It's an age old question:

"Why does my pet eat grass?"

The funny thing is that no one really knows!  No one but the pet eating the grass.  There are many theories floating around but no definitive answers.  Here are a few of those ideas to give you a little insight into the strange world of pet tastes: 

1. They like it!  I know that it sounds strange for humans to think of running out to their lawn, grabbing a hunk of grass and start chowing down on it but that is exactly what some pets love to do.  Whether the grass tastes sweet or if they like the texture, no one knows!  Dogs are omnivores and much of their ancestral diet is made up of vegetation so it really isn't that awkward to think that this is just a way of getting "some greens".

2. A nutritional deficiency is another option.  All organisms have cravings.  These cravings usually coincide with some type of deficiency in the body. Some dogs, and people, crave dirt when minerals are low. Some people crave sweets and greasy food when they need a little fat in their system.  Pets eating grass may be the result of a deficiency as well.  Different vitamins and minerals can be found in grass.

3. The "stomach tickle" is yet another sound theory on why pets eat grass and the most commonly known.  You see your pet eating grass and you instantly think that their stomach is upset and they are trying to vomit.  The "stomach tickle" is a result of eating grass. It stimulates a vomit response which pet's always seem to feel is the easiest and best way to feel better when their stomach is upset.  "My stomach is hurting, I must get out what is in there, I must vomit." - makes sense!  So why don't all pets eating grass vomit?  If you watch a pet that likes to eat grass, they will delicately chew the grass before swallowing.  Pets that have an upset stomach will gulp grass down like their lives depends on it, not chewing, just swallowing.  These whole blades of grass is what causes the stomach's vomit response.

4. Cat's have their own reasons to eat grass.  Roughage.  Cat grass can help with everything from hairballs to folic acid to fiber.  Cat's love to eat plants so providing cat grass ensures that they are eating safe greens.

Whatever the reason your pet eats grass, be sure to keep it in mind when you use chemicals or treatments on your yard, what house plants you keep around and the reason they want to eat the grass.

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