Dogs are carnivores by nature, but they will occasionally consume foliage such as grass and leaves. The reasons why dogs eat grass are largely debated but may be related to upset stomachs and attempts to ingest vital nutrients that may be missing from commercial dog food. Thankfully, the consumption of greens is no cause for concern, although it can be irritating. If you prefer that your dog not ingest grass and leaves, preventing this behavior is not too difficult.
Things You'll Need
- Flat buckle collar
- Leash
- Treats
- Toys
Instructions
Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to have your dog examined. Dogs often eat grass and leaves due to a lack of nutrients in their normal diet. Your vet can take blood and stool samples to make sure your dog is healthy and not suffering from any food-related ailments.
Feed your dog a high-quality dog food. Many low-quality foods are filled with ash and by-products that can upset your dog's digestive system, causing him to eat grass to soothe his stomach. Look for a food that has meat or meat meal in the first few ingredients. A well-balanced food will help eliminate digestive upset.
Teach your dog the "drop" command. This will encourage your dog to spit out whatever he has in his mouth and can be useful if you catch him eating grass. Fit him with a flat buckle collar and leash, and follow him into the yard. When he takes a bite of grass, tell him to drop it and remove the grass from his mouth. Give him a treat as soon as his mouth is free of grass. Repeat this process until he will spit the grass out on his own.
Keep your dog busy. Many dogs graze in the yard because they are bored and unstimulated. Provide your dog with plenty of toys to keep him occupied, and take him on frequent walks.