Ezra stops. Mid-walk. Head down, nose in the long, soft grass. He sniffs. Licks at it a bit. And then – he eats it. Long, soft, fresh grass.
And sometimes he comes to me afterward. With the grass half-in, half-out. And looks at me. With that look: Mom, please help me.
I help. And then – a happy dance. A complete, genuine, enthusiastic happy dance. As if it were the greatest heroic deed in human history.
Anyone who has a dog knows this. And anyone seeing it for the first time wonders: Is this normal? Should I be worried? And why does he do it?
The short answer: most of the time, it's completely normal. The long answer – that's more interesting.
Is eating grass normal?
Yes. Very much so. Studies show that up to 79% of dogs with access to plants have been observed eating grass. It's one of the most common behaviors in dogs – and one of the most misunderstood.
Eating grass even has its own technical term: pica (the tendency to eat non-food substances). This sounds more alarming than it is. Because in the case of grass, pica is almost always harmless – and often simply instinct.
What's true - and what's not: The most common myths
Myth 1: He eats grass because he feels sick
Most people believe this. But science says: only 9% of dogs showed signs of discomfort before eating grass. The vast majority eat grass simply because they want to – not because they are sick.
Myth 2: He eats grass to vomit
Less than 25% of dogs vomit after eating grass. Ezra never does. For him, everything goes its normal way – sometimes with Mom's help on the other end. What really makes him vomit is when he eats bones too greedily and too quickly. Then they come out hours later. And when he was little: wooden sticks. That's not funny. Sticks can get caught in the digestive tract (the entire system from mouth to intestine that processes food) and lead to real injuries – this always requires a vet visit.
Myth 3: Eating grass is a sign of nutrient deficiency
Even dogs on perfectly balanced, high-quality food eat grass. It's instinct – not a cry for help. If a dog regularly and urgently eats a lot of grass, it could be an indication of a lack of fiber (plant fibers that regulate digestion) – but an occasional grass-nibbler like Ezra is simply a dog with healthy instincts.
Myth 4: You should break him of the habit
Veterinarians expressly do not recommend this. Behavioral changes for natural instincts can do more harm than good. As long as the grass is untreated and the dog appears healthy – just let them.
Myth 5: Eating grass is bad for the dog
Neither good nor bad – as long as the grass is untreated. And in fact, there are even some good things about it. More on that shortly.
Why does my dog eat grass? The real reasons
There isn't just one reason. There are several – and they are fascinating.
Ancient instinct
Dogs are not true carnivores (pure meat-eaters) – but also not true omnivores (eaters of all things). Their wild ancestors ate their prey whole – and thus also the stomach contents of the prey, which often contained plant material. Studies show that 11-47% of wolves eat grass. The instinct is deeply rooted – even if Ezra is no longer a wolf.
Prof. Benjamin Hart of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine (one of the most renowned veterinary faculties in the USA) also suggests that eating grass originally helped expel intestinal parasites (nematodes, small roundworms that live in the intestine). The plant material increases intestinal motility and literally wraps around the worms – a natural cleansing mechanism that has been preserved to this day.
Fiber and natural nutrients
Grass contains fiber (plant fibers that stimulate digestion and keep the intestines moving), folic acid (a B vitamin that is rarely found in meat), chlorophyll (the green plant pigment that has a mild anti-inflammatory effect and can freshen breath), as well as calcium, potassium, and zinc.
Ezra first sniffs – licks a bit – and then decides. This is not a blind instinct. This is a dog seeking the fresh young grass that contains the most chlorophyll. He knows what he wants.
Stomach upset – but less often than thought
Sometimes dogs actually eat grass when their stomach isn't quite settled – bile reflux (the backflow of bile into an empty stomach, causing discomfort in the early morning) is a known trigger. The grass then stimulates the stomach wall and can bring relief. But this is the exception – not the rule.
Taste and texture
Fresh, long, soft grass – especially in spring and early summer – simply tastes good to many dogs. This is not an illness. This is preference. And that's nice.
Boredom or stress
Some dogs eat more grass when they have little to do or when contact with their owner decreases. Eating grass can then be a form of self-occupation – similar to people biting their nails in stressful situations.
What's even good about it?
Eating grass does not deserve its reputation as a concerning behavior. Because there are some things that are actually good about it – if the grass is clean and untreated.
• Fiber stimulates intestinal peristalsis (the wave-like movements of the intestines that push food forward) – good for sluggish digestion.
• Chlorophyll has a mild anti-inflammatory effect and can naturally freshen breath.
• Folic acid – a B vitamin important for cell division and blood formation – is surprisingly abundant in young grass.
• The natural parasite defense mechanism described by Prof. Hart – grass wrapping around worms and carrying them away – is an elegant self-protection of the body.
• Eating grass is instinct – and following instincts is healthy for dogs. It contributes to their well-being.
What is truly dangerous about eating grass?
Eating grass itself is almost always harmless. But there are three things to keep in mind.
Pesticides and herbicides
Treated grass – with weed killers (herbicides - chemical agents that kill plants), fertilizers, or insecticides (agents against insects) – can be toxic to dogs. Public lawns, golf courses, well-maintained parks – always keep this in mind. In a meadow or on the roadside: usually not a problem. In a freshly treated city park: better not.
City grass - special caution
Those who walk their dog in the city have a harder time than in the countryside. Because city grass is almost always contaminated - and not just by pesticides.
Tire abrasion from passing cars settles as fine dust on grass and soil and contains heavy metals like zinc, lead, and cadmium. Exhaust fumes also settle in the soil. Road salt spread in winter remains in the soil and grass for a long time. Municipalities regularly spray sidewalk edges and parks with weed killers - often without warning signs. Rat poison is laid out in many cities and likes to hide in tall grass. And cigarette butts - highly toxic to dogs - end up everywhere.
In addition, there is the feces of other dogs, which leaves behind parasite eggs and bacteria.
This does not mean that city grass is fundamentally forbidden. But it does mean: be attentive. Prefer known clean meadows. And add zeolite to food daily - because what Ezra picks up on his vineyard walk, a city dog picks up on the park strip. Zeolite binds heavy metals, mycotoxins, and other pollutants in the intestine - before they enter the bloodstream. This is not a luxury in the city. This is care.
Awns - the underestimated risk
This is the topic that most dog owners don't know about. Awns are the sharp seed heads of certain grasses – shaped like small barbed arrows. They can attach to fur and burrow into the skin, ears, or paws. Unlike a splinter, they don't come out on their own – they migrate deeper and cause inflammation and abscesses (painful pus accumulations in the tissue).
After walks in long grass: always check paws, ears, and fur. Especially between the toes.
Parasites in the grass
Grass can contain eggs of intestinal parasites left by other animals. This is no cause for panic, but a good reason for regular deworming and consistent parasite checks.
When to see the vet?
Occasional grass eating – no problem. But in the following cases, it's better to see a vet:
• The dog eats a lot of grass daily with great urgency and vomits regularly afterward.
• Simultaneously, other symptoms such as diarrhea, lethargy (marked tiredness and lack of drive), or loss of appetite.
• Suspicion of awn injury – indicated by limping, head shaking, constant licking of one spot.
• The dog may have eaten treated grass – signs of poisoning: vomiting, trembling, stumbling.
What zeolite does here
Zeolite is not a remedy for grass eating – nor should it be. Eating grass is natural. It is instinct. It is good.
But anyone who eats grass inevitably also eats soil, bacteria, sometimes parasite eggs, and other residues that adhere to the ground and grass. Zeolite binds exactly these substances – heavy metals, mycotoxins (toxic metabolic products of mold), ammonia (a pungent-smelling breakdown product of protein metabolism), and other pollutants – already in the intestine. Before they enter the bloodstream.
0.5% of the daily food intake. Simply mix it into the food. Ezra gets it daily – and still eats grass afterwards. But his gut is well supported. And I'm more relaxed about it.
What our customers have experienced
"My dog always eats grass and often had loose stools afterward. Since we started giving him zeolite, his digestion is much more stable – even on grass-eating days."
— Petra M. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"I always thought he ate grass because he was sick. Now I know: he just likes to. And with zeolite in his food, I'm more relaxed about it."
— Stefan K. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"We walk our dogs in the vineyards. And they eat the grass there. That gave me quite a headache, because you can smell how much they spray there. Our vet, who also lives there, recommended Steinkraft Zeolite to me. Easy to dose, everyone eats it without complaint."
— Sonja ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Frequent Questions
★ Why does my dog eat grass? Mostly out of instinct – dogs are predisposed to eat plant material. Sometimes they seek fiber, folic acid, or chlorophyll. Rarely because they feel sick.
★ Is eating grass dangerous? No – as long as the grass is untreated, free of pesticides or herbicides, and the dog appears healthy. Watch out for awns (sharp seed heads) after walks.
★ Should I let my dog eat grass? Yes – if the grass is clean. It's natural behavior. Don't try to break the habit.
★ Why does my dog vomit after eating grass? This happens to less than 25% of dogs. If it's regular and urgent – see a vet.
★ The stool is green or has grass blades in it after eating grass – is that normal? Yes. Dogs cannot digest grass – it comes out almost undigested. Just pack more bags for walks. 😄
★ What to do if your dog has eaten treated grass? Observe symptoms - vomiting, trembling, staggering are warning signs. See a vet immediately.
References
This article is not a substitute for veterinary advice. It is intended to inform and guide — not replace.
We have researched this thoroughly. There are many reports and veterinary articles on the topic.
| No. | Author/Year | Topic | Source |
| 1 | Hart & Tran (2008) | Plant eating in dogs and cats — instinct and self-medication | UC Davis / Applied Animal Behaviour Science |
| 2 | Sueda et al. (2008) | Characterisation of plant eating in dogs — survey of 1571 owners | Applied Animal Behaviour Science |
| 3 | Bjone et al. (2007) | Grass eating patterns in relation to gastrointestinal upsets in dogs | World Small Animal Veterinary Association |
| 4 | VCA Animal Hospitals | Why Dogs Eat Grass — veterinary overview | vcahospitals.com |
| 5 | AKC / Dr. Jerry Klein | Why Does My Dog Eat Grass? — Chief Veterinary Officer AKC | akc.org |
| 6 | Streatham Hill Vets (2026) | Why Do Dogs Eat Grass — A South London Vet's Guide | streathamhillvets.co.uk |
In Conclusion
We once lived next to vineyards south of Vienna. Our usual walk was a vineyard route - twice a day, always the same paths. And sometimes we smelled it. The pesticides. Heavy, chemical, unmistakable. And I thought: if I can smell it - what does Ezra smell? What does he ingest when he eats grass there?
That unsettled me. And it still does.
Ever since I learned that eating grass points to the dog's primal nature - that he no longer eats a whole animal with stomach contents, even though lamb and venison are his favorites, even if they come without stomach contents - I feel better about it. He seeks out what he needs. He knows what he needs. Nature takes its course. You don't have to force it - you can simply let it happen.
Trust nature. Trust the dog. And in Ezra's case - who excretes plant fibers almost undigested - simply pack several extra poop bags. That's part of it. That's also nature. 😄
Zeolite daily in his food. And then out. To the vineyard walk. Or to the Url - that's our stream. Or just the meadow around the corner.
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🔗 Testimonials from users
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About the author Michaela Schirmbrand-Pfeiffer Co-founder of STEINKRAFT Nature Rocks. She believes that healthy animals, healthy soils, and healthy people belong together — and that nature needs no shortcuts. Ezra, her Labrador Retriever, is her daily practical test. He loves streams, hates watering cans, and takes a break after three balls. We really love our planet. 🐾 |
