If you are a dog owner, the chances are good that you’ve seen your furry friend eat some strange things throughout their lifetime. Dogs seemingly love to eat things that they shouldn’t. It can be stressful for dog owners to see their pets eating strange things that might be harmful to them. If your dog heads straight for things like grass, twigs, socks, and even dirt, it’s important to understand why. There’s a good chance they are eating the things they shouldn’t for natural reasons. Below, we will be walking you through why your dog loves to eat strange things. Remember that if your dog has ingested something that might be harmful to them, you should take them to All Pets Medical for professional assistance.

1. Part of a Dog’s Natural Instinct

Dogs have certain genetics and natural instincts that lead them to do certain things. Foraging for food and searching for snacks is part of a dog’s heritage. Many wolfs and wild canines feed on foliage and are constantly searching for food outside in their natural habitat. Our domesticated dogs still have this instinct, which is why you might see your puppy eating grass and other strange objects when you are outside with them. This is one of the main reasons why your dog loves to eat strange things.

2. Your Dog Has an Upset Stomach

Another common reason why your dog eats strange things is because your dog might be dealing with an upset stomach. Dogs eat grass in order to purge their digestive system. You might notice your dog whining to go outside. As soon as they are let out, they head straight for the grass to start eating it. Your dog might even vomit after eating the grass. This is actually perfectly normal if it happens every once in a while. You should be worried if they are vomiting excessively or if they are frequently dealing with an upset stomach.

3. Your Dog Wants Nutrients

It’s safe to say that grass is one of the most common strange things that dogs love to munch on. Another reason why dogs love to eat grass is because they understand instinctively that grass provides nutrients. If they are lacking nutrients in their diet, they will go for some grass to make up for it. Grass is actually packed with fiber and digestive enzymes that can help with digestion. Keep this in mind the next time you see your dog munching on some grass.

4. Your Dog is Curious

Eating strange things is part of a dog’s natural curiosity. Canines love to explore and try out new things. They will investigate pretty much everything with their mouth and their nose. This is part of what makes a dog’s personality so quirky and interesting. As an owner, try to keep an eye on what your dog is eating and make sure they aren’t getting into anything that will put them at risk of serious health issues. If your dog has swallowed something that might be poisonous, head over to All Pets Medical as soon as you can.