Why do dogs like to roll in grass?

Dogs love to roll around. Sometimes it’s mud, sometimes it’s poop (everyone loves that), other times it’s just grass. But why grass? What’s the appeal? Should you feel worried if yours is always rolling around in it?

Don't worry: we're here to help. We answer why dogs like to roll in grass, the instinctual and environmental reasons for it and why it’s, for the most part, a natural, harmless behaviour.

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The main reason why dogs roll in grass

Scent marking and smell are the main reasons why a dog may want to roll in grass. You may have asked "why does my dog roll in the grass after sniffing", and that's because smells are a big motivation for rolling.

There are three scent-based reasons that may cause a dog to roll in grass:

• They’re drawn to other strong smells in the grass, like another animal’s urine or poop.

• Masking their scent for hunting and camouflage. There’s a strong instinctual pull to roll in grass to mask their own scent. It's one aspect which helped their wolf ancestors hunt.

• Marking their territory, which dogs also do when peeing.

When a dog rolls around, they’re either depositing their scent through their natural oils and pheromones or picking up a new one. You can think of this as a form of communication. They’re either:

• Telling other dogs they’ve been there through scent.

• Acquiring a scent to inform their pack about something.

• Blocking out their smell to fool other animals.

Other reasons why a dog rolls in grass

Attention-seeking

Sometimes, dogs just roll in the grass to get some attention, especially if their owners give them some fuss during it. In fact, if they get attention, then it’ll just positively reinforce the behaviour.

Entertainment

Some dogs just like how rolling in the grass feels and they get a sense of entertainment and novelty out of it.

Scratching or stretching

Dogs will roll around on grass to scratch an itch or stretch, too, especially after resting or during a walk. It’s a form of self-grooming, and it can help them regulate their body temperature, too, especially when the weather is warmer.

Why does my dog only roll in the grass on walks?

It's because there are more new smells, scent markings and stimuli out on walks. Your dog is already used to your garden or home, so they have no instinct to roll.

When rolling in grass might be a problem

First, it’s important not to worry too much; rolling is a normal, healthy behaviour in the majority of dogs. Unless they’re making a habit out of rolling in fox poop or mud, you probably don’t need to do anything.

But rolling can cause issues in some instances. Excessive rolling can signal deeper problems like:

• Allergies, in particular skin allergies - Dogs can get itchy skin from allergies, especially in spring and summer. If your dog rolls frequently, and they have other symptoms like excessive biting, redness or bald spots, please see your vet.

• Behaviour problems - If the rolling is to get attention, it can hint at a deeper problem. We recommend seeing a behaviourist or vet if you can't reduce excessive rolling through positive reinforcement techniques.

• Skin irritation - There are many reasons why this might happen, like fleas, ticks or deeper skin issues.

Other things to look out for

There are a few environmental risks when a dog rolls in grass, like:

• Grass seeds - These are potentially dangerous and can get trapped in your dog’s fur, lungs or skin. Our guide on grass seeds shares more details, like how to spot them and treatment options.

• Parasites - Make sure you keep on top of flea and tick prevention if your dog rolls a lot.

• Plants - Even non-toxic plants can harm dogs, so make sure they’re not rolling in any. Our pet poisons guide discusses what common plants could harm dogs in more detail.

• Poop - Yes, some dogs like to roll in poop, but it’s potentially dangerous if it’s not cleaned properly, especially if it’s something like fox poop.

How to manage dog rolling

A dog rolling in grass is usually nothing to worry about, but if it becomes excessive and you’re worried, be sure to chat with a behaviourist or your vet.

If you want to discourage rolling, you can try positive reinforcement training to redirect them. You can also try regular grooming and flea and tick prevention to lower the likelihood of skin issues.

While it’s unlikely to be an issue, if it’s combined with other warning signs, it likely warrants looking into.

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Protecting your green-pawed dog

Whether your dog rolls for fun, for comfort or just because, it’s a common behaviour you don’t need to worry about too much.

But if it’s excessive and combined with other health symptoms, it needs further investigation. Thankfully, dog insurance is here to help you with unexpected health issues.

At ManyPets, you get up to £20,000 vet fee cover on our Complete Care plan, and all of our plans include 24/7 video vet access to answer any pressing questions you have. 

Get behavioural cover up to £20,000 as part of your overall vet fee limit, on Complete Care

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