If you’ve ever caught your dog eating grass, you may have been a bit concerned. Your dog isn’t a cow, so why is he or she eating grass?

The first thing to keep in mind is to not panic. Dogs eating grass is quite common, and some veterinarians consider it normal dog behavior. However, this topic is still debated, and there is not one solid answer as to why dogs do this.

There are a couple of theories as to why dogs eat grass:

• Upset stomach. A common theory says that dogs who are not feeling well will graze on grass to induce vomiting.
• Boredom. If your dog is feeling bored and decides to eat grass, try exercising and walking with him or her more.
• Hunger. Some dogs may be treating grass as a snack!
• Nutritional deficiency. Another theory says that grass satisfies some nutritional deficiency; however, dogs lack the enzymes needed to break down grass and receive its potential nutrients.

Most experts agree that nibbling on grass isn’t harmful to your dog, but dogs should not be grazing if there are herbicides or pesticides on your lawn. While the grass itself may not be damaging, these chemicals can be toxic.