Cats and dogs sometimes eat grass or leaves. Have you ever wondered why these meat-eaters should be interested in plants?
The honest answer is that scientists are not completely sure! But here is what they have found.
Eating grass is very common and normal. Most dogs and cats that nibble grass are perfectly healthy, so it usually does not mean your pet is ill. People once thought animals ate grass as a medicine to make themselves throw up, but studies show most pets do not actually vomit afterwards.
So why do they do it? Scientists have a few ideas. The grass may add a little fibre that helps digestion. It may be an old instinct from their wild ancestors, who swallowed grass that helped clear tiny worms from their insides. Or some pets may simply like the taste. Next time you see your pet grazing like a little cow, do not worry. For most dogs and cats, a nibble of grass is just a normal part of being an animal.
Editor’s note: This story was updated in 2026. Older explanations said pets eat grass only when ill, as a medicine. Scientists now think it is normal behaviour, and they are still working out the reasons.
Word treasure
- non-vegetarians
- — Animals that eat meat, not plants
- deficiency
- — A lack or shortcoming of something needed
- instinctively
- — Following a natural pattern or habit
