Have you ever wondered why you catch your dog’s eating grass? Most dogs
eat it as and when they please, but others munch it down when the need to
arises. Do you wonder if it means something might be wrong, or could it be
one of those random dogs behaviours? Your dog may just simply do it
because they are bored, but there are also some health-related reasons for
eating grass you may want to know about.

Dogs eat grass from time to time but why do they? Sometimes, dogs who eat
grass may be trying to relieve digestive tummy upset.
They may also be seeking certain nutrients or plant compounds that offer
health benefits. If your dog regularly eats large amounts of grass, make an appointment with your veterinarian, and consider upgrading their diet to help provide all the nourishment his or her body needs

1. To balance the microbiome — Many types of grass contain
   beneficial prebiotic fiber that may help keep your dog’s intestinal
   flora balanced and resilient.
2. To relieve gastrointestinal (GI) upset — Many dogs with an
   upset tummy consume certain types of grass because they
   instinctively know it will make them throw up. There seems to be
   something about the texture of some types of grass that triggers
   vomiting or a bowel movement in many dogs, which relieves
   their discomfort.If this is the situation with your dog, he’ll probably seem almost
   frantic to get outside to start gobbling up the nearest patch of
   grass. The intensity of grass consumption for the purpose of
   vomiting is usually strong and the grass chosen appears to be
   less important. If the “cure” works, at some point he’ll quit
   chewing, lick his lips (a sign of nausea in dogs), and throw up.

   This is normal behavior for canines (who are, by design,
   scavenging carnivores and indiscriminate eaters) and nothing to
   be concerned about unless it happens more than once or twice a
   year. It’s nature’s way of helping dogs get rid of toxins from their
   bodies and bring their GI tracts back into balance.

   Dogs who ingest grass to throw up are usually not selective
   about what grass they consume; they just want to induce
   vomiting and feel better. However, many healthy dogs with
   healthy guts will seek out specific grasses and are quite selective
   about what species they’re looking for.

3. To eliminate intestinal parasites — Chimpanzees consume
   plant material to increase intestinal motility to rid their bodies of
   intestinal parasites. It’s possible dogs eat grass for a similar
   reason.
4. To fulfill specific nutrient requirements — In a 2008 study,
   researchers found that grass eating in domestic dogs is a normal
   tendency. This might be an inherited behavior, since wild

   canines eat entire prey animals, including the entrails (guts),
   which typically contain digested plant matter.

   It’s possible the grasses your dog likes to munch contain
   nutrients her body lacks. Grass is an abundant source of fiber.
   As a living green food, it contains phytonutrients, is high in
   potassium and chlorophyll, and is also a pretty good source of
   digestive enzymes. Your dog could be seeking out selective
   grasses to make up one or more deficient nutrients or to gain
   bioactive substances she’s not currently getting in her diet.