Nutritional Needs

• Many dogs choose to eat grass and other plants as alternatives to their regular diet, according to the animal-health website PetMD, which notes that dogs aren't carnivores but omnivores: Their normal diet includes meat, vegetables and fruit, since their wild ancestors ate whatever they could hunt or forage to stay alive. Grass-munching may be a sign that your dog isn't getting the nutrients it needs and is seeking them from the nearest plant source.
  
  

Nausea Relief

• A dog that consumes grass for nutrients will chew it before swallowing, just as it does with any other food. But grass also helps a dog induce vomiting that will ease an upset stomach or eliminate parasites or other unwanted intestinal contents, according to the ASPCA. Unchewed grass will trigger the animal's gag reflex or irritate its stomach lining, causing the dog to throw up. (Ref 1 -Pet MD)
  
  

Avoid Certain Plants

• Although it's usually acceptable for a dog to eat the grass in your lawn, some plants there can be toxic, warns the website VetInfo. "The leaves, stems, berries or roots of many common plants are toxic to dogs and can cause nausea, diarrhea, breathing problems and even death," states the website, which names azalea, daffodils, hydrangea, poinsettia, mistletoe and rhubarb among the plants and shrubs to be avoided by dog owners.
  
  

When to Worry

• Grass-eating in itself isn't a cause for concern, PetMD counsels, but a sudden increase in consumption could indicate a more serious underlying problem. Your dog may have a gastrointestinal disorder that it's trying to "treat" on its own, so consult your veterinarian if you notice this happening. Watch the grass your pet eats, since other animals might have left parasites there, or it could contain harmful pesticides or other chemicals.
  
  

Alternatives

• If you prefer that your dog not get its plant nutrients from your lawn, add some cooked vegetables to its regular diet, advises PetMD. Several herbs also can offer natural relief from minor dog illnesses; aloe vera and ginger are good for settling queasy stomachs in dogs, just as in humans, the site says. VetInfo warns, however, that while aloe gel is harmless, the leaves of the plant can be toxic to dogs.
  
  You can still indulge your pet's taste for the green stuff, PetMD says, by growing a custom patch of lawn on an indoor tray to offer as a treat.