My dog eats grass or poo, but why?

Maybe you’ve noticed that your dog likes to eat strange things during your walks. Strange to us humans, that is. Dogs are known to eat grass, poo, leaves and sand. It doesn’t necessarily have to mean anything, but in some cases, there is a reason. We will tell you all about it.

Why does my dog eat grass?

Did you take your dog for a walk only to find it grazing? Don’t be too surprised. Dogs are known to eat grass simply because they like it. As long as they eat calmly and chew properly, there’s no reason for concern. But sometimes there are underlying reasons why a dog will eat grass. Eating large amounts of grass and swallowing it without chewing properly, may be a way for the dog to induce vomiting. This behaviour might be caused by nausea or if the dog feels it ate something that was off.

Eating grass and vomiting frequently

If it happens every now and then, there is no need to worry. But if it has been happening regularly, there might be an underlying issue and it is important to get to the bottom of it. Find out if your dog has any other symptoms, such as diarrhoea, windiness, lip smacking or emphatic swallowing. Consult your vet for advice. Your dog may be suffering from stomach issues or parasites such as worms.

Why does my dog eat poo?

It may sound strange, but dogs do eat poo every now and then. The only apparent reason seems to be that they probably like it. For you, as the owner, it is undesirable behaviour which can be kicked. Because dogs eating poo isn’t completely innocent. Faeces contain bacteria like salmonella, viruses and parasites such as worms. These pathogens can infect your dog.
In order to help your dog kick the habit of eating poo, here is what to do:

• If your dog likes to eat its own poo, make sure to remove it immediately.
• Punish the behaviour or try to distract your dog from the behaviour by giving it a toy or a snack.

Dogs that eat strange things

Dogs are curious animals that like to nibble on a thing or two during their walk. Always pay attention to what your dog is eating and make sure it doesn’t ingest any toxic substances. Be careful with mushrooms, for example, when enjoying a hike in the forest. Other things to keep an eye on are (green) acorns and green oak leaves. They contain a lot of tannic acid, also known as tannin, which is poisonous to dogs. They can make your dog very sick and this can be very dangerous! Certain types of plants are also toxic to dogs. Prevent your dog from eating them during your walks and make sure your garden is a safe environment, free of any dangerous plants.