Ezra stops. In the middle of a walk. Head down, nose in the long, soft grass. He sniffs. Suckles on it a bit. And then – he eats it. Long, soft, fresh grass.
And sometimes he comes to me afterwards. 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 owns 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 anyway?
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 dog behaviors – and one of the most misunderstood.
Eating grass even has its own technical term: pica (the tendency to eat non-food substances). That 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's 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're sick.
Myth 2: He eats grass to throw up
Less than 25% of dogs vomit after eating grass. Ezra never does. For him, everything takes its normal course – sometimes with mom's help at the other end. What really makes him vomit is when he eats bones too greedily and too quickly. Then they come back up 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 intestines that processes food) and cause real injuries – that always requires a vet visit.
Myth 3: Eating grass is a sign of nutrient deficiency
Even dogs with 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 train him to stop
Veterinarians explicitly do not recommend this. Behavior modification of natural instincts can do more harm than good. As long as the grass is untreated and the dog appears healthy – just let it be.
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 one reason. There are several – and they are fascinating.
Ancient instinct
Dogs are not true carnivores (pure meat-eaters) – but neither are they true omnivores (all-eaters). Their wild ancestors ate their prey whole – including the stomach contents of the prey animal, which often contained plant material. Studies show that 11-47% of wolves eat grass. The instinct is deeply ingrained – even if Ezra is no longer a wolf.
Prof. Benjamin Hart from the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine (one of the most renowned veterinary faculties in the USA) also suspects that eating grass originally helped expel intestinal parasites (nematodes, small roundworms that live in the intestines). 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 rarely found in meat), chlorophyll (the green plant pigment that has mild anti-inflammatory effects and can freshen breath), as well as calcium, potassium, and zinc.
Ezra first sniffs – licks a bit – and then decides. This is not blind instinct. This is a dog looking for the fresh young grass that contains the most chlorophyll. He knows what he wants.
Stomach upset – but less often than thought
Sometimes dogs do eat grass when their stomach isn't quite settled – bile reflux (the backflow of bile into the empty stomach, which causes discomfort early in the 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 a sickness. It's a 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 diminishes. 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 doesn't 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 move 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's part of their well-being.
What's really 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 poisonous to dogs. Public lawns, golf courses, well-maintained parks – always keep this in mind. In a meadow or by 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 such as zinc, lead, and cadmium. Exhaust fumes also accumulate in the soil. Road salt spread in winter remains in the soil and grass for a long time. Municipalities regularly spray sidewalks 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 leave behind parasite eggs and bacteria.
This does not mean that city grass is generally forbidden. But it does mean: be alert. Prefer known clean meadows. And add zeolite to food daily - because what Ezra picked up on the vineyard walk, the city dog picks up on the park strip. Zeolite binds heavy metals, mycotoxins, and other pollutants already 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 most dog owners are unaware of. Awns are the sharp seed heads of certain grasses – shaped like small barbed arrows. They can attach to fur and burrow into 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 collections 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 regularly vomits afterward
• Simultaneously other symptoms such as diarrhea, lethargy (noticeable 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, staggering
What Zeolite does here
Zeolite is not a remedy for grass eating – and it shouldn't be. Grass eating is natural. It's instinct. It's good.
But anyone who eats grass inevitably also eats earth, bacteria, sometimes parasite eggs, and other residues that cling to the ground and grass. Zeolite binds exactly these substances – heavy metals, mycotoxins (toxic metabolic products of molds), 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 amount. Simply mix it into the food. Ezra gets it daily – and still eats grass afterward. But his intestines are 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 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 enjoys it. 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 a lot of headaches because you can smell how much they spray there. Our vet, who also lives there, recommended Steinkraft Zeolite to me. Easy to dose, all dogs eat it without complaint."
— Sonja ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Frequently Asked Questions
★ Why does my dog eat grass? Mostly out of instinct – dogs are wired to eat plant material. Sometimes they seek fiber, folic acid, or chlorophyll. Rarely because they're sick.
★ Is eating grass dangerous? No – as long as the grass is untreated, has no pesticides or herbicides on it, 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 stop it.
★ Why does my dog vomit after eating grass? This only happens to less than 25% of dogs. If it happens regularly and with urgency, consult a vet.
★ Is it normal for their poop to be green or contain blades of grass after eating grass? Yes. Dogs cannot digest grass, so it comes out almost undigested. Just pack more bags for walks. 😄
★ What to do if your dog has eaten treated grass? Observe for symptoms – vomiting, trembling, and staggering are warning signs. See a vet immediately.
References
This article does not replace veterinary advice. It is intended to inform and guide—not to replace.
We have researched this extensively. 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 |
Finally
We once lived next to vineyards south of Vienna. Our usual walk was through the vineyards – 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 made me uneasy. And it still does.
Ever since I learned that eating grass points to the primal nature of dogs – that he no longer eats a whole animal with stomach contents, even though lamb and venison are his favorites, even without stomach contents – I feel better about it. He seeks what he lacks. He knows what he needs. What is natural happens on its own. You don't have to force it – you can just let it happen.
Trust nature. Trust the dog. And in Ezra's case – who passes plant fibers almost undigested – just pack several extra poop bags. That's part of it. That's also nature. 😄
Zeolite daily with food. And then out. To the vineyard walk. Or to the Url – that's our stream. Or simply the meadow around the corner.
Read more – you might also be interested in:
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🔗 Zeolite for dogs – effects, application, experience
🔗 User testimonials
🔗 🐕 Effects, application, experience – Overview & Guide to Zeolite for Dogs
🔗 🐕 Dosage and application of Steinkraft Zeolite in dogs. A guide for dog lovers.
🔗 Questions about Zeolite and their answers on our FAQ page
🔗 What is Zeolite? – Origin, effects & why quality is crucial
🔗 About us - This is Steinkraft Zeolite
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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 practice test. He loves streams, hates watering cans, and takes a break after three balls. We really love our planet. 🐾 |
