Dear Max,

My two dogs, Buddy and Lady, seem to always be munching on my lawn and I've noticed that sometimes they throw up after eating it. Why do dogs eat grass?

– Do my Shepherds think they're sheep?








Dear "Do my Shepherds . . ."

There is no need to worry; eating grass is normal dog behavior. It's true that sometimes after we chow down on the greens we can get sick but that's not always the case for every dog. I know that my people think I'll only eat grass to make myself regurgitate when my tummy's upset, but there are times when I just like the taste. I'm not a picky eater and grass can be a tasty treat every now and then—even if I do throw it up on occasion.

If Buddy and Lady are eating grass on a daily basis, they might need more fiber in their diet. Dogs need a well-balanced diet just like humans do. Back in the day, before us dogs were your best friends, we had to hunt for food and we ate herbivores when we were hungry. Those herbivores consumed grasses and other green plants that provided us with the probiotics and enzymes we need to keep us healthy. Today, we still have a taste for the greens, so it's possible that Buddy and Lady need more of the nutrition supplied by greens in their diets.

Check the ingredients on your dogs' food and ask your vet to recommend a fiber-rich formula, or look into supplements that are packed with greens, probiotics and enzymes. I used to eat grass a lot, but after my humans started me on Vetraceuticals (which is full of all the good nutrients that greens give you), I haven't been feeling the urge to "mow" the lawn.

One concern you should have with your two dogs eating grass is: What is on the grass they are eating? Grass that has been treated with pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, or chemicals in general can be very dangerous for dogs (and wildlife). One wrong mouthful could cause worse tummy problems than vomiting. If you treat your lawn with this stuff, keep a watchful eye on your dogs so they don't harm themselves.