Dr. Jerry Klein has almost 40 years of veterinary experience and serves as the American Kennel Club’s chief veterinarian.
Fox5 went to Dr. Here is what Klein told us in response to some frequently asked questions by dog owners:
A: Dogs eat leaves for a variety of reasons, including primal behavior (remember that dogs’ ancestors were omnivores and occasionally consumed grass and leaves), as the only way to make themselves throw up due to stomach discomfort (gastritis), and even out of boredom.
The consumption of a few leaves may not be harmful to a dog, especially if they are vomited, but excessive leaf consumption can cause blockage of the intestines and/or stomach.
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Is Eating Leaves or Grass a Problem?
The answer is a definite maybe. It really depends on your dog’s motivation for eating the leaves or grass as well as the kind of leaves or grass he is consuming. Your veterinarian should examine your dog if he is eating grass or leaves for any of the health reasons we’ve discussed.
But the type of leaves or grass he’s eating could also cause health problems. For example, if your dog eats grass after you’ve applied pesticides or herbicides to kill certain weeds, that could result in something known as organophosphate poisoning.
The first sign you typically notice when your dog consumes substances like that is typically excessive drooling. It’s best to keep your pet away from your yard if you know you’ve used these chemicals until they are absorbed. Without immediate medical attention, this type of toxicity can be fatal.
Moreover, there are also many plants that are toxic for your dog. The ASPCA has a list on its website of the plants that are toxic to dogs, cats, and other animals. The list is comprehensive and includes pictures as well as a hotline you can call if your dog has ingested one of these plants.
If your dog consumes a toxic plant, you may notice excessive drooling similar to when they consume a pesticide or herbicide. This may be followed by vomiting or even seizures. Call your veterinarian and bring your dog in right away if you believe this to have happened.
Tummy Discomfort
The relationship between stomach problems and consumption of plant material has been the subject of several studies. And the results have been on the positive side. Dogs who are experiencing digestive problems do have a tendency to eat things like leaves or grass.
They consume the leaves of these plants in order to vomit the poorly digested food out of their stomach. Consequently, there is a high likelihood that your dog will throw up after eating leaves.
These studies and their observations make it abundantly clear that dogs frequently eat leaves to relieve their stomach discomfort.
Dog Has Pica Condition
Dogs who have the medical condition pica frequently chew and eat food that is typically not considered to be edible. When suffering from Pica, they can eat anything, including cloth, paper, leaves, cable wires, and more.
If this serious health problem is not resolved right away, it may cause intestinal damage and even poisoning. Additionally, we have observed instances of dogs losing their appetite when afflicted with this problem. This alteration in their digestive processes may then result in health problems and nutritional problems.
Never be reluctant to consult your go-to veterinarian or canine trainer to manage Pica This problem poses a serious risk of contributing to a number of other health issues, such as intestinal blockage, excretory system damage, mouth ulcers, bad breath, etc.
FAQ
Do dogs eat leaves when they are sick?
Dogs will eat grass and leaves to get rid of their motion sickness. Your dog will frequently vomit after chomping on leaves and grass. To make themselves throw up and hopefully alleviate their sickness, they will eat the grass and leaves.
Why is my dog eating leaves and weeds?
Just like humans, dogs need plenty of vitamins and minerals. They may turn to grass as an additional source of fiber if they feel their owners aren’t giving it to them. As a sign of boredom, your dog may begin nibbling on the grass and weeds while playing outside or resting on a walk.
Why does my dog keep eating grass and leaves?
Dogs must consume roughage, and grass is an excellent source of fiber. Grass may actually improve the dog’s ability to digest food and pass stools because a lack of roughage impairs these processes.