Hund frisst gras

My dog eats grass: What's behind it?

Your dog bites the grass, nibbles persistently on the stalks or even eats them? This can have many causes. We explain what might be behind the grass-eating:

That's why your dog eats grass: 4 causes

If your furry friend occasionally eats the grass, this is not always a cause for concern. It only becomes a concern if they regularly swallow large amounts. This can be hidden behind an appetite for grass:

  1. Nutrition: Your dog instinctively senses deficiencies. If the fibre, vitamins and folic acids in the food are not enough to cover his daily needs, he will replenish his nutrient balance by eating grass.
  2. Diseases: Your four-legged friend may be suffering from acute stomach pain, e.g. due to too much stomach acid. However, more serious problems such as parasite infestation, gastritis or chronic diseases of the oesophagus also favour grass-eating.
  3. Well-being: If your dog repeatedly nibbles frantically on blades of grass, but rarely swallows them, there may be psychological problems behind the behaviour. This is how your pet relieves stress and frustration (e.g. due to boredom or stressful changes in life situation).
  4. Foreign bodies: From time to time, foreign bodies get into the throat of your furry nose. A small lint that gets stuck in the dog's throat is usually enough to trigger an unpleasant feeling in your four-legged friend. If your dog eats large amounts of grass, it will regurgitate the foreign body by inducing vomiting.

Our tip: If a dog rarely eats grass and behaves normally, dog owners need not worry about its health. If, on the other hand, the dog seems tired, absent-minded and regularly eats the lush greenery, a visit to the vet is advisable to clarify the cause.

Preventing your dog from eating grass

If your dog eats grass regularly and chronic illnesses have been ruled out, it helps to first find out what could be wrong with your furry friend. To do this, first change the food and make sure that the nutrition is particularly well-balanced. Important ingredients are:

  • Meat: at least 50 %
  • Crude protein: at least 20 %
  • Crude fat: at least 10 %
  • Vitamins: A - E and K

Grains and sugar, on the other hand, should not be included in the food at all or only in very small quantities. You can find more tips in our dog guide under the heading "Dog nutrition".

If its behaviour remains the same despite a nutritious food, observe your four-legged friend in different life and everyday situations. Maybe a baby or a new partner has come into your life, or a second pet is causing a lot of change in the household? Get your dog used to new things and situations slowly and with understanding. This will help you avoid stress and discomfort.

Conclusion: A few blades of grass here and a few grass stalks there are no cause for concern. However, if you can hardly go for a walk without your dog eating grass and you can't make sense of it, it is advisable to get an expert on board, e.g. a dog trainer or vet. Together you can find out the cause and find solutions.

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