Dog grass refers to two distinct concepts that often cause confusion for pet owners. The first is a commercial product consisting of real, growing grass sold in a tray, marketed either as a specialized pet toilet or a dietary supplement. The second, and more common, meaning relates to the behavioral habit of dogs consuming the ordinary turf found in yards and parks. Understanding the difference between this intentional product and the instinctual behavior clarifies the role of grass in a dog’s life.
Defining the Product and Its Varieties
Commercial pet grass is typically cultivated from cereal grain seeds, most commonly wheatgrass, oat grass, barley, or a blend of these varieties. These grasses are young, tender shoots, which are botanically different from the tough, mature blades of lawn turf like fescue or Bermuda grass. Wheatgrass, derived from the sprouts of the common wheat plant (Triticum aestivum), is a particularly popular choice for its purported health benefits.
This specialized grass is often grown hydroponically or in a nutrient-rich soil base, ensuring it is free from the pesticides and herbicides found on many outdoor lawns. The nutritional profile of these young grasses is dense, offering high concentrations of chlorophyll, which is known for its deodorizing and potential detoxification properties.
They also contain a range of vitamins, including A, C, E, and K, along with essential minerals like iron, calcium, and magnesium. The high dietary fiber content aids in digestive health, helping to regulate bowel movements and serving as a natural source of roughage.
Primary Uses of Dog Grass
The commercial dog grass product serves two primary functional roles for pet owners. It is used as a natural, disposable indoor potty solution, particularly beneficial for apartment dwellers and dogs with limited backyard access. This living grass pad provides a familiar and appealing surface that dogs instinctively recognize as a suitable place to eliminate.
The root structure and soil layer within these grass trays possess natural moisture and odor-absorbing capabilities, which biologically process urine. This mechanism is significantly more effective at neutralizing the ammonia in urine than synthetic pads or artificial turf, reducing the need for constant cleaning and chemical deodorizers. The second use is as a dietary and digestive aid, encouraging dogs to graze on a safe, clean source of greens to satisfy an instinctual craving for vegetation.
Why Dogs Eat Common Lawn Grass
The habit of dogs consuming common lawn grass, known scientifically as pica when related to non-food items, is observed in many dogs, with some surveys suggesting up to 80% of owners report seeing it. Scientific research points to several potential reasons for this ingestion of untreated, outdoor turf.
One prominent theory suggests that dogs may be instinctively seeking to supplement a nutrient deficiency, most often a lack of dietary fiber. For a small subset of dogs, increasing the fiber content in their regular commercial diet has been shown to resolve the grass-eating behavior entirely.
Another long-held belief is that dogs eat grass to induce vomiting when they have an upset stomach, although studies show that only a small percentage of dogs appear ill before eating grass, and most do not vomit afterward. A simpler explanation suggests that for many dogs, grass-eating is merely a normal, innate behavior inherited from their wild canid ancestors, who consume small amounts of plant matter incidentally or due to boredom.
Care and Safety Considerations
When utilizing commercial dog grass or allowing outdoor grazing, owners must prioritize safety and proper maintenance. For tray-based products, the grass requires regular attention, including watering to keep the root system alive and placing the tray in an area with sufficient light. The lifespan of a commercial grass pad is limited, usually lasting between two to four weeks depending on the frequency of use, before it must be replaced to maintain hygiene and odor control.
The most serious safety concern involves the consumption of outdoor turf, which is often treated with chemicals. Herbicides, pesticides, and synthetic fertilizers can be toxic if ingested. Owners should avoid letting their dogs graze on any grass where chemical treatments have been applied, and it is recommended to wait at least 48 hours after application before allowing the dog back onto the lawn.
Wiping a dog’s paws and coat upon returning from a walk is also advised to prevent tracking chemical residues indoors, where they can be inadvertently ingested during grooming.