Q & A: Grass Eating

By Dr. Kim Everson, DVM

 

Question: Why does my dog eat grass? Sometimes he throws up afterward. Is the grass making him sick?

 

Answer: Ah, the age old question about grass eating dogs. The short answer is sometimes dogs eat grass because they have indigestion and sometimes they eat grass because they enjoy an occasional “salad.”

The technical term for eating non-food items is pica. Just as pregnant women with nutritional deficiencies have been known to eat soap and soil to acquire missing nutrients, dogs and cats may eat things that are not considered acceptable food for medical reasons. For example, gobbling soil may indicate iron deficiency in an anemic pet. (But it might also indicate someone spilled delicious-smelling grease from the BBQ grill in that spot!)

Some dogs and cats start eating non-food items like toys, rocks and miscellaneous objects in an attempt to satisfy a belly ache. Have you ever found yourself nibbling your way through the refrigerator and pantry, searching for the perfect snack that might satisfy a dull hollow ache in your belly? I’ve met dogs and cats with severe gastrointestinal illness who have devoured socks, rugs and stuffed animals in what I suspect is an attempt to soothe a gut ache. Some of these pets may also gorge on grass to the point of vomiting.

However, eating grass can be a perfectly normal dietary habit for dogs and cats, especially in the spring and early summer months when the grass shoots are fresh and tender.

Good intestinal parasite protection and caution with yard pesticide application is essential regardless of why your pet is eating grass. Certain types of parasite larvae hang onto grass blades and might infect your pet when ingested. Annual fecal testing and heartworm prevention can reduce the likelihood your pet will have a problem with parasites that can be picked up from the yard, dog-parks, daycare, etc. If pesticides and fertilizers cannot be avoided on your lawn, make sure you follow label directions carefully regarding application and avoidance of treated areas.

If—in addition to eating grass—your pet has a change of appetite, drooling, vomiting or soft stools, you should contact your veterinarian. A complete physical examination and laboratory work may be needed to evaluate your pet for underlying medical conditions. But if your otherwise fit and happy pet chomps grass once in a while, you can relax and enjoy the free lawn service!

 

Originally printed in Pet Journal, August 2013