Dogs eating grass

United States
March 14, 2007 6:20pm CST
I've had dogs eat grass in the past because their stomach was upset and they needed to vomit, but this is different. Both of our greyhounds periodically eat grass, and don't get sick afterwards. It should be noted that they both like vegetables. I wonder if they eat it when they need more vegetables/vitamins/fiber? I feed a very high quality dry dog food as their main dinner. Any ideas?
2 people like this
6 responses
@raydene (9871)
• United States
15 Mar 07
Hello I believe that animals know what they need and will go for it. My dogs all love veggies and my oldest dog 15 year golden eats tomatoes right off the vine in our garden. R
2 people like this
@k1tten (2318)
• United States
15 Mar 07
It's a good possiblility that they are missing something in their diet. Nothing too serious I'm guessing because they're not scarfing it. Grass also works as a fiber replacement. So they may naturally be using it as a fiber supplement.
2 people like this
• Philippines
15 Mar 07
I guess you should take some grass samples to your vet and have him examine the grass if it causes any harm to dogs, just to be sure because as much as dogs need fiber, there are several grass types that are poisonous to dogs. Better be sure than sorry
1 person likes this
@prestocaro (1252)
• United States
15 Mar 07
I think it's probably because they want some veggies! lamb and rice gets pretty boring, you know:). We feed our grey baby spinach sometimes (although we pay a high price later that night, he can clear a room without even waking up) or lettuce. I just mix it in with the dry food when I'm de-bloating it or whatever. You know, soaking it. He usually ends the meal on the leaves (with some funny faces and lots of spitting it out to eat it again) but he always finishes it. The only thing he doesn't really like is the carrots.
• United States
15 Mar 07
Mine love carrots! (cooked)
1 person likes this
• United States
15 Mar 07
Ah, I bet that's what it is! I give him raw ones and he spits them out and rolls them around, then I step in them the next morning. I'll try cooked tonight -- thanks for the tip!
• United States
14 Mar 07
My dog does this too. She actually sometimes eats broccoli too. I think they just like to taste things just like we do. I'd be more worried about pesticides that might be on the grass. As long as there aren't any, let them have their "greens".
• United States
12 Oct 07
It is a myth that dogs eat grass when they have an upset stomach. Canine diets require some ingredients found in vegetable matter, and being that they are eating grass, they are probably lacking something in their diet. The tend to vomit due to the fact that a dog's digestive system (like a human's) is not capable of digesting grass. Either they will vomit the undigested grass or pass undigested grass in their stool.