Tearing up grass

[Wrath]

Jaxom has recently started grabbing mouthfuls of grass and thrashing about, throwing them into the air while outside playing. He's also calmly eaten a few clumps while on potty breaks in the evening, I try to keep a close eye on him while he's sniffing around and redirect him if he appears TOO intersted in a particualr clump, but every so often he gets a mouth full and chows down before I can get in and scoop it out. I dimly recall something about dogs eating grass if they were queasy, I don't know if that's true or not and I can't see how that could be as we haven't changed his diet recently and it doesn't always happen after he eats dinner.

So what's the deal with tearing up grass during play and eating grass on other occasions?

[Judi W]

Grass is doggy salad.

[rottsnroses]

Reno grazed like a horse and it was rare for him to ever throw it back up. I think he genuinely liked it and it filled some nutritional gap that he wasn't getting in his kibble. Max likes a grass snack every once in awhile too. If your boy likes to graze, just be sure and keep the lawn chemicals off his pasture.

[jollyfattroll]

Oh yeah! Wrecks does the same thing! I thought he was part cow sometimes! He ripped up a portion of grass next to our pool last summer and dug holes everywhere. That area looks like it got hit with a cluster bomb! But he's just doing what a Rottie does best! :p

[legalbeagle]

Many dogs eat grass. We humans don't understand why and can only speculate. I happen to think it's harmless behavior and could serve a nutritional gap, and could also serve to supply necessary roughage. My dogs munch like cattle, and select very tender shoots and grasses to chomp on. Later, I see that it's come out the other end, seemingly intact. They're not sick or feeling nauseated either. I think they like it and seek it out.

IOW, relax. It's okay and keep the dog from eating treated lawn.

Cathi M.