It’s a calm afternoon, and you glance at your dog in the backyard—only to find them eating grass like a lawnmower. Later, they’re persistently licking their paws. Should you be concerned?
We outline the reasons why dogs eat grass and lick their paws, what these symptoms may indicate when they happen together, and what steps you can take to help your furry friend feel better.
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Here’s Why Your Dog Is Eating Grass and Licking Paws
If your dog is eating grass and licking paws, it could be a sign of allergies, digestive issues, boredom, or anxiety. Grass eating might help soothe an upset stomach or indicate a dietary deficiency, while paw licking is often linked to environmental or food allergies, irritation, or stress.
When both behaviors happen together and persist, it’s a sign of underlying health problems.
Is It Normal for Dogs to Eat Grass?
Yes, it’s normal for dogs to eat grass occasionally, as it’s a natural instinct that many dogs display. This behavior can stem from curiosity, boredom, or a desire to aid digestion, and it’s usually harmless unless it becomes frequent or is accompanied by vomiting or other symptoms.
Common reasons for eating grass include:
1. Instinctual Behavior
Dogs are omnivores by nature. Even in the wild, canines have been known to nibble on plants and grasses.
This behavior is often inherited from their ancestors. So, if your dog is eating grass, it could simply be fulfilling an ancient instinct.
However, this doesn’t explain everything—especially if your dog also licks their paws obsessively.
That combination can suggest something more.
2. Gastrointestinal Upset
One of the most common theories is that dogs eat grass to induce vomiting.
While this isn’t always the case, some dogs seem to eat grass when their stomachs are upset.
This might be accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, or signs of nausea.
If your dog is eating grass and licking paws, and you notice loose stools or vomiting afterward, it could be a sign of gastrointestinal distress.
The paw licking may be a secondary behavior driven by discomfort or stress.
3. Dietary Deficiency
Some experts believe that dogs eat grass due to a lack of fiber or other nutrients in their diet.
Dogs with unbalanced diets may instinctively seek out grass as a source of roughage.
If this is the case, and your dog is licking paws and eating grass regularly, it might be worth reviewing their food label.
Are they getting enough fiber? Do they need a supplement?
Why Is My Dog Licking Their Paws So Much?
Occasional paw licking is totally normal, especially after walks or during grooming. But constant or aggressive paw licking is usually a sign of something going on under the surface.
1. Allergies (Environmental or Food-Related)
One of the top reasons a dog keeps licking its paws is due to allergies.
Environmental allergens like pollen, mold, dust mites, or even lawn chemicals can irritate a dog’s paws.
Similarly, food allergies or sensitivities can cause systemic inflammation that manifests through itchy skin and paw licking.
When your dog is licking paws and eating grass, this combo may be a sign that their body is trying to cope with allergens internally and externally.
Common signs of allergies in dogs include:
Red, inflamed paws
Sneezing or watery eyes
Recurring ear infections
Itchy skin or coat thinning
If these signs accompany the behavior, allergies are a likely culprit.
2. Anxiety or Boredom
Dogs often develop repetitive behaviors when they’re stressed, anxious, or under-stimulated.
Excessive paw licking can become a self-soothing mechanism, much like nail-biting in humans.
Similarly, a dog eating grass out of boredom or anxiety may be trying to engage in any available activity to pass time or cope with separation.
This behavior is more common in:
High-energy breeds not getting enough exercise
Dogs left alone for long periods
Pets with recent environmental changes (e.g., new home, new pet)
3. Infections, Injuries, or Parasites
Sometimes the issue is very localized. Your dog might be licking paws due to:
Fungal or bacterial infections
Small cuts or abrasions
Splinters or debris stuck between the toes
Flea bites or mites
If your dog focuses on one paw more than the others, check closely for signs of swelling, redness, or foreign objects.
When Dog Eating Grass and Licking Paws Happens Together
Individually, both behaviors are relatively common. But when your dog is eating grass and licking paws at the same time, the combination may be a red flag worth investigating further.
Underlying Causes:
1. Food Allergies
Dogs with dietary sensitivities often exhibit internal and external symptoms.
Grass eating is a way to soothe an upset stomach, while paw licking might result from skin inflammation.
Consider switching to a limited-ingredient or hypoallergenic diet if your dog shows both behaviors.
2. Environmental Irritants
Your dog may be reacting to lawn treatments, pesticides, or even grass allergens itself.
In this case, they eat grass because it’s present, but also lick paws due to irritants they picked up while walking on it.
Washing your dog’s paws after walks can help reduce reactions to irritants.
Related: Dog eating grass and licking lips (Explained)
3. Behavioral Response to Stress
Anxious dogs often develop odd habits—eating grass for stimulation, licking paws for comfort.
Stress-related behaviors tend to escalate when a dog’s daily routine changes, or they aren’t getting adequate mental stimulation.
What You Can Do to Help
If your dog is eating grass and licking their paws, here are some practical steps you can take to support their health and comfort:
1. Evaluate Their Diet
Look for high-quality food that includes fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and limited fillers.
A poor diet can lead to nutritional imbalances and inflammation.
Try switching to a vet-recommended diet if you suspect a food sensitivity is causing both behaviors.
2. Check for Allergens
Observe if your dog’s symptoms worsen during certain seasons or after walks in specific areas.
This can point to environmental allergies.
You might also try:
Using paw wipes or rinsing paws after walks
Vacuuming regularly to reduce indoor allergens
Trying an air purifier
3. Offer Enrichment and Exercise
If your dog is licking paws and eating grass out of boredom, add new forms of stimulation.
Puzzle toys, longer walks, socialization, and interactive play can keep your dog mentally engaged.
4. Visit the Vet
Persistent symptoms shouldn’t be ignored. A vet can:
Check for infections, injuries, or parasites
Run allergy tests or food trials
Recommend medications for itching or anxiety
Early intervention can prevent paw licking from leading to hot spots or infections.
Related: Dog eating grass and not eating (Explained)
Key Takeaway
While it may seem like quirky behavior, a dog eating grass and licking paws is often a sign that something isn’t quite right—physically, emotionally, or nutritionally.
While occasional grass nibbling and paw cleaning is normal, frequent or obsessive behavior deserves attention.
From food allergies to anxiety, and from nutrient deficiencies to environmental irritants, the combination of grass eating and paw licking is a message your dog is trying to send.
Listen closely, observe carefully, and when in doubt—consult your vet.
By identifying the cause early, you’ll help your furry companion live a healthier, more comfortable life.