Should dogs eat grass?
There are many different dog breeds that are loved around the world. But one thing the majority share in common is a love of walking on, playing in and even chewing grass.
But have you ever wondered, is grass good for dogs? Or, what should I do if my dog eats grass?
If you're unsure if it's good idea or not, don't worry - BBC Bitesize has you covered.
Why do dogs like rolling in the grass?
All dogs have different activity levels. However, it is widely recommended adult dogs have one to two walks per day. Whether it's walking, running or playing, most dogs love getting their daily exercise on grass.
But why do dogs roll around in the grass? Well - there's a few reasons, and it's completely normal for them to do so.
Several reasons they do this centres around scent. Dogs could be masking their own scent - an instinct to become less detectable and disguise their presence from prey. They could be spreading their own scent to 'mark their territory,' as some do when urinating. Scent can also act as a way of communication, to indicate to other dogs they have been there.
But simply, it could just be that they enjoy it! Dogs could be expressing their happiness, itching a scratch, cooling down or just like the feeling rolling in the grass gives them.
But if you own a dog, always make sure to check where and what they're rolling in, so they can stay clean and healthy.
Can dogs eat grass?
It’s perfectly normal behaviour for dogs to occasionally eat plants. It’s not a staple of most pooches' diet, but what's most important is to feed your dog a balanced diet.
In a 2008 survey of 1500 dog owners, nearly 70% said their dogs ate plant material every day, or at least once a week. Whereas younger dogs and puppies were found to be particularly prone to this behaviour.
You might have heard the rumour that dogs only eat greenery to make themselves sick, or to make up for deficiencies in their diet. But try not to worry as this isn’t always the case.
Is it safe for a dog to eat grass?
Eating grass occasionally is completely normal for dogs. But in some situations, it might be best to ask your parent or guardian to contact a vet:
- The dog eats grass obsessively
- The dog keeps eating grass and being sick
- The dog eats grass but not the food that it is given
If you know a dog that loves munching its way through a lawn, or snacking in nearby meadows, it's probably nothing to worry about. If you're ever concerned about your dog’s health, seek advice from a vet.
Why do dogs eat grass and vomit?
It is a common misconception that dogs eat grass to throw up or to help settle their stomach.
A 2008 survey found that fewer than 1 in 10 dogs showed signs of being ill before they ate grass. Only a quarter were regularly sick afterwards. So, although some dogs do vomit after eating grass, more often than not, they don’t suffer negative repercussions.
But can dogs be allergic to grass? Dogs can have grass allergies, which are an immune response to grass pollens. It can affect a dog in various ways, from itching to watery eyes, red inflamed patches or ear infections.
If you're ever concerned that your dog is unwell or has an allergy, always contact a vet.
Why do dogs eat grass?
Have you ever wondered - why is my dog eating grass? Here's four possible reasons as to why:
1. They enjoy it
We tend to think of dogs as primarily carnivores or meat eaters. They are actually omnivores - meaning they eat meat and plants.
Dogs have around 1700 taste buds, compared to roughly 9000 in us. Like us, dogs can identify sweet, sour, salty, and bitter flavours. Unlike us, dogs have special taste buds that have developed specifically for tasting water. Many say these are an advantage in the wild when dogs are dehydrated.
So, for dogs, water has much more flavour than it does for us. The high water content in grass could explain why some dogs enjoy eating it so much.
2. They need fibre
Dogs need a balanced diet just like we do. Sometimes dogs will seek out high-fibre foods if their diet has been lacking in it. Fibre is important for the dog's ability to digest food and to poo.
The ideal diet for a dog will depend on its age and breed. A rough guide would be 70% meat, 20% vegetables and plant material, and 10% offal (organs of animals). Commercial dog foods list their ingredients on the packaging. Owners should choose a food labelled as “complete” to make sure it has everything their dog needs.
3. They're bored
Do you ever find yourself eating for no reason when you are bored? Dogs are the same - and if they're not getting enough mental stimulation, they might turn to eating your lawn, chewing or digging.
Dogs need physical and mental stimulation to stay happy. Physical stimulation can include walking, running, and playing. Mental stimulation can include tracking a scent outside, obedience training or learning a new trick.
4. It can help get rid of intestinal parasites
Some researchers have suggested that dogs eat grass to relieve themselves of parasites, which might be living in their digestive system.
The grass could help relieve an upset stomach. It could do this by wrapping itself around any parasites and removing them on its way through the digestive tract.
Is grass seed safe for dogs?
Grass seeds are a common problem for dogs. While small, they are sharp, pointy and can cause discomfort or even serious damage.
Grass seeds are attached to the top of long grass stems. During walks, they can become trapped in a dog's fur and pierce their skin, or get stuck in the paws, eyes, or nose. If left untreated, they can cause infections or abscesses.
In 2025, broadcaster and naturalist Chris Packham warned people to be aware of the risk grass seeds pose to dogs. This was after his poodle, Nancy, was rushed to the vet.
At the time, BBC News reported how Packham's dog developed weeping eyes and symptoms similar to conjunctivitis. The cause was because a grass seed became stuck behind her eyelid.
UK animal welfare charity the Blue Cross said you can protect your dog from becoming injured by a grass seed by:
- Inspecting your dog's fur after a walk and removing any seeds straight away – this will reduce the risk of grass seeds piercing their skin
- Keeping the hair around your dog's ears and paws short to minimise the risk of grass seeds getting stuck in their fur
- Avoiding areas with long grass
If your dog has been affected by grass seeds, veterinary advice should be sought.
Does dog urine kill grass?
As much as dogs like to walk on, play in and even eat grass - they also pee on grass. But in some cases, their urine can kill grass.
It would be hard to stop dogs urinating on grass. However, watering the grass down or encouraging your dog to drink more water could lessen the impact. But why does dog urine kill grass?
On their website, vet charity PDSA (People's Dispensary for Sick Animals) said: "The first thing to know is that dog pee killing grass is completely natural. Because dogs naturally have nitrogen in their pee from the normal breakdown of proteins, when it hits the grass it can ‘burn’ the area they pee on.
"A common misconception is that the grass is damaged because of the pH (acidity) of the urine, but this is not true. On the bright side, the grass surrounding this will get extra nutrients from your dog’s pee so will probably start to look greener!"
This article was published in July 2024 and updated in July 2026