Why do Chihuahuas eat grass? Many a dog owner has wondered about this at some point or another.
Many dogs, not just Chihuahuas, eat grass but when a dog does it for the first time, it can be a matter of concern to a pet parent.
Thankfully, most eating grass habit in dogs has a simple explanation: an upset stomach or indigestion. Some Chihuahuas eat grass to vomit out undigested food and soothe and settle their tummies.
In most cases, grass-eating in dogs usually should not be a cause for concern and one need not worry too much about it.
Let us find out more about the reasons why Chihuahuas eat grass.
Why Do Chihuahuas Eat Grass? (The Short Answer)
Most Chihuahuas eat grass when they want to vomit out undigested food.
Your Chi might have an upset tummy or indigestion and eating grass helps soothe it and also allows it to bring out the ‘bad stuff’.
You might have noticed your Chi vomiting right after eating grass. This helps your pet bring out the undigested food bits and bile. Most Chihuahuas eat grass to settle their tummies.
In the next section, we will study in detail why Chihuahuas eat grass.
Why Do Chihuahuas Eat Grass? (The Longer Answer)
Many different factors can trigger grass eating in Chihuahuas:
1. For fiber and roughage
If you are like most Chihuahua parents, you are probably feeding your pet a diet higher in proteins.
This is right thing to do. After all; our dogs are carnivores and they need protein from animal sources.
However, from time to time, Chihuahuas (and all dogs) also need fiber. If your pet’s dog food is not providing them with this nutrient, it might resort to eating grass.
Grass is rich in fiber and your Chi might use it as a “salad” to supplement its meals. Grass could stimulate digestive enzymes and improve your dog’s digestive health.
Grass also provides plenty of roughage to dogs. Just like humans, dogs need roughage to stay regular. Vets also recommend roughage to dogs to help regulate their digestion.
If your Chihuahua is eating grass, it probably needs the roughage to eliminate that stubborn intestinal blockage from its bowels.
2. To make up for poor diet
Some Chihuahuas also eat grass simply because their diet may be of poor quality or low-quality. It could be that your pet isn’t getting all the nourishment it needs from its dog food.
That is why it might resort to grass eating habit to get nutrition. Pet grass and wheat grass contain protein, vitamins, and fiber. If your pet isn’t getting adequate nutrition from its dog food, then it might look to pet grass for fulfilling those nutritional deficiencies.
3. To induce vomiting
This is the most likely reason why do Chihuahuas eat grass. If your pet has eaten something bad or spoilt or is simply feeling unwell, then grass can help bring that ‘bothersome stuff’ out.
Your Chi will chew and chew on grass, swallow it, and then start to regurgitate. It might squeeze its tummy several times and even make weird noises as it tries to bring out partially-digested grass, bile, digestive enzymes, and other bits of undigested foods.
This is a method dogs and cats use to feel better when they have an upset stomach. Worry not: your tiny dog is equipped to handle this and can regulate its digestion well.
4. For distraction and entertainment (psychological reasons)
Many Chihuahuas simply eat grass when they are bored, lonely, or if they suffer from separation anxiety. If you leave your Chihuahua outdoors in the yard or garden and there is plenty of fresh grass available there, then it might eat grass simply as a means of distracting itself.
Grass eating could provide your Chihuahua with solace and comfort as the chewing action helps take its mind off fear. In case your Chi feels lonely and does not have toys and puzzles to stimulate it, then it might eat grass as a means of entertainment.
5. Intestinal parasites
We deworm our Chihuahua every 4 to 6 months. I have noticed that just before her deworming is due, she tends to eat a lot of grass.
After her deworming, her grass eating subsides. I have not seen worms in my pet’s feces and I am sure she has none.
However, I have always noticed that deworming usually helps curb her habit of excess grass eating. This may not be the case for all dogs – so always follow the deworming schedule your vet has recommended. (It is also true that vets recommend deworming after a dog has eaten grass to prevent intestinal parasites).
6. For its taste
Some Chihuahuas eat grass – especially fresh and tender grass that grows after the rains – for its delicious taste. Your pet might enjoy the delicate shoots as a pre-meal salad!
Why Do Chihuahuas Eat Grass and Vomit?
Chihuahuas often suffer from stomach upset and indigestion. This breed is inherently quite sensitive and known to have food intolerances and allergies.
Your Chihuahua might eat grass to settle its stomach. When a dog has an upset stomach, it has a flare up of stomach acids causing upheaval in its tummy.
To feel better, your Chi might chew on the grass blades for soothing relief. This relief is not long-lasting since most Chis regurgitate the stuff out.
The partially digested grass is covered in bile and stomach acids and that might help your little dog feel a a bit better.
Why do Chihuahuas Eat Grass and Bark?
Your Chihuahua might suddenly be obsessed with eating grass and might even bark after doing so! This might seem like a very peculiar dog’s behavior but there may be a reason.
The simplest reason is that your dog needs fiber or roughage in its diet.
The fiber or roughage in grass can help your Chihuahua pass stools easily. Its barking might be an excited bark or even a bark of relief after vomiting or having a bowel movement.
Sometimes, a Chi might bark after eating too much grass too quickly due to pain or abdominal discomfort.
In most cases, your Chi might eat grass frantically and in large quantities to overcome nutritional deficiencies resulting from low-quality diets.
If your pet continues eating grass and vomiting every day, please see your vet. Some GI issues like gastric reflux, IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) or pancreatitis could also cause grass-eating followed by barking.
Most grass-eating behavior stops in a couple of days. (I have noticed this in my Chihuahua. She eats grass for a couple of days and then stops and goes without eating grass for months!).
Why Do Chihuahuas Eat Grass After it Rains?
When it rains, lawn grass tends to grow to a good length of 3 to 6 inches. Grass grows brilliantly after rainfall since rainwater releases nitrogen into the soil and adds beneficial microbes as well.
Grass pulls up these nutrients from its roots resulting in shoots that are delicate and tender. Probably this tender grass tastes delicious to dogs!
Where we live, the grass in our Dog Park is dry and yellow during the warmer months. After the first rains, the fresh grass shoots are extremely alluring for my Chihuahua.
Perhaps dogs simply love these tasty, delicate shoots compared to the dried, tasteless, and old shoots in summers.
And that is why you might find your Chihuahua going after grass after it has rained!
What to Do if Your Chihuahua Eats Grass?
I let my Chihuahua eat grass and some vets advise it as well.
It is a dog’s natural instinct for regulating its digestion. I simply let my dog eat grass and wait for her to regurgitate it. She usually either vomits afterward or has a bowel movement.
Make sure that your pet is otherwise healthy, eating normally, having regular bowel movements, and at a healthy weight.
If you notice any other symptoms like loss of appetite, pain, discomfort, changes in bowel movements, or weight loss, then please see your vet.
If your Chi eats grass regularly, it is at a risk to developing parasites and intestinal worms. Therefore, you must deworm your Chihuahua as per the schedule given by your vet.
Should a Pet Owner Let Their Chihuahua Eat Grass?
This is a highly debatable topic.
Some vets recommend letting dogs eat grass as it helps add roughage or fiber to their diet and regulates their digestion.
Others recommend preventing dog eating grass since it could increase a dog’s risk of getting worms or intestinal parasites. Moreover, eating grass could also expose your Chihuahua to toxic chemicals, fertilizers, and pesticides sprayed in the garden.
That is why it is very important to only let your Chi eat grass in unsprayed or untreated parts of your lawn.
If your Chi is otherwise healthy, a bit of grass eating habit is OK. In case your Chi shows signs of discomfort like pain, distress, lack of appetite, etc. then please see your vet to rule out major health problems.
What Should I Feed my Chihuahua to Add Fiber or Roughage to its Diet?
Here are some ways to enhance your Chihuahua’s fiber intake:
1. Beet pulp
Many high-fiber dog food/kibble contain beet pulp. It is a great way to enhance your Chi’s fiber intake.
2. Pumpkin puree
Simply add a teaspoon of pureed pumpkin or canned pumpkin to your Chi’s dog food. This can help add fiber and roughage and keep your Chi full and regular in bowel movements too.
3. Ground flaxseeds
I add a teaspoon of ground flaxseeds to my Chi’s homemade dog food. I roast the seeds slightly and then grind them in a coffee grinder. Then I sprinkle a teaspoon of it on my pet’s food. Flax seeds are also a great source of omega fatty acids.
4. Apples and carrots
Apples and carrots will not only provide your Chi with fiber, they will also keep its teeth clean. Provide these healthy snacks to your Chi from time to time to keep it regular.
5. Probiotic and fiber supplements
You could also buy one of the dog poop supplements. These contain probiotics and fiber and could fix issues like anal gland problems, scooting, grass-eating, constipation, diarrhea, and even seasonal allergies.
Always discuss with your vet first before starting any supplements.
What to Give a Chihuahua to Settle its Stomach?
You can feed your Chihuahua some chicken broth as it is gentle and easy on its tummy.
Another option is rice mixed with some chicken broth. A bland diet of this sort is easier to digest and also provides your pet with water, protein, and minerals to make up for fluid loss in case of vomiting/diarrhea.
A bit of pumpkin puree or canned pumpkin is also a great option as it contains fiber which regulates your Chihuahua’s bowel movements.
Bone broth is also a great choice and can help settle your Chi’s stomach.
Alternatively, feed your pup some baby food but make sure there is no onion/garlic powder in it.
FAQs on Why Do Chihuahuas Eat Grass?
1. Can I give my Chihuahua Pepto-Bismol to settle its tummy?
AKC’s Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Klein recommends not to give Pepto-Bismol as it could turn your dog’s stools black and could even cause gastric bleeding in pets.
2. Will bread help my Chihuahua’s upset tummy?
Bread is generally not a good food for dogs especially if your Chihuahua pup has gluten or wheat allergy. While toasted bread in small quantities won’t cause any issues, in large amounts, it could lead to blood sugar spikes. Also, most breads are highly processed.
3. What kind of grass is best for my Chihuahua to eat?
You can let your pup eat fresh pet grass or wheat grass. Wheat grass is especially nutritious and it safe for dogs and humans to consume. Just make sure that the grass is not treated with herbicides or pesticides.
Conclusion – Why Do Chihuahuas Eat Grass?
Chihuahuas eat grass when they have an upset stomach. They resort to grass eating to overcome nutritional deficiencies.
Grass eating habit soothes your dog’s stomach and also helps it vomit out intestinal blockage if any.
Do check with your vet if your Chi’s grass eating gets out of control.
