Why Do Dogs Eat Grass?
Why do dogs eat grass? It might not have anything to do with feeling sick.
Dogs will eat anything. They will eat from the garbage. They will eat from the litter box. They will eat from their own backyard.
They aren’t picky when it comes to their food, but you might still have the question, why do dogs eat grass?
Is it dangerous for dogs to eat grass?
Technically, it is not dangerous for a dog to eat grass. It’s actually pretty common. Chances are that nothing bad will happen to your dog if you catch them eating a small amount of grass.
However, you should not encourage the behavior. On the contrary, there are reasons to stop your dog from swallowing whatever they find in the backyard.
Most lawns are treated with harmful herbicides and pesticides that you don’t want in your dog’s system. Most of these chemicals come with labels, warning you to keep pets away from the area. Your dog could get severely sick (or even die) if exposed to the wrong fertilizer.
There might also be poisonous plants in the yard that could cause your pet to become sick. If you aren’t sure whether the berries and shrubs in your backyard are safe, do your research for the sake of your dog’s health.
Why do dogs eat grass?
No one is sure why dogs eat grass, but there are some good theories.
Most people believe that dogs eat grass when they have an upset or gassy stomach. Instead of chewing the grass slowly, the will gulp it down. The blades will tickle their throat and stomach lining and it will help them throw up, so they will end up feeling better.
However, most dogs never end up vomiting after they eat grass, and studies show that the dogs who eat grass are not always sick in the first place. That means there is another reason they are eating grass that has nothing to do with illness.
They might be trying to improve their digestion by eating grass. It gives them some roughage. It makes up for a lack of fiber in their diet.
Even if your dog hasn’t been having any stomachaches or problems going to the bathroom, they still might be eating grass, because they are hungry, because they like the way it tastes, or because they are bored and don’t know what else to do with their time.
How can I prevent my dog from eating grass?
If you are worried about your dog eating grass, then there are a few things you can do to stop them.
Your dog might be eating grass out of boredom. If that seems like the case, then make sure you give them enough exercise. Take them for a walk around the block every morning. Throw a frisbee. Play ball. Give them enough time and space to run around so they do not become restless.
Since a nutritional deficiency could be causing your dog to eat grass, you should also switch their food. Try giving them a high fiber diet and see if the problem goes away. You could start by adding cooked vegetables natural herbs to their meals.
If your dog continues to eat grass after you make these changes, or if you are worried your dog swallowed something harmful, make sure you visit a vet to get them checked out. 
