Why Do Dogs Eat Grass Clippings

Rest assured eating grass usually isn t harmful to your dog s health.

Why do dogs eat grass clippings. Most dogs don t just lie in the grass they roll in it chomp on it sniff out interesting things in it. However this natural dog behavior can lead to both immediate and ongoing canine health. It could be anything from just liking the taste to liking how it settles their stomach. As is the case with so many canine behavior questions it isn t 100 clear why dogs eat grass and there may be multiple reasons.

One reasonable answer is that they like it. My dog vomited her up and didn t eat. They may find out that the taste and texture are pleasant and carry the habit through their lifetime. Puppies like to put everything in their mouths and grass is no exception.

I have a 5 year old chihuahua. Other suggested reasons why your dog might be eating grass include improving digestion treating intestinal worms or fulfilling some unmet nutritional need including the need for fiber. Grass eating can be a sign of gastrointestinal upset. If you notice that your dog has been eating grass give your vet a call to discuss whether you should bring your dog in.

A dog will seek out a natural remedy for a gassy or upset stomach and grass it seems may do the trick. Consistently whenever i clip my toenails the dog lies in wait nearby and dives to snap up the clippings consuming them nearly immediately as they fall from my feet. Sometimes pups just want to eat grass says dr kennedy. In another study researchers found that younger dogs were more likely to eat grass than older dogs which may be because they are more susceptible to intestinal parasites.

There are many possibilities for why your dog likes to eat grass. I gave her kaopectade or pepto bismol and she was fine in a day. So the idea that dogs eat grass because they are missing something in their diet does not stand up to scrutiny. Your dog may also be eating grass simply because they enjoy the taste or texture.

One study found that puppies eat grass more commonly than older dogs indicating that there may be a playful aspect to the blade chomping as well. My dog had the same problem. However make sure you keep your pet away from grass that has been treated by pesticides or chemicals and never let them eat mowed grass clippings. Though grass does contain essential nutrients that a dog might crave anyway there.

I wouldn t worry about it too much i understand being concerned about chemicals and pesticides but considering that you have a large dog and he s only eating the grass when. Studies have been carried out to try and link grass easting with illness vitamin or mineral deficiencies and lack of roughage in the diet none of which found any significant evidence.