Vet gives verdict on what it really means if your dog eats grass

When you’re a pet owner, you probably notice lots of things about your animals.

For example, dogs can sometimes eat grass, and you may wonder if it’s something to worry about. According to TikTok vet, Dr Nicole Rous, there are some things you need to keep an eye on.

Your pooch could actually be telling you something really important if they eat grass a lot. Here’s what you need to know about the habit.

Dr Nicole said: “The reason may interest you, actually there’s quite a few. The first one is boredom or curiousity. A lot of dogs do it just wondering what’s going on.

“The second one is perhaps a lag from their ancestral behaviour, so they’re looking for fibre. And then there’s another reason, which I think is the one we worry about a lot, some dogs do go and gorge on grass to soothe an upset tummy or make themselves vomit.”

Sometimes, she said some of them are looking for deficiencies in their diets, so they look for grass and soil in a bid to find trace minerals. If your dog doesn’t eat a lot of grass, but otherwise seems ok with regular bowel habits, she said it’s usually nothing to worry about.

But, if your dog eats grass a lot and they’re getting upset tummies, then you may want to have a chat with your vet. This is because, according to Dr Nicole, there may be reasons why they’re doing it and it should be investigated if you have concerns.

The video has been viewed hundreds of times since it was shared, and people were quick to comment too. They shared all sorts of personal stories.

One person said: “Most of my dogs like to eat grass in the spring when the shoots are nice and tender, and there is a particular type of grass in the yard where we walk.”

A second added: “My dogs do munch on fresh spring grass, but not excessively. I’m not worried as I know they have the best diet and their health is good.”

A third also replied: “My dog just loved the taste. Was never sick and had a great balanced diet, and he was regular. He was just odd.”

Experts say there are a number of reasons why dogs can eat grass – ranging from boredom, because they like the taste or to stimulate the digestive system. If you have any concerns about how much they’re eating, contact your vet for advice.