Why Does Your Dog Eat Grass

Have you noticed your canine buddy likes to eat grass? This is not an uncommon behavior in dogs, but it can be a bit confusing.

Eating grass is technically considered pica, which is the term for eating things that aren’t food. There’s no one reason that dogs do this. In some cases, it may be because of a nutritional deficiency. Or, Fido may just need more fiber. Dogs also seem to do this out of boredom, or perhaps to soothe an upset stomach.

Eating grass isn’t exactly a medical emergency. However, there are concerns. This does make it easy for pups to pick up certain parasites. Your dog could also get sick if he eats grass that was treated with chemicals, such as fertilizers or pesticides. Poisonous plants are also a hazard. If you can, try not to let your dog treat your yard—or anyone else’s—as a salad bar.

The next time you bring Fido in to your veterinarians Teller County, CO, mention the issue and ask for suggestions.