Expert explains why your dog eating grass is ‘not a problem’

But, as dogs can’t communicate the way we do, owners have to closely watch and take note of their behaviour to figure out if they’re feeling under the weather or struggling in some way. And many people turn to social media looking for insight and advice from fellow owners, as well as from experts.

Canine behaviourist Will Atherton has attracted a vast following on social media thanks to his regular uploads which detail his professional insight and expertise. In a video on TikTok, he shared what he said is likely to be a controversial view which “will upset a lot of vets and a lot of dog owners”.

Speaking directly to the camera, Will explained: “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.”

Will went on to explain that the behaviour in fact goes back to dogs’ history as scavengers, when their “wild ancestors would routinely consume plant matter as a part of a varied diet.”

He continued: “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.”

It’s common to see throw up immediately after eating grass, leading many to believe the grass is the cause of the vomit. But this may not always be the case.

Will said: “The often truth is that the dog was already feeling nauseous before they went for the grass – they were almost self-medicating. That is a remarkable and intelligent behaviour, not a crisis.

“Now, when should you actually worry? Well, if your dog is obsessively and frantically eating grass, eating it constantly throughout every single walk, or vomiting repeatedly, that absolutely warrants a conversation with your vet because it can signal an underlying issue.”

He also warned owners to be vigilant if their dogs have access to grass that’s been treated with “pesticides or herbicides” as this poses a threat of “genuine and serious danger”. Will added: “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.”