste may be reminiscent of the cattle or lamb product they had for dinner. Some dogs also enjoy green vegetables like broccoli.

If your dogs eat grass on a regular basis, this could suggest dietary imbalance, though many vets might dismiss it. You may want to consider giving the dogs some green vegetables if they appear to want “something green.” Cooking the vegetables first may make them more digestible, resulting in less vomiting.

It’s also important to be careful when your dogs eat grass regularly. Grass from manicured lawns can contain fertilizers and pesticides, which can be toxic to dogs. Instead of allowing “grazing” behavior on lawns, consider providing some doggy grass at home that is not treated with chemicals. Also, if your dogs eat grass all the time, don’t walk them on lawns that have been recently treated with chemicals. Most of these chemicals will break down in a few days, but during the first day or two after treatment, grass-eating behavior could translate to more than tummy upset.

If your dogs eat grass as a new behavior, and are exhibiting frequent vomiting, it’s also important to check with a vet. A dog that suddenly begins to have a taste for grass may be trying to compensate for gastrointestinal problems. This could signify viral or bacterial infections and might require veterinary treatment. On the other hand, when dogs eat grass only occasionally, you can chalk this up to normal canine behavior. A mouthful of grass or two may mean cleaning up some nasty dog messes, but it is unlikely to signify poor dietary health or illness

Answer 4

Yes. That's how he got that college degree in Veterinary care. By knowing what he's talking about. Dogs eat grass! For many reasons! Vets and Doctors don't just make stuff up!!!

Answer 5

They also eat it to settle their stomachs.  My dog eats it all the time too, it's nothing to be concerned about.

Answer 6

it some how helps your dogs stomach when it's stomach is upset and almost every dog dose it it is not a problem.  

Answer 7

Maybe she IS bored on her walk. Maybe it's not "challenging" enough. Mix it up, try something different, maybe rollerblading?

Anyhow, my dogs eat grass all the time, and hardly EVER throw it up. I think they eat it just because they like it. I agree with the person above who said not to let them eat from other people's yards, there's no telling what kind of chemicals they use on their grass.

Answer 8

My dog eats grass all the time and never throws up.  He just ate a ton of it tonite while we were on our walk. The dog we were walking with ate it too. He likes the taste of it.  I call it his salad.

Answer 9

I am not saying your vet is wrong but mine tells me that when a dog eats grass it means they are having problems with their stomach, they will usually vomit it back up.

Answer 10

i have 2 females and a male. both female eat grass and the male doesn't. don't know why? kinda weird.lol.

Answer 11

i have two dogs and one has a verry sensitive digestive system and gets sick over the lilttlest food. they  are contanly eating grass. My vet says they do it eather becouse it settles thier stomach or its helps them puke to get ride of the bad food they ate.  

Answer 12

Im not 100% sure why dog's eat grass.. I've heard various reasons from boredom, to upset stomache, etc.  I think some dogs just like grass.

You should not let her eat grass from strange yards tho..  you dont know if the yard has been treated with any chemicals or pesticides.

Answer 13

it is natural. I've had dogs my whole life, most do it. Usually, they aren't used to being outside all the time, so it is just something to do. They are predisposed to being outside, but conditione to being inside. Anything that causes slight anxiety will also make them eat grass. As will having an upset stomach (eating grass makes them throw up)

Answer 14

Dogs eat grass to help their stomach and when they eat it they throw up. It may be gross, but it is true!

Answer 15

Some dogs eat it because they enjoy it. Others eat it in order to throw up.