Why do dogs eat grass?

Many owners assume dogs eat grass to make themselves sick, but research suggests that is rarely the reason. A University of California, Davis survey of over 1,500 owners found that most grass-eating dogs showed no sign of illness beforehand, and fewer than a quarter vomited afterwards. Scientists think the habit may be inherited from wild canids, which eat plant material and may use it to help move intestinal parasites through the gut. Some dogs may simply like the taste or texture, especially fresh spring grass, while others do it out of boredom. Occasional grass eating is generally harmless, though lawns treated with pesticides or fertilisers can be dangerous.