Professional dog trainer and canine behaviourist Will Atherton has explained that dogs eating grass is typically normal behaviour, contrary to common fears that it signals illness. In a TikTok video, he stated that his opinion "will upset a lot of vets and a lot of dog owners."
Normal Canine Behaviour
Atherton said: "Your dog eating grass is not a problem. As a canine behaviourist, I hear this concern constantly. Owners panicking, rushing their dog to the vet, convinced something is terribly wrong. And the reality is that in the majority of cases, grass eating is completely normal canine behaviour."
He attributed this to dogs' history as scavengers, noting that "wild ancestors would routinely consume plant matter as a part of a varied diet." Atherton added: "So, when your dog grazes on a patch of grass, they are often simply following a deeply ingrained biological instinct. Sometimes they do it because they enjoy it, sometimes they're seeking out a particular nutrient or fibre that their current diet isn't fully providing."
Vomiting After Eating Grass
Many owners observe dogs vomiting after eating grass and assume the grass caused it. However, Atherton explained that often the dog was already nauseous before eating grass, and they were "self-medicating." He described this as "a remarkable and intelligent behaviour, not a crisis."
When to Worry
Atherton advised that owners should only be concerned if the dog is "obsessively and frantically eating grass, eating it constantly throughout every single walk, or vomiting repeatedly," as this may indicate an underlying issue warranting a vet visit. He also warned about grass treated with "pesticides or herbicides," which poses a "genuine and serious danger."
He concluded: "But the occasional munch on a little bit of the verge or your garden lawn? That is normal dog behaviour. Understand your dog. Stop catastrophising normal behaviour and you will feel a lot calmer about the whole thing, which will allow your dog to feel a lot calmer, which will allow you to build a better relationship, which will allow you to have a better behaved dog."
