Why do dogs eat grass?
Most people have a basic understanding of their four-legged friends' behavior. But sometimes, uncertainties arise: Is it okay for my dog to eat grass? What amounts are still within the normal range, and when should I seek medical advice?
Dogs are primarily carnivores, and often have very individual preferences. One four-legged friend prefers chicken, while another prefers beef, and another prefers duck. Sometimes, however, dogs don't say no to fresh grass. This may seem unusual to some dog owners at first glance.
Wolves, the ancestors of humans, are known to consume some plant-based foods. This is provided by the stomach contents of prey as well as by the consumption of grasses, roots, or fruits. Some researchers are therefore no longer considering wolves and dogs solely as carnivores, but rather as omnivores or a mix of the two.
Dogs eat grass for different reasons.
If your four-legged friend eats some grass every now and then, there's no need to worry. On the contrary, eating grass is a completely normal process and part of a dog's natural behavior. Dogs eat grass for a variety of reasons. Generally speaking, young blades of grass are a healthy snack for dogs. Dogs especially like sweet grass – the fiber and folic acid it contains stimulate digestion. Even when thirsty, four-legged friends will occasionally turn to the lush green grass if no other water source is available.
The situation is different if a dog appears to have mutated from a carnivore to a herbivore. "If a dog eats a lot of grass or even demands to be allowed into the garden specifically for this purpose, then it should definitely be investigated. This could be an organic issue, such as swallowing a foreign object, or a psychological cause.
It's well known that many dogs eat large amounts of grass when they suffer from digestive problems or have eaten something bad. By consuming more grass, these four-legged friends instinctively try to vomit, thereby ridding themselves of harmful food components. It works just like in cats: The grass wraps itself around the object in their stomach, making it easier to regurgitate.
Beware of pesticides and sharp grasses.
However, it becomes dangerous when the grass is contaminated with pesticides, insecticides, and herbicides—for example, on the edges of intensively used agricultural land. Dog owners should therefore always keep an eye on their animals and check their feeding areas if their four-legged friends tend to eat grass.
Another source of danger is particularly sharp-edged grass. Depending on the type of grass, there is a serious risk of cuts in the gastrointestinal tract, as the sharp edges of the grass can cause injuries. If the dog produces bloody stools or spits up blood, a veterinarian should be consulted immediately. A veterinarian can examine the dog to determine what it has ingested, whether the problem can be resolved on its own, or whether further treatment is necessary. It's best for dog owners to photograph the amount of blood before traveling to the practice so the vet can better assess the situation immediately.