As far as your dog eating grass and vomiting is concerned, you're not alone.
The term "pica" refers to a disorder characterised by eating things that aren't food. It is thought that pica sometimes indicates a nutritional deficiency in dogs, but it can also indicate boredom, especially in puppies and younger dogs.
It's quite common for dogs to eat grass (it's also observed in wild dogs) and this form of pica is not typically problematic. And according to most veterinarians, this is a normal behaviour for dogs.
So Why Is My Dog Eating Grass?
The reason why your dog is grazing on your lawn can be attributed to a number of factors.
Dogs might eat grass to make themselves vomit when they don't feel well as a way to get better. According to others, dogs are not smart enough to decide to eat grass to treat an upset stomach.
In general, dogs that eat grass are not sick beforehand, or at least it doesn't seem that way. In fact, owners report that fewer than 10% of dogs are sick before eating grass. In addition, grass-eating doesn't usually lead to vomiting; less than 25% of dogs that eat grass vomit regularly after eating grass.
Other suggested reasons why your dog might be eating grass include:
- To help improve their digestion
- Treat intestinal worms
- Fulfilling some unmet nutritional need, including the need for fibre
- Your dog is bored. Yep, you heard it correctly…B.O.R.E.D
- Your dog simply likes the way grass tastes and feels!
Should I Stop My Dog From Eating Grass? If So, How?
Dogs who eat grass out of boredom may need more exercise, so make sure they get enough. Play some fun games with them. Getting them to play with a frisbee or any another interactive game, is a good idea. Additionally, you can buy them a chew toy to keep them occupied. Check out our range of dogs toys here.
Changing to a high-fiber dog food, especially on the chance that your dog's pica behaviour is caused by nutritional deficiencies, could alleviate the problem. Check out our premium range of dog food here.
The vast majority of veterinarians agree that grazing on grass isn't harmful, but certain herbicides and pesticides used on lawns can be quite toxic, especially if consumed. For more advice on weed sprays and how safe they are to use if you have pets, click here to check out the article from the Animal and Posions Centre.
Furthermore, several common houseplants are toxic, which could cause problems if your dog eats them alongside your lawn. To make sure the plants in and around the area where your dog is eating grass aren’t dangerous, check out the RSPCA Queensland’s ‘Dangerous Plants’ article which contains a guide to toxic plants.
