Dog's taste for grass & carpet

Our 12-year-old Jack Russell terrier from time to time starts licking our carpet or eating grass outside. Could this be a deficiency?

- DR DAVID GRANT

Licking carpets is commonly reported in dogs, and there are various theories on this. It could be something simple, such as responding to tastes from mini spills of food.

Causes of more frequently occurring episodes include an underlying gastrointestinal condition causing nausea; mouth pain originating from the gums, tongue or palate; boredom; anxiety or compulsive disorders. It may also occur due to diseases causing excessive appetite (pica), and as an early sign of cognitive decline.

Occasional grass eating is commonly considered harmless. It may be a means of obtaining extra fibre (although quality canine foods are not deficient). Gastro intestinal upsets may be involved in dogs, although most do not vomit before or after eating grass. Another suggestion is dogs simply like the taste of grass.