Going outside with your dog is the most fun there is. What dog doesn’t like running through the woods? But even a small walk through the neighborhood or running loose in the off-lease area is something most dogs love. If you often go outside with your dog, you may have noticed that your dog eats grass. Your dog is certainly not alone in this! It is not always an immediate reason to worry, but it is important to find out why your dog eats grass. In this article we’ll explain what these reasons might be.
It’s part of your dog’s character
Many people think that dogs are carnivores and that it is in their DNA to eat only meat. Nothing could be further from the truth. Dogs actually evolved as omnivores. Dogs used to eat everything available, whether that was meat, plants or other foods. So, eating grass may simply be an instinct.
This reason for eating grass is quite harmless. Still, it is important to keep an eye on whether your dog eats grass a lot and often. Some other causes are more serious, but you can easily address them with the tips below.
Your dog is bored
The need to eat things other than normal kibble can be a sign of boredom. This happens, for example, when your dog gets too little exercise or plays too little during the day. Were you home a lot during the lockdown, but have you since returned to work at the office? This is also a switch for your dog. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to combat boredom. Make sure you go outside together regularly, extend the walks by a few minutes, throw a ball more often and make sure your dog has some toys at home that he or she can amuse themselves with when you are not at home.
Your dog likes grass
Tastes differ. Just as we as humans may like to eat a cucumber, your dog may like to eat grass. Dogs that like grass often go for the young grass that begins to grow during the first months of spring.