Ten minutes ago our yard keeper told me that our dogs eat earth. They never do this when I am with them, but then they are under constant supervision. also on walks they don't do this, because I always observe what they are doing and before they pick up something I give the "leave it", which they know well.

But this doesn't mean they don't do it while he is around them. He cannot always look after the dogs, he has other work to do also. Nevertheless he is good at observing and he informs me. Now I'm concerned. Again, like on the other thread, I ask myself if they might lack something. Although I spend a lot of time for preparing their raw food and am trying to give them a balanced combination. it can be that something is lacking. I'm sure someone of you has the experience.

I'd be very grateful to know. Do they perhaps need any suppliments when feeding with raw food, inclusive eggs, certain fruits and veggies? I'll do everything to keep them healthy. I want o see the early warning signs.

Thanks to everyone.

Are they eating just plain dirt (earth), or are they eating grass that is growing in it, too? I'm trying to get a better picture of exactly what it is that your yard keeper observed.

If all are doing it there is a "possibility" that maybe one has something lacking and the others just thought they were missing out on something.

OR they could just be entertaining themselves.

A description of their diets could help for those who feed raw can possibly figure out.

In particular, an idea of the raw digestible bone you are feeding would be good.

Also, Cheri's question about grass, etc., is of interest to me too.

Lot of thanks to you all. Yes, they eat plain dirt. Grass they eat too sometimes. I always allowed them to eat grass, as the Vet once told me that this is normal, that lots of dogs do this, when they have a slight discomfort in their stomach. I've observed they choose always the same type, one which is very common here, though no one knows the name of it. On other types they only sniff.

The raw food I give is mostly muscle meet, a smaller part organic meet, white cheese and bovine rib bones (always raw). Additonally a gobble of eggs, yogurt, chia seeds and quinoa in smaller quantities, certain fruits and veggies. (no onions, no garlic, no avocados). But of course not all of it daily.

Two of them also salivate in long threads, but only occasionally. I thought there might something be wrong with the teeth or gums, but this we let examine regularly, twice a year.

And - Bob ~- one or two little glasses of wine in order to keep them pretty dizzy and entertained. (Only J !)

Christina, I will not be able to address any questions concerning possible nutritional deficiencies, etc. I'm not a raw feeder, and I think those issues are best discussed with other members of the forum.

I will tell you that I have two dogs who have been obsessive-compulsive grass and dirt eaters for most of the time I have owned them. In fact, there was a long thread discussing it here six or seven years ago. The problem has never been resolved. They joyfully rip up huge clods of grass, roots, dirt and all and eat them like they're candy.

In my case, I'm sure it is not a nutritional deficiency, it is just a very bad habit that is now so deeply ingrained, I will never be able to break it. I simply cannot leave my dogs outside without me or my husband watching them like hawks the entire time. I have lived in the same house, same piece of property, for 33 years, owned dogs the entire time, and these two are the first ones who have ever done anything more than nibble on the occasional blade of nice green grass. My older dog is the one who started this bad habit first, and I believe the younger dog picked it up from watching her.

Sorry I can't be of more help. Hopefully, others will chime in soon.

 Quote: Cheri Grissom

Christina, I will not be able to address any questions concerning possible nutritional deficiencies, etc. I'm not a raw feeder, and I think those issues are best discussed with other members of the forum.

I will tell you that I have two dogs who have been obsessive-compulsive grass and dirt eaters for most of the time I have owned them. In fact, there was a long thread discussing it here six or seven years ago. The problem has never been resolved. They joyfully rip up huge clods of grass, roots, dirt and all and eat them like they're candy.

In my case, I'm sure it is not a nutritional deficiency, it is just a very bad habit that is now so deeply ingrained, I will never be able to break it. I simply cannot leave my dogs outside without me or my husband watching them like hawks the entire time. I have lived in the same house, same piece of property, for 33 years, owned dogs the entire time, and these two are the first ones who have ever done anything more than nibble on the occasional blade of nice green grass. My older dog is the one who started this bad habit first, and I believe the younger dog picked it up from watching her.

Sorry I can't be of more help. Hopefully, others will chime in soon.

Yeppers, some dogs just graze like goats (pull up grass by the roots & eat the whole clump, with or without swallowing much soil) -- They will de-nude an entire lawn, if not constantly prevented from doing so ... A few dogs with this "quirk" will even dig for & devour earthworms OR simply dine on dirt, LOL.

Dogs are omnivores, and can take nourishment from all kinds of plant and animal stuff. It surprises us, and often results in a more human reaction to the behavior.

Now, eating poop is my chalk on a blackboard moment.

But grass, dirt if no stones, plants, etc. are often seasonal food stuff. Grass is a favorite snack. Grass with roots and dirt seems to be a treat for my female, after it rains. And it has been raining alot.

I cut watermelon rind into bite size bits, and use them for treats and training rewards. The mutts really respond positively to cold rinds. And, of course, raw carrot chunks.

And ice cubes.

 Quote: Christina Stockinger

... The raw food I give is mostly muscle meet, a smaller part organic meet, white cheese and bovine rib bones (always raw). Additonally a gobble of eggs, yogurt, chia seeds and quinoa in smaller quantities, certain fruits and veggies. (no onions, no garlic, no avocados). But of course not all of it daily. ...

Hi, Christina,

I was trying to get an idea of the part (the ratio) of the total diet you devote to RMBs (raw meaty bones, meaning bones that are fully consumed and digested), in order to check on the calcium that your dogs are getting. This overview doesn't tell us that.

So, two things:

Beef ribs -- for some sizes of dogs, these are recreational bones as opposed to edible/digestible bones. Are they fully consumed by your dogs?

As for the ratio of meat-to-bone (digestible bone), this thread explains that:
http://leerburg.com/webboard/thread.php?topic_id=32656&page=1#366438

Note: We are talking about RMBs, not recreational bones.

Please post back with any questions that thread may bring up.

Hi all! Reading about your experiences I'm not concerned any more about my dogs eating earth and grass. Thanks, Candy, fortunately they don't graze like goats nor eat dirt excessively, so I don't think I will have to do anything against it. But for safety reasons I will ask the Vet to examine if they have some deficiency, I'll need anyway to see him soon for the next vaccination.

Mike, I too have the impression they eat grass as a snack or like Bob said as entertainment , though without roots. I as you give them water melon rinds, they adore them. They love also bananas, apples, papayas, mangos, either in pieces or as mixture in a glop. Also veggies: Carrots, broccolis, cucumbers, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, dark green salad, green cabbage

What I didn't know is that we can give ice cubes. Why? I've never tried this until now.

Connie, the ratio of RMBs I can't tell exactly. It always depends on what we recieve at the butcher's. So not every day. But when we get it - about 4-5 times per week - the Pits get 3-4 bigger pieces. the other two 4-6 smaller ones. They all eat the whole bones completely.

I guess, they ratio might match about the one which is recommended in your thread. Thanks a lot for it. Very useful! I'll measure tomorrow the weight and compare it with the meat they get.

Calcium they also get when I give them (daily) a veggie or fruit glop mixtured with 1/4 of yoghurt each and half an egg inclusive the shell.

I'm following an LB-book (Raw Dog Food, by Carina Beth MacDonald), but I didn't find anything about the significance of eating dirt neither of grass. But as she also recommends salads and dark green veggies, I think grass should be ok, unless a certain grass should contain something unhealthy. I'll bring a bunch of it to the Vet (instead of a bunch of flowers, hope he'll be pleased). Problem here: The Vets I know here are all against raw food diet.

Thanks a lot to you all for sharing your experiences and advices.