Cats and dogs eating grass: Vet Nurse shares all you need to know about this behaviour

This summer season, we may be enjoying more of the great outdoors with our furry friends, with cats sunbathing in high spots, to dogs resting in shady patches of grass in the garden.  

You may notice your cat or your dog munching on grass, and vet charity PDSA are sharing all you need to know about why grass might be appealing! 

Cats eating grass 

PDSA Vet Nurse Nina Downing says: "You may be curious as to why your pet cat may like to eat grass as they are 'obligate carnivores', which in simple terms, means they need to eat meat to get all the nutrients they require to stay healthy. Generally speaking, they will pass up eating any fruit or vegetables, in favour of meat, so it's understandable why owners may be concerned about their cat eating grass!  

"Eating grass is perfectly safe for your cat and surprisingly, many cats may enjoy snacking on grass from time to time. Whilst it's not completely understood why cats might want to eat grass, there are a few theories behind it. These include theories showing that grass may help your cat's digestive system by helping to expel hairballs, and that grass contains nutrients that your cat needs in their diet, such as folic acid. Feeding your cat a complete diet will ensure they aren't missing any essential nutrients in their diet. However, it could just be that your cat likes the taste and texture!  

Dogs eating grass 

"It's a common misconception amongst dog owners that if your dog eats grass, it's because they feel unwell and are about to vomit. Some people even think it's because they are missing something out of their diet – such as important nutrients - but these are in fact myths. 

"Dogs are omnivores, meaning that they eat both meat and plants. Eating grass is completely normal behaviour for dogs, and some choose to snack on it simply because they enjoy the taste, especially if another animal has left their scent behind!  

"Another reason your dog might be eating grass is because they are bored. In which case you'll need to look into what you can do to prevent boredom - maybe going for longer, or more frequent walks, playing with them both indoors and outdoors, or by providing games for mental stimulation such as a food puzzle.  

What to be aware of  

Check the grass - You should keep your cat and dog well away from grass that has been treated with fertilisers, herbicides or pesticides as these can be very harmful. Also make sure they're not going to nibble on any other greenery or flowers which could be poisonous. If your cat particularly likes grass, you could try growing a tray of grass inside your home to try and discourage eating outside to avoid any of these nasties.  

Grass seeds - More commonly associated as an issue with dogs, you'll also need to be careful of grass seeds found in long grass with cats too, particularly in the summer months. Grass seeds can get stuck in eyes, ears, skin and paws and cause problems for your pet. If you think your cat or dog has a grass seed stuck somewhere, contact your vet. The sooner you get it removed, the less of a problem it's likely to cause.  

Keep the grass short - There is a small risk that long blades of grass can get stuck in the nose and throat causing irritation – try and avoid your cat or dog eating long blades, or keep the grass trimmed short to reduce this risk. 

Lungworm - can be passed on by slugs and snails found in grass. Make sure your dog's de-worming products include lungworm protection. There are many different products on the market, your vet will be able to recommend the best one to use for your dog.  

Nina adds: "Whilst eating grass may just be normal for your cat or your dog, watch out for any other signs they may be feeling under the weather, or excessive grass eating could be a cause for concern. If you are worried about your pet, have a chat to your vet." 

For more pet safety information and advice, head to PDSA's website: www.pdsa.org.uk/phh