Why do dogs like rolling in grass

At first glance, the odd things our dogs do make no sense at all. But more often than not, there's a reason behind them. Eating rocks, for instance, can be because your dog is lacking key minerals ... or because he's bored. Burying bones and other items might harken back to instinctual "caching" behavior by saving something to gnaw on for later.

But why do dogs roll in the grass? Is there an explanation?

Sometimes this behavior is about communication, or maybe it's to scratch a particular itch. Or it's simply because they can. We asked Miles Bensky, PhD, a pet behavior scientist with Purina, for more insight into why dogs roll around in grass.

A dog's sense of smell is incredible. Humans have six million scent receptors; dogs have up to 300 million. This is the primary reason why they excel at scent-based jobs such as arson investigation, search and rescue, COVID detection, and more. And it's why you often find dogs rolling around outside.

"Grass-rolling may serve multiple purposes depending on a number of factors at play, but in general, it's probably about smell," Bensky says. "It's always important to remember that there are many odors in the environment that our human noses are blind to, but that are just screaming to dogs to be interacted with." 

There are a few common theories regarding canines' sniffing communication, Bensky says, including:

• Scent masking: "An ancestral holdover of when dogs were reliant on getting their own food, it's thought that sometimes rolling in grass and other things can be a way of covering up a dog's normal scent to help with sneaking up on prey," he says. 
• Scent marking: When walking your dog, you're probably familiar with all the stops he makes to mark with urine. But Benksy says rolling around on the ground is another method for dogs to distribute scent around their environment and say "I've been here," and "This is part of my space."
• Scent journaling: "Rolling in grass, particularly grass with animal fur, feathers, or poop, is a great way for dogs to let other dogs know where they have been and what they have found," Bensky says. "It's a way of communicating to others about their environment." He adds that, again, what smells good to us and what smells good to a dog is often very different. 
• Getting rid of a "bad" scent: Ever notice how your dog wants to roll around right after a bath? It's the same concept. "While that shampoo smell and freshly-washed dog may be seen as an improvement to our noses, those fragrances may be too intense for your dog or just the wrong odor to them," Bensky explains. "Rolling around in the grass can be a way of getting back that au natural scent they prefer." 

RELATED: Why Do Dogs Roll Around in Stinky Stuff?

It's that simple. Just as we do, a healthy stretch feels good after a nice long walk or nap. Rolling around helps our pup pals loosen up their joints, remove loose fur, and boost circulation. Next best thing? Doga!

"When dogs are happy, their behaviors are often loose and exaggerated. Just watch when dogs are playing with each other—you see lots of exaggerated bounding and rolling around," Bensky says. Being on their back and exposing their tummy is a vulnerable position, so when dogs are rolling around, "it can be a sign that they feel happy, safe, and are just having a good time." 

Just remember: when your dog is rolling around in the grass on their back that this doesn't necessarily mean they want belly rubs or tickles. Some pups don't enjoy these touches!

"Overall, rolling around in the grass or on the ground in general is a completely natural behavior—even when it involves your dog getting into some things that you might wish they had not," Bensky says. 

So you don't necessarily need to stop your pooch from doing it, but you might want to train them to respond to your cues to not always flop down on the stinky stuff. Bensky recommends using positive reinforcement training such as strong recall or targeting to redirect your pet. "Just remember those smells can be highly distracting/enticing for dogs, so make sure you put in the time to work on these redirection behaviors with extremely reinforcing rewards," he says. 

However, if you feel your pup is rolling around excessively—especially if their body language isn't loose or relaxed—and it seems like they're persistently trying to scratch an itch, it might be time for a veterinary consultation.

If your dog is anything like mine, she loves rolling around in a patch of grass any chance she gets.

And it always cracks me (and anybody walking by) up to watch my dog, Nala, have the time of her life.

But I’ve always wondered why she actually does it. Is she cooling off? Is she just super happy? What could it be?!

To find out why Nala and so many other dogs like to stop, drop and roll, we reached out to Dr. Stephanie Austin, a veterinarian at Bond Vet in New York City, who helped answer the question: Why do dogs roll in the grass?

Here’s some of the most common explanations behind this behavior:

1. She’s enjoying a smell

It's important to remember how incredibly powerful your dog's nose is. “They are picking up on hundreds of nuanced scents that we can't even comprehend!” Dr. Austin told The Dodo. “Sometimes they want to enjoy a scent they've found in the grass and will roll around in it to do just that.”

2. She’s covering up her own scent

According to Dr. Austin, there’s another smelly reason why your pup may be rolling around in that patch of grass. “There is another theory that dogs may roll in grass to cover their own scent, as more of an inherited predatory instinct,” Dr. Austin said.

3. She’s cooling off

If it’s a particularly hot day, that grass may look extra appealing to your dog. It might even be a little wet from a sprinkler — the perfect combo for your dog to cool off.

4. She’s having fun

Your dog may also just be relaxed and having fun — and rolling on her back is a way to show it!

5. She’s scratching an itch

“It's good to rule out any allergies and make sure your dog isn't rolling a ton to scratch a constantly itchy back or side, but otherwise, it's probably normal that he's having a good time,” Dr. Austin said.

Why do dogs roll in the grass after a bath?

Have you ever noticed your pup rolling in the grass after she’s had a bath? She might even get a case of the zoomies.

While it might be confusing at first, she’s really just trying to dry off while exerting some energy after being pent up in that bathtub.

If you notice your dog rolling around in the grass, it’s probably just her having the best time ever.

I'm not sure about you, but now I’m even thinking about joining mine next time.

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Just like the question of why chickens cross the road, the answer to why dogs roll in grass may be equally simple. "Because it feels good," says Dr. John Faught, co-founder of Firehouse Animal Health Center, an Austin, Texas-based veterinary hospital group housed in a 100-year-old fire station.

"Every dog loves occasionally rolling around on different textures just for the pure joy of it," explains Dr. Faught. In fact, a large part of the way your dog interacts with their environment is through smell and touch. After all, they are not out there sniffing every single inch of the backyard for fun, you know. It's a part of how they interact with the yard or anywhere else they happen to go.

• It means that your dog is relaxed and playful. At that moment, their stress is low, and they don't have a care in the world.
• They are communicating to other dogs and the humans around them that they are feeling happy.
• If there is another dog around, they might be communicating that they would like to play with them. Dogs frequently get on their back when wrestling around with each other, and your dog may be indicating that they are open to making a new playmate.

They could just be itchy. "We see this in dogs with environmental allergies, which are by far the most common type of allergy we deal with," says Dr. Faught. However, this can actually backfire for allergic dogs. Rolling around outside can be problematic because it may expose them to even more irritants.

If you suspect your dog has allergies because they frequently roll around outside, talk to your veterinarian. "In addition to oral or injectable medications to control allergies, there are a lot of options for wipes, shampoos, and conditioners that can help keep a dog's skin clean and allergen-free," Dr. Faught stresses.

Some dogs do like to roll in super stinky stuff, and that's normal too. Veterinarians have a lot of theories about why dogs roll in the remnants of anything smelly.

"We know that some wild predators do the same thing to hide their scent to make them better hunters," says Dr. Faught. Even though most dogs aren't active hunters anymore, they may still be hardwired for the behavior of their ancestors, the wolves.

What's more, it could be another way dogs communicate with one another. They rub themselves in a scent as a message to another dog. "If your dog was a human, it might prefer Chanel No 5, but in real life, it may prefer the scent of rotten leaves or a dead animal," says Dr. Faught. While our nose turns up, your dog's nose may think they are rolling in the finest eau de toilette.

And finally, there's the 'Look what I've found!' theory. According to this idea, your dog may roll in some foul odor to show you and other dogs what they have found—either bragging or warning them to stay away, claiming it as their own. By "wearing the scent" they may command respect from the neighborhood dogs.

Dr. Jed Rogers, the other co-founder of Firehouse Animal Health Center, recalls when he was living in Hawaii with his cocker spaniel, Mo. During a formal photoshoot with his companion, Mo managed to find a dead octopus and roll around in it during a break in the picture taking. He had just had professional grooming and was looking great. "We got the photos we needed but holding him post-octopus roll was no fun," says Dr. Rogers. Of course, Mo loved every minute of it.

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