Why Do Dogs Roll In The Grass? It has to do with their ancestry, like most of the natural behaviors that our furry friends exhibit. Wild wolves and dogs frequently roll around in the grass to cover themselves in strange substances like dead animals, excrement, and pee.
Nobody really knows why wolves do it, but popular theories include that it may be to hide their own odour and bring new scents home for their packmates to smell and follow later. The reason wolves do it is now clear, but why do dogs roll in the grass?
Disguising Their Scent
Similar to wolves, it’s said that dogs roll in grass and other pungent materials like fox faeces to mask their own odour. Since they are predators, masking their scent increases their chances of a successful hunt by confusing their prey. Your dog may approach its unaware victim more closely if they smell like grass rather than a dog because they haven’t yet detected a deadly predator.
Having said that, it’s unlikely that your dog goes hunting very often, unless it’s to pounce on an unaware sofa. However, it remains a completely normal behaviour that is hardwired into their DNA.
Leaving A Mark On Their Territory
Dogs rolling in the grass may also be a way for them to identify their territory, according to another belief. Your dog can be moving around on their back to leave their distinctive fragrance on the grass for other dogs to sniff and to establish their claim to the area.
The Grass Smells Nice
Dogs use their noses to navigate the environment, and their sense of smell is similar to having superhuman abilities. Since it is thousands of times greater than ours, they are able to detect odours that we would overlook.
For instance, whereas we humans are able to detect the scent of freshly cut grass, our dogs are able to detect the scent of any surface, including the scent of another dog walking across it, cat urine, various types of filth, or anything else.
Dogs may roll in the grass to mask their odour, but it’s also likely that they do so because they enjoy the aroma of the grass, dirt, and anything else nearby. This implies that your dog’s antics could be compared to a puppy applying cologne.
The Grass Is A Good Back-Scratcher
If you’ve ever walked on grass without shoes, you know how soft and scratchy it feels. Your dog must love the slightly spiky and abrasive texture when they rub against it, and it can be useful for them to scratch their back and get rid of any bothersome itches. Rolling in the grass may be like the ideal massage and back scratch combined—we all enjoy a nice back scratch!
Grass may also aid in removing any debris or dead hair that has become lodged in your dog’s coat. They might feel cleaner and more at ease by rolling and rocking on the lawn.
Since rolling in the grass soothes itches, a dog who has been rolling about more than usual may be experiencing skin irritation. If your dog scratches themselves a lot, bites at their fur, or rolls around seeming disturbed, it may have parasites or be suffering from an itching condition.
Look for any sores, scabs, or dry skin on your dog, and then get guidance from your veterinarian. Maintain any prophylactic measures to ward off ticks and fleas.
A Great Way To Pass The Time
Dogs simply enjoy rolling in the grass, which is the simplest explanation for their behaviour. When they’re squirming around on their backs, it looks like fun, and they always appear to be in a good mood.
The feel of the grass on your dog’s back probably feels wonderful, and it also stimulates their senses of scent and touch.Your dog is most likely rolling around in the grass for fun, just like you may have done as a child when you used to roll down hills. It’s fun, smells wonderful, and feels fantastic!
It might be compulsive
Rolling in the grass is more than simply a pleasurable activity for some dogs. Some puppies may experience compulsive problems, which are comparable to OCD in dogs. If your dog keeps rolling on the grass and it is preventing you from taking walks, it can be compulsive behaviour.
If your dog’s behaviour has changed unexpectedly or is interfering with their everyday activities, you should seek guidance from your veterinarian.
What Causes Dogs To Roll In Grass After A Bath?
After a bath, dogs always appear eager to roll around on the carpet or some grass, and there are a few explanations for this. First off, rolling around helps you decompress. Many puppies dislike taking baths, so rolling around afterwards is an effective way for them to release their tension while also soothing any knots in their bodies.
Dogs roll in the grass to change their fragrance after a bath, which is another reason. Dog experts are generally certain that dogs don’t always enjoy the pungent shampoos humans use. While you might enjoy the way your dog smells like blueberries, your dog is probably not as enthusiastic.
For a dog, the smell of soil, grass, and other things is far more alluring. Therefore, they will roll in the grass just after taking a bath in an effort to make themselves smell more recognisable and appealing.
It’s generally wise to switch to a fragrance-free shampoo if your dog really seems to dislike the scent of the one you’re using.
Does Rolling In Grass Have A Negative Effect?
The act of your dog rolling around on the grass is very normal behaviour, and it’s not always negative. However, there may be unseen dangers in the lawn that will ruin your dog’s fun.
To keep them lush and green, certain lawns may receive treatments with plant food, insecticides, or herbicides. But if your dog licks the substance off of their fur or comes into contact with it, it could include compounds that are hazardous to them.
Ticks also congregate in the grass, particularly if there are sheep or deer present. While rolling about, your dog might pick up one of these terrible parasites, which could lead to a tick feeding on them.
It is crucial to apply flea and tick treatments that kill and repel these pests as well as their eggs in order to protect your dog. It’s always important to continuously treating your dog to keep them from becoming a bug smorgasbord because ticks can bring diseases as well.
Last but not least, you can mistakenly think your dog is rolling in the grass when they were actually drowning themselves in something unpleasant like fox or cat waste or even a dead animal. The best friend of men is obsessed with rolling in unpleasant smells. Although it is a typical behaviour for our animal buddies, dealing with it isn’t very pleasant.
Additionally, the dung and carcasses your dog has rolled in may have parasites and viruses. Use some pet-safe wipes to clean your dog off if they have rolled in anything unsuitable, even if it was just grass. A trip to the bath is required if they have unquestionably rolled in anything foul.
