We mostly know that all dogs tend to love meat above all else, that’s why it can be somewhat concerning to see your German Shepherd chowing down on some grass.
Don’t worry though, it’s perfectly normal.
After all, dogs actually favor a more varied diet as they are omnivores as opposed to people often considering them carnivores.
While not fully confirmed, it’s believed that this stems from their lupine ancestors who had an adaptable metabolism.[1]
This grazing allowed them to survive longer periods without prey by providing them with the requisite fiber so that their bellies would feel full for longer periods of time.
Though that isn’t the only reason modern dogs do it, especially considering their dietary needs are mostly covered.
Let’s find out why they’re doing it nowadays then.
1. They Want To Diversify Their Diet
While this reason may make you think that you may not be feeding your German Shepherd the balanced diet that he needs, it’s far from that.
Your dog may have just gotten a bit peckish and is looking to grab a slight, low calorie snack to balance out his recent meal and help it digest properly.
You can usually recognize this if you see him taking his time to graze and thoroughly chew the grass.
2. It’s A Sign That He’s Missing Fiber In His Diet
Another common reason behind GSD grazing is that he’s trying to supplement fiber in his diet which may be lacking it for one reason or another.
Maybe the new food you put him on lacks it and he’s trying to make up for it the only way that he can.
While this can be hard to determine on your own, if you see him grazing often, especially after a meal, then you may want to check a German Shepherd feeding chart.
It’ll help you math out whether he’s getting enough fiber through his current diet or if you need to make a few changes to make up for it.
Whether said change is adding some raw fiber sources on top of his existing food and adjusting for added calories, or if it’s a whole new diet altogether is up to you.
3. They’re Doing It To Pass The Time
If your dog finds himself out of things to do or he’s bored with his current activity, he may take some time to just chew on some grass for the hell of it.
It’s similar to us chewing gum or gnawing on a straw when we’re just looking to occupy ourselves with something simple just so we can focus on something.
To some German Shepherds, it’s a relaxing activity and they find satisfaction in it, and who are we to stop them?
It’s a harmless pastime and, as long as there are no adverse effects to it, you don’t need to worry about it.
Though, it is a sign that you may need to add a bit more variance to his usual routine to keep him both physically and mentally satisfied.
4. There’s Something Upsetting His Stomach
The final reason revolves around something a bit more concerning than the other reasons, and that’s a potential health issue in his gut.
You know how I mentioned that dogs chew their grass thoroughly if they’re trying to consume it for fiber?
Well, if your German Shepherd doesn’t chew his grass and just swallows it, chances are likely that he’s trying to irritate his bowels to induce vomiting.
He does this because there’s something on the inside that’s upsetting his stomach and he wants to get it out.
Whether it was some bad food that he ate that may be giving him poisoning or some sort of parasite like a bad case of worms, he’ll do it all the same.
If your GSD does this often and it’s followed by other concerning signs, take him to a vet so you can determine the cause of the issue and, hopefully, treat it.
Once the problem has been removed, his grass eating tendencies should simmer down significantly.
Is Your German Shepherd Eating Grass Something You Should Be Concerned About?
It depends on the reason behind it, the frequency, and the area where he does it.
If he’s only doing it every now and then without it resulting in vomiting, then you should be fine.
If he does it often and there’s frequent diarrhea or vomiting, then you should get him checked.
If there’s no vomiting but he still does it a bit too frequently, then you may need to spice up his free time with some more activities.
The area aspect is somewhat specific because not all grass is safe to consume.
For instance, if he’s doing it in your yard, chances are it’s likely safe.
However if he’s doing it in a park where all sorts of cats and dogs frequent, there may be increased chances of him contracting some form of intestinal parasite.
So, avoid it in questionably hygienic areas if you can.
Also, if the patch of grass is frequently exposed to various chemicals, be it from car exhaust fumes, waste or pesticides[2], it’s safe to say that he should be kept away from such surfaces.
In Conclusion
So, German Shepherds can indeed eat grass as they are omnivores by nature, despite appearances.
They’ll do it either to supplement fiber in their diets, as a way to pass the time or to induce vomiting due to a health issue relating to the gut.
In most cases, the act should be harmless, but special care should be taken to not let him graze grass that was potentially affected by pesticides or dog poop.
Areas where other animals frequently defecate should be avoided as well due to a potential parasite risk.
Other than that, you should be fine with just letting him take a few bites every now and then as long as you monitor his behavior to understand why he’s doing it.
Until next time, pet parents.
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References:
[1] Guido B., Esther A H.-P., Wouter H. H. (November, 2014.), Dietary nutrient profiles of wild wolves: insights for optimal dog nutrition?, DOI
[2] Zhong-Min Li, Morgan R., Kurunthachalam K. (September, 2014.), An assessment of exposure to several classes of pesticides in pet dogs and cats from New York, United States, DOI