Why do dogs and cats eat grass?

We are used to the fact that eating grass is perfectly normal behaviour for our cat especially when they want to rid themselves of those annoying fur balls. However when we see our dog chewing on grass we automatically assume that they must be sick. This is not necessarily the case and there are several reasons why they may have taken to eating grass as well as our plants.

They could just be hungry. Researchers in Australia noted that dogs chewed grass mostly before meal times. The more grass they consumed was an indication of how hungry they were.

Your dog’s ancestors would have hunted in packs and they would have had their fair share of grass simply from the intestines of the animals they ate. They would have also grazed on many different plants. This shows that it is a natural instinct to want to do this.

It could simply be an enjoyable pastime for your pet. You may have noticed that your dog always seeks out the same type of grass or plant.

Your dog might be self medicating when they are feeling sick and need to vomit although experts conclude that for the most part this is not the reason why.

Some dogs and humans have a disease that causes them to consume non-food matter such as grass. If grass eating is an issue you can look at training your dog not to do this.

Your dog could be searching for nutrients and may need some extra vitamins and minerals or even fibre in their diet.

Cats on the other hand will usually vomit after nibbling on grass. This is beneficial for cats who hunt and eat their prey as it gives them the opportunity to get rid of any indigestible matter from their digestive tract. The juices found in grass contain folic acid which is an essential vitamin for cats. Grass is also a natural laxative for cats and can assist them with getting rid of those annoying fur balls which are deep in their digestive tract.

Experts conclude that eating grass is harmless but do make sure they are not munching on grass which has been sprayed with pesticides. If you do notice an increase in their grass consumption consult your vet for a check up as there could be a more serious medical issue.