The important thing is to make sure that the grass they’re munching has not been treated with any toxic substances. So, the take home is that grass eating may serve a purpose, have an underlying cause, or just be a thing some dogs do!
In one survey of hundreds of owners with grass-grazing canines, most dogs (82-92%) did not regularly vomit after ingesting grass. Whether there was any benefit to the vomiting remains to be seen. If ancient dogs had worms that made them feel sick, the instinctto eat grass to help pass the worms could have been linked to the feelings of sickness. There may be a shred of this theory attached to the worm-scouring idea, though. Most grass eating does not occur in ill animals, and dogs do not have the cognitive ability to ingest grass in order to consciously induce vomiting or even soothe their stomachs. To Induce Vomiting – This theory is a golden oldie, but not one that probably deserves much credence.In my experience, most Labrador’s are born suffering from sock-and-underwear deficiencies that they are desperate to correct – even if it means having those things surgically removed at a later date! However, pica is not considered to be a major cause of grass-eating. Sometimes pica behaviors are driven by nutritional deficiencies, especially iron. These can range from dirt, to socks, to hair ties, to good old green grass. Pica – This term refers to animals that ingest inappropriate, non-nutritive items and substances.Food puzzles, structured, walks around the neighborhood, and teaching your dog tricks and commands are all ways to do this. Making sure your dog is getting enough exercise and daily engagement can help curb these types of behaviors. Drinking excessive water (in the absence of a medical reason), eating grass, pacing, and many other behaviors can be a way for dogs to expend nervous energy or stimulate themselves. Boredom – Some dogs can show displacement behaviors if they are bored or anxious.If you ever DO see worms in freshly passed stool, though, contact your veterinarian. (Another reason to give your heartworm prevention EVERY MONTH, people!). This has been observed in dogs, wolves, and also chimps! Most dogs now are on monthly heartworm preventatives that also prevent common GI parasites. The plant material is thought to “scour” the GI tract and help the animal rid themselves of unwanted hitchhikers. One theory as to the possible purpose of this behavior involves intestinal worms.
It also appears to be a normal instinct for many, but not all, domestic dogs. This behavior has been documented in wild wolf populations.
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