Veterinarians will tell you that they answer this question all day, every day which means lots of dogs eat grass. Eating “strange” non-food items (like grass) is technically known as pica and may be associated with a diet deficient in nutrients, vitamins, or minerals. But dogs on well-balanced, commercial diets should not be nutritionally deficient, so why do they eat grass?<br />Is eating grass a physical need?<br />One common assumption is that dogs eat grass to relieve upset stomachs. Some dogs consume grass with urgency, then vomit shortly afterwards. Here is the chicken vs. egg dilemma: Does a dog eat grass to vomit and soothe an ailing stomach or does he develop a stomachache and vomit because he ate grass? Since studies show that less than 25% of dogs vomit after eating grass, it is unlikely that they turn to the green stuff as a form of self-medication. In fact, only 10% of dogs show signs of illness prior to eating grass. The bottom line is that the majority of grass-eating dogs are not sick beforehand and do not vomit afterwards.
