Is it normal for my dog to lick wet grass and pavement after rain?

Question

Is it normal for my dog to consistently lick the grass when it’s wet? She licks the grass and pavement aggressively when it rains or after, and then she also does it every morning (dew). She pulls away hard to lick the grass while I try to keep her going on the walk. It’s hard to get her to go to the bathroom sometimes. And I worry about the pesticides I’m sure some of my neighbors use. Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Female | spayed | 11 months and 21 days old | 28 lbs

Rodrigo Roca, DVM · Accepted Answer

Hello, sorry to hear about Harley. If there are pesticides not he grass, this could indeed be of concern as some may contain toxic substances. The behavior itself is not normal and could indicate several things. First, if she is only licking the moisture or water, then you may not be providing her with the amount of water she needs. Make sure her water bowl is filled and that she gets water as often as she needs it. This may improve her ability to go to the bathroom and reduce her thirst and licking when outdoors. Other less likely causes for this include that Harlie has a dietary deficiency. These are far less common in pets that are eating commercial brand dog foods as these diets have to meet minimum essential ingredient requirements. Finally, the most common cause for this is an acquired aberrant behavior. This could be elicited from the lack of environmental enrichments (toys, play time, walks, etc.). It may just be that the water from the grass tastes good to her. If she continues to lick this despite having a good enrichment at home, then she may benefit from wearing a grazing or basket muzzle and discourage this behavior. Hope his helps and best of luck.

Is it normal for my dog to lick wet grass and pavement after rain?

Most Helpful Answer

Related Questions

My male dog's penis is stuck out and his scrotum has a painful rash.

What fish dog food helps dry skin if my dog eats Science Diet?

Dog licking paws, fur loss, and jaw wound: Could it be allergies?

Is there a chart for dog food protein biological value and digestibility?

Why does my puppy have bloody, mucousy stools despite diet changes?

My dog rubs belly & scratches face, no fleas. Could it be allergies?

Share