If you have ever had the pleasure to walk a dog then you may have noticed they may be partial to a nibble on some grass at some point. Why do they do this? Is it harmful and is there anything I can do to stop it happening?
Let’s look at some reasons why it might be happening… It can be a little worrying when you’re out and you catch your furry friends eating a big bunch of grass. Usually this is nothing to be concerned about but the question we all have is ‘why do they do it in the first place?’
And the answer as to why they do it….
Well there really isn’t one. Well no concrete answer. There has not been a lot of research done on this so that’s why there is not a specific answer, but the little research they have done into it has found that it’s quite common and generally nothing to be worried about.
Here are a few reasons why your dog could be eating grass:
– It Tastes Good
– It comes naturally to them
– Boredom
– Exploration
– Attention
In saying that, if your dog is eating a lot of grass or this is also paired with any of the below, then you should contact your vet to make sure something else isn’t going on – to be safe.
– eating other non-food items
– not eating their regular meals
– vomiting
– a change in their bathroom habits ie constipation or diarrhea
When your dog eats grass it has been commonly thought that they may be trying to get stick, as they may have an upset stomach. Although there is no proof that eating grass will cause vomiting, if this does happen you should contact your vet as referenced above.
Should you stop your dog eating grass and if so how?
So I think we’ve established that your dog eating grass isn’t necessarily a bad thing. While eating grass isn’t in itself harmful for your furry pal, it can have other things on it that could be a risk; like slugs & snails which can cause lungworm as well as other parasites or man-made pesticides.
If you decide to try and stop your dog from eating grass, please do so responsibility and positively. Do not shout at them or tell them off as this will just cause them fear and upset.
As with any behaviour concern you should consult a professional dog trainer or behaviourist. Below are some tips that can help stopping your pooch from eating grass.
– mental stimulation & physical exercise – make sure your dog receives enough
– engaging, exciting walks
– praise and reward for good behaviour
– practice your ‘recall & leave it’ training
In the end….
I think we’ve seen that eating grass is not the worst thing in the world for your dog to be doing. It might not be something you want them to continue with but if they do it shouldn’t be a concern overall unless it is out of the norm or accompanied by other symptoms.
