Does Your Dog Eat Leaves for the Taste, Texture, or Attention?
Some people have also proposed that dogs of all kinds gained a taste for plant material when they ingested it in the stomachs of other animals that they ate. You know what they say, “Once you go grass, you never go back!”
Maybe, they just like eating grass and leaves. It could be a texture thing! When you pay more attention to them after they eat leaves or grass, it could also act as positive reinforcement so that they continue doing it for more attention.
We do know that the ingestion of grass and other plant materials can make dogs vomit. Of course, pet owners are very concerned when that happens, and it led to the idea that perhaps dogs eat grass and leaves because their stomach is upset and they’re trying to induce vomiting or to otherwise relieve their upset stomach.
The only problem with that idea is it’s like the question about the chicken or the egg and which came first. Did your dog eat the plant material because he had an upset stomach or did eating grass give your dog an upset stomach in the first place? It’s also true that many dogs eat leaves and grass and never vomit.
Is Your Dog Eating Grass and Leaves Because He’s Bored?
When dogs are bored, they do all kinds of different things to entertain themselves. That could be why your dog chews on the couch, digs holes in the yard, or eats leaves when you leave.
This is why chew toys can be your best friend. They give your dog something better to do with their time than destroy your furniture or eat your plants. It’s especially helpful to have interactive toys that will keep your dog busy for hours at a time.
If those methods fail, however, it may be time for some good old-fashioned dog training. Dog training can actually solve all kinds of behavioral problems. It gives your dog the mental stimulation they need to stay happy and healthy.
Some people believe that dogs eat leaves as a means to get rid of intestinal parasites. Certainly, intestinal parasites can cause an upset stomach, and perhaps, your dog might eat leaves or grass to alleviate that discomfort as we’ve discussed already.
This is a possibility, but usually, with parasites, you see other symptoms such as diarrhea, actual worms in your dog’s poop or vomit, and bloating or gas. Still, he might be eating leaves because of worms that you might not be able to see.
That’s why if you see him throwing up more frequently than just every once in a while and you notice he has a bloated stomach, it might be a good idea to have your veterinarian check him out. Be sure to take a stool sample so your vet can check for intestinal parasites.
Is Eating Leaves or Grass a Problem?
The answer is a definite maybe. It really depends on two things: the reason your dog’s eating leaves or grass and the type of leaves or grass he’s ingesting. As we’ve discussed, there are some health reasons why your dog might be eating grass or leaves, and for those, you want your vet to check him out.
But the type of leaves or grass he’s eating could also cause health problems. For example, if your dog eats grass after you’ve applied pesticides or herbicides to kill certain weeds, that could result in something known as organophosphate poisoning.
If your dog ingests chemicals like that, the first symptom you see is usually excessive drooling. If you know you’ve applied these chemicals to your yard, it’s best to keep your pet away from them until they are absorbed. This kind of toxicity requires emergency treatment, and without it, it can be fatal.
Moreover, there are also many plants that are toxic for your dog. The ASPCA has a list on its website of the plants that are toxic to dogs, cats, and other animals. The list is comprehensive and includes pictures as well as a hotline you can call if your dog has ingested one of these plants.
As with the ingestion of a pesticide or herbicide, if your dog has ingested a toxic plant, you will often see excessive drooling, and that may be followed by vomiting or even seizures. If you think this has happened, call your vet and take your dog in immediately.
Vet Guide | Why Do Dogs Eat Grass?
Autumn brings crisp air, warm sweaters, and crunchy leaves perfect for fall hikes with your dog. Your pup may love to play and jump around in fallen leaves, but what if they eat them? In small quantities, most leaves are not harmful to dogs, but its always best to know what kinds of trees and plants surrounding your home you should keep your dog away from and when to consider this behavior abnormal.