If you spend any time around animals, you have likely used some version of these phrases. Pets and livestock may nibble plants in their environment for a variety of reasons, including curiosity, boredom, nutritional deficiency, compulsive behavior, or because they simply like the taste. Although most snacking on the sidewalk, grazing in the garden, or foraging over the fence is relatively harmless (with maybe an upset stomach), ingestion of certain plants should be treated as medical emergencies. Dr.