Student Article
Why Dogs Eat Grass (and Sometimes Poop): Strange but True!
Displacement (noun): A reaction where one action replaces another due to mixed feelings.
Digestion (noun): How the body breaks down food.
Fiber (noun): A part of food that helps with healthy digestion.
Coprophagia (noun): The act of eating feces.
Dogs are lovable — but they sure have some weird eating habits.
Why do dogs eat grass?
Dogs might eat grass for many reasons, and scientists still don’t know for sure why. One idea is that it’s a “displacement behavior,” meaning the dog feels two things at once — like stress and boredom — and chooses a different action, like chewing grass, to cope.
Could it be for attention? Another idea?
Dogs might be asking for attention. If you rush over when they eat grass, they might learn that this is a good way to get noticed. Or maybe they’re just bored and need something to do. Is it about digestion? Some scientists think dogs eat grass to help their digestion or add more fiber to their diet. However, there’s no strong proof for that. One study found most dogs aren’t even sick after eating grass — only 22% vomit afterward.
Why do dogs eat poop?
This behavior, called coprophagia, might start in puppyhood. Puppies explore by tasting everything — including poop. It doesn’t gross them out like it does humans. Interestingly, how an owner reacts might make things worse. If you rush to stop your dog from eating poop, your dog may think, “This must be important!” and try harder to get to it. So, experts suggest staying calm and not drawing attention to the behavior.
© Thomas Ling / Our Media
Displacement (noun): A reaction where one action replaces another due to mixed feelings.
Digestion (noun): How the body breaks down food.
Fiber (noun): A part of food that helps with healthy digestion.
Coprophagia (noun): The act of eating feces.