Many dog parents are surprised to see their dog eating grass after surgery. The behavior is odd. Should you be worried?
We break down why your dog is eating grass after surgery, and help you understand when it’s a harmless quirk and when it could signal something more serious.
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Why Does My Dog Eat Dirt Daily?
A dog eating grass after surgery can be a response to nausea, discomfort, stress, or changes in digestion caused by anesthesia, medications, or the surgical process itself.
Post-operative medications like painkillers or antibiotics can upset a dog’s stomach, prompting them to eat grass in an instinctive attempt to soothe nausea or induce vomiting.
Also, the stress and anxiety from surgery and hospitalization may trigger grass-eating as a coping behavior.
Common Reasons for a Dog Eating Grass After Surgery
1. Nausea or Upset Stomach
One of the most common reasons a dog eats grass after surgery is to soothe an upset stomach.
Surgery can disrupt your dog’s gastrointestinal system, especially if they were under general anesthesia or took post-op medications.
These factors can make them feel queasy or gassy, prompting them to seek relief by eating grass.
Grass can act as a natural emetic (causing vomiting) or as roughage to help move things along in the digestive tract.
A dog might eat grass instinctively if they’re feeling bloated, nauseous, or constipated.
If your dog is eating grass and then vomiting frequently, it may be more than mild post-surgical nausea.
You should consult your vet to rule out more serious gastrointestinal issues or complications from medication.
2. Medication Side Effects
After surgery, dogs are often prescribed antibiotics, painkillers, or anti-inflammatory medications.
These drugs, while essential for healing, can sometimes irritate the stomach or cause nausea.
If your dog is eating grass after surgery, it might be their way of dealing with discomfort caused by medication.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), for example, are known to cause gastrointestinal upset in some dogs.
Talk to your vet about possible medication side effects.
If needed, they can adjust the dosage or prescribe something gentler on the stomach.
Related: Dog eating grass after food (Here’s why)
3. Hunger or Diet Changes
Surgery usually involves fasting before the procedure and a restricted diet afterward.
Your dog might be hungrier than usual or missing their normal meals, leading them to eat grass as a filler.
A dog eating grass after surgery could simply be hungry, especially if their post-op diet is bland or minimal.
Grass might not be nutritious, but for a hungry dog, it’s something to chew on.
Ensure your dog is getting enough food and that their post-surgery diet is balanced and vet-approved.
Slowly reintroduce their normal food as recommended.
4. Stress and Anxiety
Surgery is a stressful experience for dogs. From being in a strange environment (the vet’s office) to waking up in discomfort with a cone around their neck, the entire event can be anxiety-inducing.
Some dogs react to this stress by eating grass.
Stress-eating isn’t just a human thing—dogs do it too. A dog eating grass after surgery may be trying to self-soothe.
This behavior can also be a coping mechanism for boredom during post-op rest.
Other signs of stress include:
Whining or pacing
Excessive licking
Avoiding eye contact
Changes in sleeping patterns
Support your dog’s emotional recovery with gentle interaction, quiet time, and safe chew toys.
Related: Dog eating grass after throwing up (Here’s why)
5. Nutritional Deficiency
Some experts believe that a dog eating grass may be trying to compensate for missing nutrients—especially fiber.
After surgery, dogs may be placed on a plain diet (like boiled chicken and rice), which lacks some nutrients found in regular kibble.
If your dog’s grass-eating started post-surgery and coincides with a bland or low-fiber diet, they could be craving plant material to balance their digestion.
Check in with your vet to ensure your dog’s recovery diet includes all the nutrients they need.
They may recommend adding fiber-rich supplements or gradually transitioning back to regular food.
6. Pica or Compulsive Behavior
In rare cases, dogs eat non-food items—including grass—due to a condition called pica.
While this is more common in dogs with behavioral or mental health issues, surgery and the ensuing recovery process can sometimes trigger compulsive behaviors.
If your dog is obsessively eating grass after surgery, not just occasionally nibbling, it could be a sign of pica.
This can be dangerous if they ingest too much or if the grass is treated with chemicals.
What to look out for:
Eating grass daily or multiple times a day
Refusing food but eating grass
Vomiting, diarrhea, or signs of blockage
Get professional advice if this behavior persists or worsens.
Should You Be Concerned About a Dog Eating Grass After Surgery?
In most cases, a dog eating grass after surgery is not an immediate cause for alarm.
However, it’s essential to monitor the frequency and context of the behavior. Ask yourself:
Is my dog also vomiting or having diarrhea?
Are they refusing food but still eating grass?
Has this behavior started only after surgery?
Are there signs of pain, lethargy, or bloating?
If your answer is “yes” to any of the above, it’s time to consult your vet.
There may be complications such as internal discomfort, a medication reaction, or an unrelated gastrointestinal condition that requires attention.
Related: Dog eating grass and diarrhea (Here’s why)
What You Can Do to Help
Here are some steps to manage and support a dog eating grass after surgery:
1. Provide a Comfortable Recovery Space
Limit stress and environmental triggers. A peaceful space helps reduce anxiety-driven behaviors like grass eating.
2. Review Their Medications
Discuss potential side effects with your vet. If nausea or GI upset is a concern, your vet might adjust the prescription or add a stomach-protectant.
3. Ensure Proper Nutrition
Make sure your dog’s post-op diet is nutritionally complete. Ask your vet if you should supplement with fiber or vitamins.
4. Redirect the Behavior
Offer chew toys or treats that are safe for post-surgical recovery. This can help satisfy their need to chew or self-soothe.
5. Monitor Closely
Track how often and when your dog is eating grass. Keep a log if needed to discuss with your vet.
When to See a Vet Immediately
Call your veterinarian without delay if:
Your dog is vomiting repeatedly after eating grass
There is blood in their vomit or stool
They seem lethargic, bloated, or in pain
The grass-eating is compulsive or obsessive
You suspect they ate chemically treated grass
Key Takeaway
A dog eating grass after surgery isn’t always a red flag—but it’s not something to ignore either.
This behavior could be related to nausea, medication, stress, diet changes, or even nutritional deficiencies.
Monitoring your dog’s recovery closely, keeping open communication with your vet, and offering supportive care can make a big difference.
If your dog’s grass-eating seems excessive, is accompanied by other symptoms, or continues beyond the first week post-op, don’t hesitate to reach out to your veterinarian.
The sooner you understand what’s going on, the faster you can ensure your pup is healing well—inside and out.