Why do dogs eat grass?

1. 83

   scoopposted 11 years ago

   Why do dogs eat grass?
   
   Does it mean that they are sick when they eat grass?

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2. 0

   Headfullofsoundposted 11 years ago

   Not always.  It could mean that they're merely curious about the taste, or need a "palate cleanser", or are really hungry.  I'm also wondering if it can't indicate constipation - sounds like that yummy grass has tons of fiber in it!

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3. 63

   Desertarmorposted 11 years ago

   There are 2 main reasons, The first is that them may have an upset stomach with too much acid and the grass elevates the feeling. The second is that 2 fold, the dog may not be getting the minerals that its body needs from the food they are getting, or if they are more licking the grass than eating it, they are getting the sent of something, IE if the male dog is licking the grass he is more likely than not  getting the sent of either a female in heat, or a small animal.

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4. 0

   ignugent17posted 11 years ago

   They say it is good for digestion.  They like to play with it too and maybe liked the taste.

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5. 60

   wetnosedogsposted 11 years ago

   I always thought it was because they are feeling ill, but as answered already, some are licking the grass for a scent. My youngest, who is part lab, definitely likes to show off her lab self to get a scent on something while they've been stuck in the house while I'm working. And after a rain, especially, her nose is to the ground, right in the grass, smelling and trailing something that wanted to get out of the rain.

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6. 66

   afriqnetposted 11 years ago

   There is a deficiency syndrome that is associated with animal eating anything (foreign objects ) and grass is a primary thing that is eaten by carnivores.  I think the reasons why this happens is due to indigestion problem or mineral deficiency.

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7. 60

   Sparhawkeposted 11 years ago

   More than likely because grass is an emetic, that is to say a dog has stomach issues it will likely eat grass; something they would otherwise rarely do. You have to remember that the sulfuric acid in a dogs stomach is some 20 times stronger than our own which is why they can withstand eating raw chicken...lets face it here, if your dog did not throw up the grass would you ever have noticed?

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8. 0

   Woodchuck47posted 11 years ago

   I believe they do it when they have upset stomachs. But it doesn't make a difference because eventually they'll just puke it up too.

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9. 61

   love my yorkiesposted 11 years ago

   It actually calms their digestive system if it is upset.

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