A concerned pet parent came to my office last Tuesday — well, I say “office,” I mean the corner of my living room where I’ve placed a very serious-looking diploma and a bowl of treats that are technically for me but I occasionally share with clients.
The concern: their dog, Biscuit, had been eating grass. Again. With the focused enthusiasm of a golden retriever who has watched too many cooking shows.
“Is he sick?” they asked. “Is he sad? Does he have an eating disorder?”
As Dr. Pawsworth, Certified Pet Therapist and proud holder of a degree I prefer not to discuss in too much detail, I assured them: I had theories.
Theory #1: Biscuit Is a Sophisticated Culinary Explorer
Let’s begin with the most flattering interpretation. Perhaps Biscuit isn’t “eating grass” — perhaps Biscuit is foraging. Do you think wolves just eat meat? Please. Wolves are complex. They’re practically sommeliers of the forest floor.
Biscuit may be self-curating a tasting menu. The lawn as a pop-up restaurant. The dandelion as the amuse-bouche.
My clinical recommendation: respect the process. Consider whether your backyard is meeting Biscuit’s fine dining standards. I’ve seen dogs with a lot of opinions about lawn fertilizer, and frankly, they’re not wrong.
Theory #2: Biscuit Is Settling a Stomach Upset
Okay, I’ll allow a bit of actual veterinary science to interrupt my theorizing for a moment.
The real answer — the one actual vets will tell you — is that dogs often eat grass when their stomachs feel off. Grass can trigger vomiting, which can provide relief. About 25% of grass-eating dogs vomit after doing so. (The other 75% are apparently just snacking and perfectly fine about it.)
If your dog eats grass occasionally and seems otherwise healthy, happy, and not spending excessive time gazing dramatically into the middle distance, it’s probably fine.
If they’re suddenly eating grass with the desperate urgency of someone who just remembered they left the oven on, and they’re also lethargic, off their food, or vomiting frequently — that warrants a real vet visit, not a pet therapy session.
You’re welcome for that one moment of actual useful information. It won’t happen again.
Theory #3: Biscuit Is Bored and You’re Not Interesting Enough
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: boredom in dogs is deeply underdiagnosed. Some dogs eat grass the same way humans scroll through their ex’s Instagram at 11pm — not because it’s satisfying, but because it’s something to do.
My clinical recommendation: enrichment. Mental stimulation. A puzzle feeder. A stuffed Kong. A 45-minute game of “find the treat I hid somewhere in this house and good luck because I’m not telling you where.”
If after all of that Biscuit is still eating grass, we may need to explore the possibility that Biscuit finds the grass more stimulating than you. I say this with compassion.
Theory #4: It’s Ancestral Memory and We Should All Respect That
Dogs are descended from wolves. Wolves sometimes ate the stomach contents of their prey, which included — you guessed it — plant material. Your dog may be reconnecting with thousands of years of evolutionary instinct.
Are you going to stand between Biscuit and his ancestors? Are you going to look him in the eye and say, “no, that patch of grass means nothing”?
I didn’t think so.
Theory #5: Biscuit Just Likes It
This is the theory no one wants to hear. The deeply unsatisfying truth.
Some dogs eat grass because they like the taste or texture. No deeper meaning. No stomach upset. No spiritual journey. Just a dog who thinks your lawn is pretty good eating.
As Dr. Pawsworth, I find this theory professionally unsatisfying, and I refuse to make it the primary conclusion of this session.
The Bottom Line (From Someone Who Is Definitely Qualified)
Grass-eating is usually harmless. Monitor the frequency, make sure your lawn isn’t treated with pesticides or herbicides (very important — that stuff is genuinely dangerous for dogs), and check in with an actual veterinarian if you’re worried about the volume or if it’s accompanied by other symptoms.
But if Biscuit seems fine, is eating and drinking normally, and just occasionally wanders over to take a few bites of the lawn? Let him live. He’s a dog. He’s figured out something that brings him joy.
We should all be so lucky.
— Dr. Pawsworth, Pet Therapist, is not a licensed veterinarian. For actual medical concerns, please see an actual vet. For everything else, we’re here.
