How to stop dogs from eating grass

The question may be simple, but the answer is not.

Is eating grass a physical need?

One common assumption is that dogs eat grass to relieve upset stomachs. Some dogs consume grass with urgency, then vomit shortly afterwards. Here is the chicken vs. egg dilemma: Does a dog eat grass to vomit and soothe an ailing stomach or does he develop a stomachache and vomit because he ate grass? Since studies show that less than 25% of dogs vomit after eating grass, it is unlikely that they turn to the green stuff as a form of self-medication. In fact, only 10% of dogs show signs of illness prior to eating grass. The bottom line is that the majority of grass-eating dogs are not sick beforehand and do not vomit afterwards.

"The bottom line is that the majority of grass-eating dogs are not sick
beforehand and do not vomit afterwards."

However, there may be another digestive need filled by grazing. Dogs need roughage in their diets and grass is a good source of fiber. A lack of roughage affects the dog’s ability to digest food and pass stool, so grass may actually help their bodily functions run more smoothly.

Caution: If your turf-munching dog shows signs of stomach discomfort, he may have a medical problem such as gastric reflux, inflammatory bowel disease, or pancreatitis. See your veterinarian to rule out serious medical conditions and receive appropriate treatment.

Is eating grass a psychological need?

A dog’s day focuses on his owners’ activities, watching them leave and anxiously awaiting their return. Although most dogs enjoy being outside, some get bored when alone and need to do something to pass the time. Nibbling grass that is readily available helps fill the hours.

Dogs crave human interaction and may try to get their owners’ attention through inappropriate actions like eating grass if they feel neglected. In addition, anxious dogs eat grass as a comfort mechanism much like nervous people chew their finger nails. Whether dogs are bored, lonely, or anxious, it is often noted that the grass eating increases as owner contact time decreases.

What can owners do for these grazing dogs? For anxious dogs, a new toy or an old t-shirt with his owner's familiar scent may provide a modicum of comfort. A food-containing puzzle toy that challenges the dog will provide mental stimulation and relieve boredom. More active dogs benefit from more frequent walks and strenuous play time. For dogs that crave socialization with other canines, doggie day care may be a good option.

Is eating grass instinct?

Your dog’s ancestors did not eat kibble packaged in sealed bags. Dogs in the wild balanced their diets by eating what they hunted—all of what they hunted including meat, bones, internal organs, and stomach contents of their prey. Eating an entire animal provided a fairly balanced diet, especially when the prey’s stomach contained grass and plants that fulfilled the dog’s need for fiber.

Dogs are not true carnivores (strictly meat eaters), but they are not exactly omnivores (meat and plant eaters) either; dogs in the wild consume anything that helps fulfill their basic dietary requirements. Examining stool samples shows that 11-47% of wolves eat grass. Modern dogs do not have to hunt for their food, but that does not mean that they have lost the natural instinct to scavenge. Some dogs, even those that love their commercial dog food, will eat grass as a reflection of their ancestry and the need to be scavengers.

For these dogs, eating grass is a behavior problem that really may not be a problem at all. You need not worry if the occasional grazing session does not make your dog sick and consistent parasite prevention is provided (intestinal parasites may also be consumed with grass). In fact, behavior modification may interfere with natural instincts and do more harm than good.

Do they like grass?

Despite the numerous well thought-out explanations for why dogs eat grass, we cannot overlook the simplest explanation of all, that just like it. Dogs may simply enjoy the texture and taste of grass in their mouths. In fact, many dogs are grass connoisseurs that prefer to eat grass in the spring when it is newly emerging.

How do I stop my dog from eating grass?

Regardless of why your dog eats grass, it is not the best snack for him. While the grass itself may not be harmful, the herbicides and pesticides sprayed on it can be toxic for your dog. Also, when plucking the grass from the ground, your dog may ingest intestinal parasites such as hookworms or roundworms that contaminate the grass in fecal residue from other dogs. So, how do you stop the grazing?

"Also, when plucking the grass from the ground, your dog may ingest intestinal parasites such as hookworms or roundworms that contaminate the grass in fecal residue from other dogs."

Dogs that respond to food treats may be trained to stop the grass eating in exchange for a better option. That means you need to bring treats along when you take your dog for a walk and accompany him on potty breaks. Any time the dog leans down to nibble grass, distract him by directing him to walk in another direction or offer a verbal correction and offer a treat when he complies.

Dogs that are driven by affection can be trained using the same method as above by simply substituting positive verbal reinforcement and petting as rewards. Dogs that respond to verbal commands may require a simple “heel” command to interrupt the grassy snack and re-direct their attention.

Here’s what to know about why your dog eats grass, whether or not it’s safe, and what you can do to change his behavior.

Search for "Why do dogs eat grass?" on Google and you'll get nearly 90 million results—which suggests that many pet parents have seen their dogs exhibiting this behavior. And some of them have likely seen their dogs eating grass and then vomiting (we'll get to that later). In other words, if your pet does this, you are not alone. Your grass-eating dog is among friends because this canine practice is actually pretty common.

Keep reading to learn about the everyday reasons dogs eat grass, the possible health-related reasons why they do it, and what you can do to stop the grass-eating behavior.

Common Reasons Why Dogs Eat Grass

They Like the Taste. Yep, dogs think grass is tasty—especially when it's young, green, and tender. They may also enjoy the texture, which is delightfully different from the dry kibble or canned food they usually find in their bowls. So even though your dog gets the recommended amount of commercial or homemade food every day (plus treats!), he is biologically programmed to scavenge for food. And when he's out in the yard or walking with you around the neighborhood, millions of fragrant blades of grass beckon.

They're Bored. In some cases, a dog out in the backyard eats grass just to pass the time—especially if the squirrels aren't taunting him and his human is inside the house or at work. Or, he knows that eating grass will result in attention from his owner. Either way, Fido needs something to keep him busy, and snacking does the trick. Relatable, right?

It Might Fill a Nutritional Need. Veterinarians, scientists, and research librarians will tell you the act of eating odd, non-food items is technically known as pica—which may indicate nutritional deficiencies such as vitamins, minerals, and fiber or chlorophyll (both of which aid in digestion). Some experts (such as the vets at VCA Hospitals) support the theory that because grass is a good source of fiber, eating it helps a dog's bodily functions run smoothly. But here's the thing. There's no solid scientific evidence to prove this theory right or wrong, according to Psychology Today.

If the grass-eating has you worried about your dog's diet, though, consult with your vet about the most nutritious kind of dog food to feed your best pal.

It Could Help An Upset Stomach. Many experts believe that dogs sometimes eat grass to induce vomiting—which, in turn, relieves their upset stomachs. It's an evolutionary thing, says Marty Becker, DVM, on his blog; ancient wild dogs felt nauseous, which triggered an instinct to eat grass, which irritated their stomach linings, which led to the grass and the offending dietary choice to be heaved up. Therefore, contemporary dogs come with the instinct to self-medicate with grass.

There's no solid scientific evidence to prove this theory one way or the other, however. Does a dog eat grass because he has an upset stomach and wants to vomit? Or does he develop an upset stomach after eating the grass? It's a mystery.

Still, Deb Eldredge, DVM, who breeds Belgian Tervurens in New York, has found that her own dogs eat grass if they're stressed and/or have upset stomachs. "They eat new spring grass like it's salad," she says. "But when they go for larger, wider, taller blades of grass, I know it's because they're going to vomit."

If your dog is constantly eating grass and throwing up, something's not right.

Chances are you landed on this article because you've seen your dog frantically eating grass and maybe even vomiting yellow bile or something equally gross. If so, take this approach. If your dog eats grass and vomits, but then seems fine, he's probably is fine and just doing what dogs do. (After all, this species also eats poop, chews on couch cushions, and rolls in dead animals.) But if he keeps on eating grass and vomiting, you should consult your vet—which is what you should do anytime you're seeing abnormal behavior in your dog.

"If your dog is constantly eating grass and throwing up, something's not right," Eldredge explains. "If I were examining this dog, I'd want to get a really thorough history. Is your dog eating at all? Is he eating different food or different treats? Is he on medication that's upsetting his stomach? What is your dog throwing up? Is it bile and grass? Or just food? Does your dog have diarrhea? All of these things are important to find out."

Depending on the dog's history, Eldredge says she may take X-rays and do a blood chemistry panel to rule out liver and kidney problems. "The most common cause for a dog's nausea is a foreign body in the stomach," she notes. "Stomach ulcers and stomach cancer are less common causes."

If you have a teething puppy, he should be closely monitored, according to the American Kennel Club. He may be eating a lot of grass (as well as leaves and sticks) that could lead to a blockage.

Should You Stop Your Dog from Eating Grass? 

The short answer is "yes." Even if your dog is eating grass just because he loves the flavor, it's not guaranteed to be good for him. While fresh, green grass may be tender and tasty, but unless it's your own lawn, you don't know if the blades have been sprayed with toxic chemicals that could make your pet sick. Nor can you tell if your dog is eating grass contaminated with intestinal parasites (such as hookworms) that come from droppings left behind by other dogs. Yuck!

Also, keep in mind that many house and garden plants are toxic to dogs, especially if eaten. Check out the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center for more info.

How Can You Stop Your Dog from Eating Grass?

Revise your dog's diet. If your pooch seems to be eating grass for its flavor and texture, try planting a low, wide container of edible, organic grass just for him; this may keep him satisfied and away from the landscaping. (You can find grass seeds at pet stores.) 

Train your dog to ignore grass. If he keeps pulling you off the sidewalk to dine on grass, distract him when he's grazing by gently leading him in another direction. Or, try bringing high-value treats along when you take him on a walk. If he veers off course to nibble grass, give him a verbal cue such as "Sit" or "Drop" and reward him with a tasty treat when he complies. 

Also, keep your dog busy. Make sure he's able to entertain himself while he's alone outside. Give him a rugged chew toy to occupy his mind and his jaws. And exercise his body by investing in toys that don't need a pet-parent involved, such as an interactive dog toy that dispenses treats or an electronic ball launcher.

Remember: It's not the grass itself that's bad for your dog, but the potential contamination from lawn chemicals and intestinal parasites. When your pup is distracted and away from temptation, and you'll both be the better for it.