Why do dogs eat grass? Is it good or bad for them?

Question

My dog eats grass all the time. as soon as we get out of the car he starts grazing on the grass. Should I stop him or let him..

Answer 1

Dog are natural self healers. The primary reason they eat grass (or any other vegitation for that matter) is they usuall have an upset stomach. The clorafil in the grass helps them either calm down the upset or helps the vomit to get what ever has caused the upset. If your dog does this often as you have indicated switching his food to some other brand may help. He may also have stomach disorder that might need a vet to check out.

Answer 2

Dogs commonly eat grass, and there are several explanations that have been offered for this behavior. One, wild canids (e.g., wolves and fox) eat all of an animal when they catch it. Since they eat many herbivores (plant-eating animals), they end up eating a lot of grasses and plants that were in the intestines of these animals. In addition, they have been known to eat certain berries and other plant material. Dogs then, may eat grass because, in reality, it is a normal part of their diet.
But there is always a risk of pesticides, so it is better to stop your dog.

Answer 3

The grass acts as a natural antacid of sorts. Many times dogs (and cats) will instinctively eat it if they have an upset stomach -- like a Rolaids or a Tums for them! If it is happening when he gets out of the car, maybe he is carsick or nervous....it could also be dietary -- if he routinely gets table scraps or he has outgrown his dog food (needs senior formula, perhaps?). Sometimes they do it out of habit or nerves. Does he throw up or have other symptoms of upset stomach?
There is a chance that it could be something else that a vet needs to diagnose.

Answer 4

believe it or not, but i once saw a cat eating grass. and then i learnt that it had eaten an old peice of meat and it had indigestion problem and so it wanted to chew some grass as eating more meat would mean bad things can happen to its health.
i think its the same thing with your dog too! it will be ok soon!don't worry!

Answer 5

The dogs usually eat grass when they have indigestion or chronic stomach upset. I have learnt this from my forefathers and seen to myself that it is true, as I too have grown dogs.
So let them contiinue eating grass or take him to a vet.
Manu

Answer 6

When non vegetarian animal feel that their stomach is not OK then they eat grass, for this their stomach will be OK and'll work in proper manner, this is animal built in self - medicine. You don't need to let him to the doctor. But if your dog is eating grass regularly then you urgently need to let him to the doctor.

Regards,
waQQas

Answer 7

all animals do that in order to aid their digestive system. as we take medicines for better bowel movement or to cure the stomach so do dogs and cats and most other animals this is a kind of a detoxifying process which allows them much better health in the longrun .so let u're pooch run free and allow him to eat the grass. it's not unhygenic.it's just herbal medicine.

Answer 8

Dogs often eat carcasses, bones, etc. They eat grass to induce vomiting. They use this type of self-medication whenever they need to get rid of something in their stomach that is making them sick..

Mother Nature is pretty cool, hmmm?

Answer 9

it is old thinking that whenever dogs feels over eating they use to eat grass and by instant vomating the feel free. but the scentific reason behind this habbit is that the grass contains cellouse which is only digested by reumen stomach(i.e of cows or other grass eaters).
by the use of grass by dogs i.e engulfs the enzymes for digestion and make dogs feeling vomatid, all in all for digestion purposes.

Answer 10

When dogs eat grass it is because either;
1. they like the taste of it, or
2. they have an upset stomach.

Either way it will usually make them throw up if they eat too much of it. (It something that is instinct for them to do to make them throw-up if they have an upset stomach, which will make them feel better.)

You say whenever he gets out of the car he does this...maybe he gets motion sickness! try unrolling the window a little. (not enough for him to stick his face out!)