So, your corgi loves to eat grass. And you’re worried if this is normal or harmful to his health.
In this article, we’ll cover some popular questions about grass consumption:
- Will your corgi have difficulty passing stools?
- Does grass digest?
- How to stop your corgi from eating so much grass
- Does your corgi constantly throw up?
- If it’s normal to munch on grass
- When to see a vet about the behavior
- And more
Let’s get your questions answered.
Table of Contents
Why does my corgi eat grass?
There’s really no specific reason why a dog would eat grass.
There are speculations that dogs generally eat grass when they have a stomach ache and grass has relieving properties. But this isn’t proven scientifically and is nothing more than a rumor.
And by “relieving,” I don’t mean that grass calms their stomach. it actually induces vomiting and this can help them get rid of a disturbance that’s causing them stomach pain.
Corgi puppies are known to eat grass more than adults. Most puppies will grow out if by the time they’re 1 year of age.
They may lose their interest in eating it over time, or perhaps it’s because after they vomit for the first time, they register it as a negative experience.
There’s really no solid evidence either way.
But generally, corgis will grow out of eating it as they age.
Is it normal for corgis to eat grass?
Yes, dogs will eat grass no matter what breed they are. Corgis included.
This behavior generally stems from puppyhood and they’ll lie down in the sun and just munch on grass. You may even notice that your pup comes back inside your house with a grass sticking out of his mouth.
This is normal behavior.
However, if your corgi consumes it on frequently, you’ll want to ask yourself:
- Was there a trigger prior to eating the grass?
- What was your corgi doing right before he went to the grass?
- How much is he eating?
- Does he vomit afterwards?
Depending on your answers to these, it can be a normal and healthy behavior that’s natural to them.
Or he can be acting on the age old tale of trying to make himself throw up because of something he ate earlier.
Grass is the most commonly eaten plant by canines, so don’t be surprised if your new puppy munches on grass over leaves, flowers, or other plants.
You’ll also want to make sure that your corgi doesn’t eat too much grass. This can lead to digestion problems, excess vomiting, or stomach pain. And also ask yourself:
Is he eating grass in RESPONSE to something? Or is he eating it for no reason?
If there’s a trigger prior, you’ll find out what’s making him eat it.
This could be the reason why he’s trying to make himself vomit and get rid of whatever’s comfortable to him. Dogs can’t talk, but their behavior says everything.
Note that although your corgi may appear to be eating a lot of grass, he may be letting most of it fall out of his mouth.
He could be just chewing on it and spitting it out. Only a few pieces are actually swallowed. Puppies tend to do this and will do it less as they age.
By 7-9 months, you’ll probably notice that your corgi ignores the grass entirely or just quickly munches on it then walks away.
By age 1, your dog should rarely be eating it unless there are other circumstances. Note that there are ALWAYS exceptions.
Some dogs will make eating it a habit.
As long as they’re healthy after a vet checkup, there’s nothing to worry about if the consumption amount doesn’t change.
How to stop my corgi from eating grass?
Here are some ways you can help stop your dog from the behavior.
Use the “no” command
Most corgis puppies will stop over time, but you can accelerate the process by teaching him to stay away from the grass with a stern “no” command.
Reward your dog for listening and use positive reinforcement.
Teach “leave it”
Additionally, you can train your corgi the “leave it” or “drop it” commands to deal with grass.
Start training during the critical learning period of your corgi puppy to train him early.
This will be helpful on walks outdoors so you don’t need to constantly pull the grass out of his mouth.
Can’t train your dog? Don’t have time?
The next best alternative is to simply remove the grass. If you have a small patch, you can consider removing it entirely or building a barrier so your puppy doesn’t mess with it.
Also, if he eats it outside on potty breaks, a barrier will help reduce the number of distractions and make housebreaking easier.
Use a tight leash
And finally, if you can’t block the grass and can’t cut it or remove it, keep him on a tight leash when you go outside.
This can work for both your backyard or on walks. Teach your corgi to walk on heels. This will benefit them to stay by your side in public and prevent unwanted behaviors (like lunging at strangers or running amok).
My corgi is throwing up the grass he eats
About 25% of dogs will throw up after eating grass. The more they eat, the higher chance they have of vomiting based on various reports online.
Most dogs can swallow and push the grass through their digestive tract without any problems.
But if your corgi constantly throws up every time, there could be other concerns at stake. This ranges from the previous foods he’s eaten, missing nutrients, worms or parasites, or a poor nutrient balance.
He could be eating the grass to make up for missing fiber, but throwing up because he’s eating too much or sensitive to it.
Or he may have eaten something earlier that resulted in stomach problems and trying to relieve himself.
Regardless, you should consult a vet for a checkup if your dog constantly throws up.
Can dogs digest grass?
Grass doesn’t digest in dogs because they don’t have the required enzymes to break down the strong fibers in the plant.
This is why it can be a tool for them to use on themselves to induce vomiting (and probably where the tale came from).
Because they don’t have the means to break down the enzymes to digest it properly, it goes through their entire digestive tract as insoluble fiber.
Some fiber content is healthy to keep your dog’s digestion moving smoothly. Bugt overdoing it can lead to pain or constipation in your corgi.
This is why you need to monitor how much your puppy eats and don’t let him consume copious amounts of foliage.
Is eating grass healthy?
As long as your dog eats controlled amounts, there’s no need to worry.
Grass can help regulate and clean out your dog’s digestive tract by providing some fiber. But if your dog eats grass to vomit because of something else he ate, this is a problem that you should assess.
Dogs will eat it on their own, even if they’re stray ones. So it’s clearly part of their natural instinct. Consuming grass in moderation should pose no risks.
You should always be asking yourself if your corgi is eating it for a reason OR because it’s just instinct.
When you suspect that there may be a trigger that’s causing him issues, that’s when you need to take him to the vet.
Is it safe or dangerous?
Generally, if your corgi eats grass, it’s healthy.
There are many reasons why your dog may be attracted to munching down on a lawn:
- Getting a source of fiber
- Replacing a missing nutrient
- Fixing his digestive tract
- Help get his daily intake of essentials
- Ridding parasites
- The grass provides a chewable plant (chew toy)
- Or simply out of boredom
Again, don’t be alarmed if your dog rushes outside just to lay down on the lawn to chew grass (rather than that false bathroom alarm).
But be cautious of any triggers or dietary problems that may exist that’s causing him to eat it. Your dog may even bring in a few pieces indoors as a chew toy.
Some owners will tell their corgi to stop eating it by using a “no” command. You can practice this if you want to wean your dog off of it.
This can help expedite the natural process of stopping them.
When to see a vet
Take your corgi to the vet for an exam when you first notice a change in behavior, weight, or diet.
There are some things you should lookout for from your corgi though.
Grass in stool
You should take your dog to the vet for a checkup if you notice any difficulty in pooping because of the fibers in the grass (it’s insoluble to dogs).
If your corgi has difficulty passing stool, this needs to be checked out. Seeing grass in the poop is normal- after all, they can’t digest it.
But if it’s so much that it makes your dog strain or take extended bathroom breaks, this could be worthy of a vet visit.
Consistent vomiting
If your corgi vomits every time after eating grass, you’ll want to address the issue.
- Is he eating something prior that’s making his stomach hurt, and now he’s trying to get rid of the pain?
- Did you recently change his diet, exercise regimen, or sleep patterns?
- Does he need more fiber from grass but eats too much and regurgitates it?
You’ll want to document everything (feeding, bathroom breaks, sleep/wake cycles, etc.) and bring this information to your vet. From there, the pet doctor can examine the issue and recommend a plan of action.
If accompanied by any other signs of distress
If your dog eats grass accompanied by fatigue, diarrhea, whining, barking, no appetite, weight changes, shaking or tremors, or other abnormal behaviors, consult your vet.
The consumption of grass could just be a reaction to something else that’s affecting your dog. This warrants a vet exam.
Changes in behavior or lifestyle
If your corgi seems to be munching on grass blades out of nowhere (and suddenly), this could be due to a change in diet, lifestyle, hormones, or some other nutrient deficiency.
Consider if there were any recent changes to your dog’s lifestyle that could attribute to the new behavior.
Further reading
Here are some extra references you may find helpful:
- Why Does My Dog Eat Grass? – American Kennel Club
- Eating Grass – MyCorgi.com
- Why Dogs Eat Grass—a Myth Debunked – Psychology Today
Now you know why your corgi eats so much grass
So now that you’re armed with more knowledge, you probably know some of the reasons behind this behavior.
Hopefully, it calmed your nerves just a bit and relieves some worry over your furbaby.
Corgis will eat grass- that’s normal. Just be on the lookout for specific triggers and any reactions to it.
A few grass blades here and there is nothing to worry about. Anything else? Take your pup to the vet!
Post a comment below if you have any questions.
Roy has owned 14 dog breeds, with corgis being his absolute favorite. He’s a self proclaimed “corgi whisperer,” whatever that means. He enjoys hiking, videogames, binging on shows, and writing (that’s why he’s here).
Some experts think that bored dogs eat grass simply because it gives them something to do. Quite often, this happens with dogs that don t get enough exercise, particularly young dogs and puppies that have an abundance of pent-up energy to burn.