Some dogs take every opportunity to roll in the grass. Do you have a dog that likes to roll whenever you let it outside or perhaps when you take a walk in the park? It is likely your dog has a reason behind this action. Why do dogs roll in the grass?
Grass is covered in scent, making it very attractive to canines. The dog’s nose is amazing! A dog’s olfactory receptors have the ability to pull out individual smells. When compared to humans, our smell is quite limited. While you smell grass, they smell other dogs, squirrels, human scent, and anything else in the environment at the moment.
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Why Do Dogs Roll in the Grass? – Four Reasons
Your dog is likely trying to accomplish something while rolling in the grass. It could be simply they enjoy the sensation of rolling in grass or it could be for other reasons.
Natural Instinct. One reason dogs roll in the grass is to rub the scent found in the grass into their coat or fur. The dog’s ancestors used this rolling behavior to help conceal their own natural scent while hunting for prey.
Dogs are simply trying to cover up their scent with other human, animal, and environmental odors.
Leave Scent Behind. Your dog could be rolling in the grass to leave their scent behind. Another name for this behavior is scent marking. You might have seen your dog scent mark their sleeping area, your carpet, or even their dog bed.
A dog leaves their scent to let other dogs know they have been there. Often it is letting others know that this area is claimed, and they can move on. Male dogs in particular like to communicate by leaving scent through urine and rolling in the grass.
Feels Good. Rolling in the grass can feel good to a dog. Dogs like to roll in snow and sand as well. If your dog appears to be relaxed and enjoying the roll most likely they do it for the sensation.
Relieve an Itch. Your dog could be rolling in the grass to relieve an itch. One symptom of a dog that has food and environmental allergies is itching skin. Dogs that have fleas or mites can try to itch the infected area by rolling in the grass.
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Why Do Dogs Roll in the Grass – Incredible Smell
Dogs have an incredible sense of smell with 300 million olfactory receptors in their nasal cavity compared to humans that have about six million olfactory receptors. Another factor that makes a dog’s smell so acute is part of their brain is devoted to smelling.
What else makes a dog’s nose so powerful? They have what is called neophilia, which is a scientific word use for preferring new smells or things. Dogs are attracted to new and interesting odors.
The biggest difference between humans and canines is dogs have two pathways in their nose, one is for breathing and the other for smelling.
When you are at the park with your dog, you smell freshly cut grass, compared to your dog that smells a rotten banana peel, a variety of human scent, insects, squirrels and even if male or female dogs have walked before them.
Any number of those of smells could bring delight to your dog, especially if they can roll in the grass. Why do dogs roll in the grass? It could be to rid themselves of unpleasant odors like dog shampoo or leave behind new smells that is unique to them.
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Why do Dogs Roll in the Grass? – Good or Bad Behavior
Dog’s roll in the grass for several reasons. It is up to the dog owner to decide if this behavior is good or bad. It really depends on why the dog is rolling in the grass. If a dog is rolling in a grass out of delight because they simply like the feeling, then it might not be a bad behavior.
Undesirable Behavior. When a dog seeks out a smelly area to roll in the grass, it is often a behavior that is not desired by the owner. Another instance could be when you are out for a walk, and you would like your dog beside you. It could be undesired behavior when your dog leaves you to roll in the neighbor’s grass.
In this case, draw the dog’s attention back to you and reward your dog. You can be more important than the grass in your neighborhood.
Itching Related to Health Issues. If your dog is frequently rolling in the grass and seeking opportunities to scratch, that is a good indication your dog is telling you something. Check your dog’s fur for fleas and mites. After bathing your dog, look for lesions, swelling, and red spots on their skin. If your dog continues to scratch or itch, contact your veterinarian.
Pesticide Exposure. Lawn pesticides and herbicides are toxic to dogs. Grass that has been treated with pesticides is not an area for your dog to enjoy themselves. Nicely manicured lawns can pose a health issue for your dog.
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Know the signs and symptoms that indicate your dog is having a reaction to pesticide exposure; vomiting, eye irritations, inflammation, skin rashes, drooling from nausea, and potentially respiratory problems.
If you suspect that your dog walked or rolled in grass that has been chemically treated, thoroughly clean the exposed areas, especially their paws.
Although it appears that your dog is having a grand time, it might not be the best behavior. Watch your dog carefully for undesirable rolling. One option is when out for a walk with your dog, work on training them to focus on you and put less focus on leaving their scent behind.
Dogs Rolling in the Grass
Why do dogs roll in the grass? Dogs have individual personalities and characteristics. Some dogs love to play and roll around in the grass. Other dogs use rolling as a way to leave their scent behind. Some dogs want every creature to know they walked this way.
It’s up to you to determine if your dog rolls in the grass out of pure pleasure or if they are marking and trying to get a “more pleasant” odor on their coat.
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