When walking a dog, you may notice a phenomenon: dogs actually eat grass. Many people say dogs eat grass because they feel unwell and are looking for a cure, while others say dogs eat grass to supplement vitamins. Why do dogs eat grass? Is the dog eating grass sick?

Actually, dogs eating grass is also a kind of habit. Dogs are omnivorous animals, but they are different from typical omnivores. Over the years, wild dogs have survived by scavenging rotting food. To maintain the necessary elements for their bodies, they eat anything. They can even swallow whole prey, including the stomachs of herbivores because those stomachs contain undigested grass residues. However, through domestication and evolution by humans, modern dogs no longer need to rely on their ancestors' habits. Even stray dogs living outdoors can find some plants, berries, or vegetables as substitutes, with grass being the most common because it is the most widespread.

Dogs can absorb the nutrients they need from plants. When dogs have bloating or stomach discomfort, they will choose to eat grass. The spiky parts and rough texture of the grass irritate the stomach lining, causing the dog to vomit. Usually, when dogs overeat, they also use this method to induce vomiting. Dogs tend to eat as much as they want, so owners need to control meal portions. Otherwise, overeating may cause stomach discomfort, leading dogs to use this method to stimulate the stomach.

Dogs do not actually ruminate; they chew slowly and will only vomit when they feel uncomfortable. This behavior might be because the dog's diet is too monotonous and lacks these plants, so the best approach is to feed dogs some fruits regularly. Dog food can also be chosen that contains added vegetable and fruit ingredients.

You can also buy organic grass at home specifically for dogs to eat. This is very safe and can satisfy the dog's needs, so why not?