Why Would a Dog Start Eating Grass?

It is common for dogs to eat grass. Your dog may engage in this behavior because she has an upset stomach. Many dogs can eat grass, digest it and pass it, without any vomiting. If this is the case, your dog may have a vitamin deficiency. You should not worry unless your dog eats grass more than once a week or if the grass has been treated with pesticides or fertilizers.

  1. Upset Tummies

    • The grass settles your dog's stomach ailments.

      The grass-eating habit relates to your dog's gallbladder. When a dog eats his meal, the gallbladder releases bile into the stomach to help digest the food. However, if your dog has not eaten in a while, the bile builds up in the stomach and causes him to feel nauseous. Your dog will then eat grass, which makes him vomit and relieves the nauseous feeling.

    What You Can Do

    • Smaller, more frequent meals may eliminate your dog's need to eat grass.

      This is normal behavior for dogs. However, it's usually more pleasant to prevent the problem than clean up the yellow goo and risk a stained carpet. There are a few things you can do to help your dog. Try feeding her smaller, more frequent meals; this will limit the build-up of bile in her empty stomach and the nauseous feelings that accompany it. Also, you might give her a treat before bedtime so her stomach does not have that long stretch of time without food. If this does not seem to help, you should speak to your veterinarian about a dog food with a higher fiber content. Fiber takes longer to break down and stays in the stomach longer, keeping your dog fuller longer. Keep in mind, you do not want to switch brands "cold turkey," because this can nausea or diarrhea. Mix the old food with the new food, gradually putting in less of the old food and more of the new (over the course of a week or so); this method helps your dog's digestive system adjust easily.

    If Your Dog Continues to Eat Grass

    • Your dog may have an underlying medical issue.

      Your dog should not eat grass more than once a week. If his grass eating becomes more frequent, you should visit your veterinarian. Your dog may have an underlying medical condition that causes the excess stomach acid and resulting nausea. Your veterinarian may prescribe antacids to help ease your dog's symptoms.

    Missing Nutrients

    • Your dog may eat grass because of a vitamin deficiency.

      Sometimes dogs eat grass because important nutrients are absent in their diet. You could add a source of vegetables to their meal, giving them a few baby carrots as a treat (depending on the size of your dog), or you can give them a daily vitamin supplement. Dog vitamins are available over the counter at pet stores or health food stores that carry pet products. You should seek advice from your veterinarian first. She can tell you what nutrients your dog needs and recommend the best vitamin supplements for your dog's special needs.

    If Your Dog Must Eat Grass

    • Don't let your dog eat tough grass or grass treated with fertilizers or pesticides.

      There is nothing wrong with allowing your dog to eat grass, but there are few things to remember. First, you want to make sure that the grass he eats has not been treated with fertilizers or pesticides; these can make him very sick. If you are not sure, don't let him eat it; it's not worth the risk. Second, make sure your dog eats the softer grasses. Some grasses are hard and thick with little barbs. If your dog ingests these tough grasses, they can cut his esophagus, resulting in a little blood in the vomit. This will not damage your dog's health, but it's best to avoid the tougher grasses. Finally, if your dog eats grass, try to keep him outside until he has vomited, saving yourself the hassle of a clean up inside.