They have an upset tummy

Personally, this is what I was always told growing up — that if a dog eats grass, its stomach is probably upset. Like people (and even more so since their options are limited), dogs tend to seek out natural remedies to maladies like nausea and bloating. Enter grass eating. “When they eat the blades of grass, it is believed the tiny ‘hairs’ on the blade tickle the esophagus and stomach as they go down,” explains Vet Live’s Dr. Laci. “This then often causes the dog to vomit, which may be just what the doctor ordered if something they ate is upsetting their tummy.”

They’re filling a nutritional gap

If your dog is well-fed and cared for, this theory may not apply to you at all. It’s worth noting, though, because some pet owners who prepare their pet’s food on their own can be susceptible to nutritional gaps — particularly if they’re new to this sort of feeding. Other dogs who may fall into this category are neglected or abandoned dogs who are excessively hungry. Essentially, Dr. Michael Goldberg, a veterinarian, tells Modern Dog Magazine the idea is that if a dog’s nutritional needs aren’t being met, its body will crave and seek out certain nutrients.

They like the way it tastes

Hey, sometimes the simplest explanation makes the most sense. As dog whisperer Cesar Millan points out on his website, pups are natural scavengers who are pretty much always on the prowl for their next tasty morsel. Could it be that, like humans, dogs like the taste of fresh greens? Millan thinks it’s a distinct possibility. Just think of your yard as a free-range salad bar!