Dogs are truly remarkable beings. Believe it or not, snacking on grass during a walk is not random behavior—it's a calculated choice to fulfill their needs. As their owner, the question stands: what needs aren't being met, and what can you do about it?
Let's dive deeper into why your dog eats grass and how you can help them get the nourishment they need to live a long, happy life.
1. They crave more fiber or nutrients
Dogs will instinctively search for these if there's a lack of them in their diet. And because grass is so easily accessible, that's what they turn to. Essentially, they self-treat or self-prescribe.
2. They're seeking out trace minerals
Dogs will also hunt down trace materials or specific fibers (AKA prebiotics) that they're not getting. In fact, dogs can sense these in certain grasses. Even though this isn't the ideal source of prebiotics, sometimes it's all they have access to.
3. They're overfed and undernourished
We have a saying at Gussy's Gut: "overfed and undernourished." Dogs will look for more nourishment, even if they just ate. The likely reason? There's not a tremendous amount of nutrient density, bioavailability, or absorbability in the food that they're eating.
That's why we recommend a raw food diet or a home-cooked meal as a base at the very minimum—because you can control the nutrient density, ingredients, and quality. At Gussy's Gut, our superfood supplements are bioavailable, with absorbable nutrient and fiber content. In other words, exactly what your dog needs to thrive.
4. They want to engage with you
If you play with or tease your dog around the grass eating behavior, they begin to associate it with a fun game, especially if they began eating it as a puppy. It's a form of engagement that lets them feel close to you—despite the fact that it's a less-than-optimal habit.
What can you do for your dog?
There's a common myth that dogs just like to eat grass. The truth is that grass eating is a choice—one that comes with limited options. If your dog is eating grass (and they don't vomit), they're doing so to gain something. And this is where you come in.
The best thing you can do for your best friend is to add fermented superfoods into their diet. It's easy to incorporate 100% fermented Youthful Grasses & Sprouts™ to both Boost™ and Sustain™. This superfood supplement is a healthy alternative to grass eating, and provides unparalleled chlorophyll, biophotonic energy, and valuable, hard-to-get nutrients.
There are massive nutritional differences between grass species for lawns and grasses for nutrition. We only select nutrient grasses like wheatgrass, alfalfa grass, and others that provide massive health benefits when consumed. These are much more beneficial than say, Bermuda grass that many have on their lawn. And ours is never sprayed with chemicals. In fact, they're certified organic.
Made with four nutritive grasses and three sprouts, this topper or mix-in can help improve your dog's well-being, sleep, coat and skin, and neurological function within 90 days. And when paired with our Boost™ and Sustain™ blends, the possibilities are endless.
Choose fermented superfoods—and watch your dog become their happiest, healthiest self.
