Why Do Dogs Eat Grass (and Vomit)?
Is your dog eating grass? And then vomiting yellow bile? Often dog owners wonder, "why is my dog eating grass?" Some dogs enjoy a little vegetation to munch on. But many times, dogs are eating grass due to an upset stomach. Here are some common reasons why your dog might be eating grass:
- Some dogs simply like the taste of grass
- Eating grass may be a way to fulfill an unmet nutritional need, such as fiber, vitamins or minerals
- Eating grass may be a dog's attempt to induce vomit or calm an upset stomach
Is Your Dog Eating Grass and Throwing Up Frequently?
If your dog is frequently eating grass and then vomiting, its different than just occasionally nibbling. Much of the time when dogs are eating grass frequently, it is due to painful acid reflux or an upset stomach. Pet owners may not realize their dog is experiencing discomfort. To better understand why your dog is eating grass, ask yourself the following questions:
- Is your dog eating grass frantically?
- When you go on a walk, does your dog pull toward the tall grass to eat it?
- Is your dog up in the middle of the night, frantically wanting to eat grass?
- Does your dog eat grass and then vomit afterward?
- Is your dog vomiting frequently, or is your dog vomiting grass and bile?
Some grazing on grass is natural for a dog, but when they are eating grass frantically, especially in the middle of the night, this is usually a sign of acid stomach or digestive problems. Many times dogs eat grass as a way to make themselves vomit too. If you notice your dog eating grass frequently or eating a lot of grass, then it's important to watch for other signs of digestive problems. Many pet owners don't realize that their pets may be in pain from acid stomach. Restoring the gut flora that leads to a healthy digestive tract is key to relieving your pet’s painful symptoms. Using gentle yet effective all natural supplements can help your dog and eventually stop them from eating grass.
Is Your Dog Eating Grass Frantically?
"When we rescued our husky, Roo, we quickly noticed he had little appetite and would gag when drinking water. Despite his love for running, which was his greatest joy, he would often pull us to the meadow to eat grass frantically. We soon realized that Roo's running was triggering his acid reflux, making his stomach upset and leading to the excessive grass eating. To address this, we began feeding Roo smaller meals throughout the day and added Power Probiotic, Gastro ULC, Soothing Digestive Relief, and K9 Digestive Enzymes to his diet. Mixed with his raw food and goat milk, these changes significantly reduced his grass eating and eliminated his morning bile vomiting. We're thrilled to see Roo run happily without the distress of acid reflux. " - The Davis Family, California
Stomach Acid & Acid Reflux In Dogs:
How Is It Related To Grass Eating?
Many pet owners are puzzled by their dog's behavior of eating grass, often wondering if there's a connection to their digestive health. One common cause of this behavior is acid reflux or acid stomach, which can lead to discomfort and a strong urge to consume grass. Acid reflux and acid stomach in dogs are painful conditions. Acid collects in the stomach and irritates the stomach lining and esophagus. Over time, the stomach acid can wear away tissue in the esophagus, causing open sores or ulcers, which can bleed and make swallowing difficult. Acid reflux causes painful symptoms and may lead your dog to seek relief through grass eating. Other symptoms of acid reflux may include:
- Lack of appetite, especially in the morning
- Throwing up yellow bile or foam
- Coughing, gulping or loud gurgling noises
- Regurgitation noises, burping and gagging
- Hunching over after eating
- Licking or smacking of the lips
- Panting a few hours after meals
- Lick Fits (frantic licking of floors, walls, grass, dirt)
What to Do If Your Dog is Frequently Eating Grass and Vomiting
To help stop your dog from eating grass, consider using natural supplements and adjusting their diet and feeding routine. Start by providing smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day and consider raw frozen diets, raw goat milk or raw freeze-dried snacks, which can help coat their stomach and provide soothing relief. A hypoallergenic diet can also help reduce any potential allergens that might be irritating their digestive system. Feed your dog about an hour before engaging in activities to prevent them from heading out with an empty stomach. Additionally, incorporating natural remedies such as acid reducers, probiotics, and digestive enzymes can further support their digestive health and reduce the urge to eat grass.
Power Probiotic - Power Probiotic is a multi-strain probiotic, backed by research and proven to help your dog's digestive symptoms. It’s pure, safe, natural and third-party tested. One reason dogs eat grass is because they have an upset stomach, so using Power Probiotic will help soothe their tummies and restore a normal balance of flora. Most dogs love the taste. Giving Power Probiotic with a snack before bedtime can help prevent your dog from vomiting bile in the morning.
Gastro ULC Acid Relief Formula - Gastro-ULC relieves stomach acid pain and GERD symptoms quickly. This tried and true stomach acid reducer for dogs helps to soothe and repair the stomach lining. It includes natural ingredients like DGL, mastic gum and l-glutamine which can help relieve stomach acid pain and discomfort. Mastic gum has been shown to be helpful in reducing excess bile within the stomach and intestines. Many pet owners report that after giving Gastro-ULC and Power Probiotic, their pet stopped eating grass and vomiting.
Soothing Digestive Relief Formula - Soothing Digestive Relief is formulated to aid in the breakdown of food in your dog's stomach, improving digestion. This acid reducer for dogs contains scientifically proven ingredients, such as papaya leaf and marshmallow root, to protect and soothe the mucosal membrane in the stomach and digestive tract. It can be particularly beneficial for dogs that eat grass excessively as it helps reduce the risk of regurgitation and acid reflux. It helps with gas, upset tummy, diarrhea and malabsorption.
 K9 Digestive Enzymes - Helps to maintain normal digestive function. Since acid reflux is caused by poor digestion, it is essential to use a digestive enzyme for increased absorption of proteins and fats. Contains pancreatin, ox bile and HCL. An adequate level of hydrochloric acid (HCL) is essential for proper functioning of the digestive system. It activates the digestive enzymes that break down foods. An optimal level of stomach acid can keep the digestive system free of bacteria, yeast and parasites.
Max
"My 9 year old Welsh Springer Spaniel mix, Max, didn't have much of an appetite and would frequently vomit. He would often rush out to eat grass and then vomit afterwards. I was worried because he was thin and seemed so uncomfortable. I followed the Ask Ariel program and changed his diet while using supplements such as Gastro ULC and Power Probiotic. I really wasn't expecting much because I had made prior changes before that hadn’t worked. Within just a few days, Max improved. He no longer was interested in eating grass and his vomiting stopped. Max is now at a healthy weight and it is so nice to see him so happy to see his meals." - Karen, California
The Best Diet for a Dog That Eats Grass and Vomits
Dogs that eat grass and vomit yellow bile may benefit from being fed small, more frequent meals throughout the day, with a small snack at bedtime to help manage their symptoms. Consider offering a snack such as a raw freeze-dried patty with raw goat milk. It’s also helpful to use novel proteins like rabbit or venison if your dog has sensitivities to common proteins like poultry and beef. Additionally, limiting dry food - which is often high in hard-to-digest carbohydrates such as legumes or grains - can reduce digestive discomfort. Opt for easily digestible treats, such as raw freeze-dried snacks, and avoid undigestible chews like rawhide to further support your dog's digestive health. Changing your dog's diet, adding a few supplements to support digestion and feeding smaller meals throughout the day can help reduce grass eating.
What To Do If Your Dog Vomits Yellow Bile After Eating Grass
Some dogs eat grass and vomit yellow bile and foam. Bile is acidic and can irritate the stomach. It appears as a yellowish foamy substance. Bile is produced by the liver and is squirted into the intestines to help with digestion of fats and protein. When a dog is throwing up bile regularly, it can end up in the stomach, causing irritation. If your dog eats grass and then starts throwing up yellow foam regularly, please take your dog to the veterinarian for a check up. Finding the root cause of why your dog is eating grass and vomiting yellow bile is important to bringing your pet fast relief. Basic laboratory tests for your dog (e.g., blood panel and urine analysis) will provide valuable information, as grass eating and vomiting bile can be a symptom of a more serious health condition such as pancreatitis, kidney or liver disease.
Learn More About Dog Digestive Problems
Originally published Dec 11, 2023
Updated August 15, 2024
Written by: Susan Davis, Pet Health Nutritionist, CCN
All pet treatment protocols and pet treatment supplements have been reviewed and approved by a veterinarian
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