Why Does My Dog Eat Grass? The Internet’s Most-Googled Pet Questions, Answered

Every pet parent has typed a slightly embarrassing question into Google at 11pm. You’re in good company — search data shows tens of thousands of people ask these exact questions every single month. Here are the internet’s most-Googled dog and cat questions, answered straight.

Why does my dog eat grass?

The all-time champion of dog searches. Usually it’s nothing: boredom, habit, or just liking the taste. Some dogs seem to do it to settle an upset stomach. Occasional grazing is normal — but if it becomes obsessive, triggers regular vomiting, or comes with other symptoms, that’s a vet conversation.

Why does my dog lick me?

Affection, attention, and information-gathering all at once. Licking is hard-wired social behavior from puppyhood, you taste interesting, and it reliably gets a reaction from you — which teaches your dog it works.

Why do dogs howl?

Communication, plain and simple. Howling marks territory, announces presence, answers sirens and other high-pitched sounds, and sometimes just means “pay attention to me.” Your dog isn’t sad — they’re broadcasting.

How long are dogs pregnant?

About two months — typically 58 to 68 days depending on breed, litter size, and health.

Why do cats knead?

Kneading (“making biscuits”) starts in kittenhood and carries into adulthood as a comfort behavior. A cat kneading on you is about the highest compliment cats give.

Why do cats purr?

Contentment, mostly — but not only. Cats also purr to self-soothe when stressed or in pain, which is why a purring cat at the vet isn’t necessarily a happy one. Context is everything.

How long do dogs and cats live?

Dogs average roughly 10–13 years, with smaller breeds generally outliving larger ones. Indoor cats commonly reach 13–17, and plenty sail past that. The levers you control: nutrition, weight, dental care, and regular vet visits.

The question people ask too late

There’s one search that spikes every summer that we wish people ran sooner: “what to do if my dog goes missing.” Roughly one in three pets goes missing at some point in their lifetime — we’ve collected the full numbers in our lost pet statistics guide — and the households that get a fast, happy ending are almost always the ones whose pet was wearing current ID before anything happened.

That’s the entire idea behind a Shiloh’s House smart NFC tag: whoever finds your pet taps the tag with their phone and instantly sees how to reach you — no app, no scanner, no shelter hours. It’s the one answer worth having before you ever need to Google the question. (Curious how it works? Here’s NFC explained for pet parents.)

Got a question we didn’t cover? Odds are one of our guides has it — from what to put on a dog ID tag to what cat parents actually need. And for the questions only a vet can answer, ask a vet — Google’s a starting point, not a diagnosis.