Why Does My Dog Eat Grass? 3 Reasons Why.
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Have you ever wondered why your dog goes outside and eats grass every day like its a gourmet treat? While it may seem like a strange habit and a bit destructive to your garden, it could actually be an indication of your pup's stomach health. In this post, I will explain when you can ignore this "quirk" of grass-eating and when it might be time to change their diet.
Your dog is just a puppy!
Puppies often explore their surroundings by tasting and chewing on things. Generally, it’s harmless for puppies to eat grass and usually doesn’t indicate any underlying health issues. However, it's important to be vigilant about potential dangers in your yard, such as animal droppings from rodents or birds, which your puppy might ingest. Consuming small animal droppings can lead to parasites, so monitoring your puppy while they’re outside is essential, and ensuring you give your puppies and even older dogs routine preventative dewormers
Your dog is bored.
Have you been busy at work this past week and only been able to take your dog out for potty breaks? If so, your dog is probably feeling bored! It's common to get caught up in our schedules and forget to set aside time for play, which can lead to destructive behaviors, like tearing up the yard or eating grass.
If your dog is damaging your well-manicured lawn or garden, consider using pet block sprays to keep them away from areas you want to protect. Additionally, make sure to provide your dog with enrichment toys at specific times, such as after addressing their grass-eating behavior. Avoid leaving all the toys out for them 24/7, as this can lead to boredom and the toys losing their novelty. Additionally, the toys may end up destroyed. Instead, bring out toys as rewards to encourage their use rather than allowing them to chew on grass.
Your dog is lacking in fiber/diet deficiency.
It’s been suggested that dogs eat grass to increase the bulk of their stool when their diet lacks sufficient fiber, which can help with regular bowel movements (insoluble fiber). Eating grass may also provide additional fiber to support their gut microbiome and improve nutrient absorption (soluble fiber).
If your dog is consistently eating grass every day and isn’t a puppy, it might be a good idea to consider adding more fiber to their diet to improve their gut microbiome. Natural sources of fiber, such as apples, pumpkin, and brown rice, can be great as treats or as additions to their daily meals. However, keep in mind that increasing fiber may lead to more frequent bowel movements, and each dog's body may react differently to the added fiber.
Soluble fiber is beneficial in dog treats as it provides nourishment to the colonocytes in the gut, essentially serving as food for both your cells and beneficial gut bacteria. The primary fuel is Butyrate, which promotes the development of healthy cells that enhance digestion and the absorption of food and nutrients. This process helps reduce the risk of irritable bowel syndrome and nutritional deficiencies.
Insoluble fiber is beneficial in dog food because it adds bulk to the stool. This aids in passing the stool and helps maintain regular bowel movements, particularly for dogs that have stool issues or gastrointestinal problems.
When looking at a food’s fiber content, always look for ‘total dietary fiber’, which measures the percent of both soluble and insoluble fibers in a diet, unlike crude fiber, which typically only takes into account the insoluble fibers.
I’d love to share some of my favorite fiber-rich foods and supplements that many of my customers have had great success with! Here’s a handy list for you:
Blue Buffalo: True Solutions
I've always thought Blue Buffalo Blissful Belly is a pretty decent kibble brand, especially for pets dealing with stomach and skin issues. It's really loved by many of our customers at the store, and I've heard countless stories about how it’s the only kibble that has truly helped their dogs. It's great to see such positive results! I’ll go over some of the pros and cons of this kibble brand because, although it may help some pets, it’s not free from flaws.
Pros:
Chicken is the first ingredient, meaning around 80% of the kibble is what it claims to be, not filler.
Doesn’t contain fillers like corn, wheat, or soy. Helpful for pets with food sensitivities and allergies
Full of prebiotics to strengthen the microbiome, such as beet pulp, tomato pomace, alfalfa concentrate, and more.
Cons:
Contains Canola Oil, not a great additive. Contains Omega-6s, which are beneficial but can be inflammatory if not animal-based.
Contains Natural Flavors, which are proprietary. Meaning they don’t have to disclose what they are and can hide low-quality ingredients.
Some owners complained about the fact that it gave their dogs gas or runny stools.
Check Out Blue Buffalo! Click the picture to get yours.
Native Pet Pumpkin Powder
Native Pet is one of my all-time favorite brands for supplements! When I first used their Omega oil for my dog Charlie, I realized they meant business with their quality. It took only a week for their oil to fix Charlie’s skin from hot and bothered to shiny and dander-free! That’s one reason why I chose the Native Pet once again, but this time for digestive supplements.
With only 3 ingredients being pumpkin, pumpkin seed, and apple, which are all great sources of fiber. You can have peace of mind that there aren’t any garbage fillers thrown in to add to any possible allergies.
Additionally, because it’s powder, it may help with picky eaters who may not prefer canned wet pumpkin; you can mix the powder with their existing food for easier consumption. Powder Pumpkin will also last much longer on the shelf than anything wet.
Check Out Native Pet! Click the picture to get yours.
Wellness CORE Digestive Health
Wellness CORE is typically at the top of my list when recommending a kibble brand for your dog. While it includes a couple of ingredients that aren't my favorites, I believe that overall, it’s a great option with quality ingredients.
Pros:
Chicken and turkey are the first two ingredients, indicating that approximately 80% of the kibble is meat-based, which signifies a high-quality food.
Includes whole grains like barley and brown rice, great for feeding the gut microbiome, improving digestion, and providing another source of energy.
Each pound of kibble is coated in 100 million CFUs of microorganisms to support gut function.
Non-GMO ingredients
Cons:
It could be considered expensive. To fix this issue, I would use a calculator to identify how much you’re paying per cup. You may find out it’s actually cheaper even though the bag itself is more expensive! (Psst, here’s a secret to help you find cost per cup! Cost per cup = Total price of bag ÷ (Bag weight in pounds × 4)
Owners claimed it gave their dogs diarrhea and gas.
Contains natural flavors, which could be anything!
Click the picture to try out Wellness CORE!
When choosing a food with extra fiber, I would consult your vet if you aren’t sure if a specific nutrient needs to be restricted in a way that OTC (Over the Counter) foods cannot match. In that case, a prescription diet may be recommended by a vet. Fiber may also have varying results. Some dogs may have to go to the bathroom more often when on extra fiber!
Conclusion.
While not all grass-eating is indicative of dietary issues—some dogs simply enjoy the taste of grass—it may be worth considering your dog's diet. You might want to evaluate whether they need additional fiber or nutrients. Be sure to check the ingredient panel on your dog’s food, or consult a veterinarian if you're uncertain about where to start!
