Why Do Dogs Eat Grass?
It's Not Just for Cows

You look outside and there's your beloved dog. Munching away. So, why do dogs eat grass? Well, according to research that's been done on the subject, it is usually due to one of two reasons.

Why Do Dogs Eat Grass? Reason No. 1:

Sparky has a very upset stomach and his (or her) natural instinct is to vomit up whatever is causing the problem. Now since your dog can't stick a finger down their throat or give themselves a tablespoon of something to induce the process, Mother Nature has put it into a dog's instinct to eat grass. Dogs eat grass, sometimes by the mouthful, to purge their stomach. (Considering what some dogs will eat, it's not surprising that their stomachs stage a revolt!) If you can stand to watch your dog during this heal thyself process, you'll see the heaving start after several mouthfuls have been ingested. Usually, within minutes after vomiting, your dog is running around good as new. You'd never know there was a stomach problem!

Why Do Dogs Eat Grass? Reason No. 2:

For some odd reason, some dogs simply like the taste of grass. Watch your dog when he or she grazes and no purging is involved. Quite often you'll see them pass over one area or type of grass and munch happily on another area or type. It's often quite comical to see them bury their face in the spot they've chosen. They seem to want roots and all!

Personally, I don't like the taste of grass. I only eat it when I have a stomach problem. And at my age, I seem to get minor stomach problems quite often! Anyway, if you were to ask me why dogs eat grass, I'd say for medicinal reasons. However, my step-sister Casey (a golden retriever) thinks its great stuff. Particularly the tiny little shoots that come up through the cracks in the patio. She munches on that stuff like it's lunch hour at a salad bar! I swear that dog will eat almost anything.

If your yard does not have excessive amounts of chemicals on it, dogs eating grass in your yard should not be something to worry about. However, if your dog is eating grass and purging over and over again, you might want to consult your veterinarian. This might be a sign that something in your dog's stomach should not be there and your pet is unable to get it out.