I have noticed that my female german shepherd is eating some grass and from what I have read is that this is caused from a lack of nutrients in her diet. I have been using Pukrina dog food , I'm currently looking into changing over to Innova or possibly BARF. Any suggestions as to what suppliments I should add to the food that would help stop the grass eating.
I think that if the grass eating becomes obsessive, then you might want to check into your dogs' diet. But if you're anywhere in the central to northern part of the US, there's an especially succulent variety of grass coming up right now (any botanists out there? I don't know what it's called, but it has a fairly wide flattened blade) that dogs seem to love. My dogs go through it every spring and it's nothing to concern oneself with. If the grass eating contiues into the summertime, then I'd look into it further.
Yes, I too have noticed that my dog seems to enjoy that wide blade grass particularly in spring. He will also look for it periodically in the summer and into fall. New spring grass is loaded with vitamins and minerals. Even though my dog has a platinum diners club card (he eats like a king at home) he still enjoys his grass. He doesn't eat a lot and I don't worry anymore.
Auster eats grass, but I worry about chemicals so I'm going to try growing sprouts and seeing how it goes. I've got some hard red wheat at home so the experiement won't cost me anything. Even if I could convince my father not to put out chemical fertilizer, there's a neighborhood obsession with having the greenest grass so I'm sure some would wash into our yard. I'll post an update in a month or so if you want.
"Dog breeding must always be done by a dog lover, it can not be a profession." -Max v Stephanitz
You are right to be worried about chemicals. Many people over treat their lawns. Lawns should be outlawed anyways (but that's another topic not for this web board) I am an avid gardener. I do not use pesticides or herbicides on any of my plantings, perennials, trees, shrubs, vines, and what minimal grass I do have. I use only organic based kelp (liquid or granular), and bone and blood meal in the spring. Fortunately my neighbours are chemical free as well. The park I live behind does not spray for weeds or bugs and doesn't use chemical fertilizers either. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Lauren, I forgot to mention. Any feed store should be able to supply you with a small amount of wheat kernels. Some organic seed producers have wheat and barley in small amounts as well. It doesn't cost that much.
If you plant your wheat in a half-whiskey barrel it should keep it away from the chemicals on the lawn and provide enough for a small continual harvest throughout the summer. If you sow winter wheat in it during fall you will have a handy batch coming due next spring.
You can blend some of it into your dog's food.
P.S. Sorry about the bloat. That's always been my biggest fear having a deep chested breed myself. My previous trainer's dobe died on the operating table after bloating for the 2nd time. Auster was very lucky. Good luck with her recovery.
my older dog 'taught' my pup to eat grass, on walks they will seek out the aforementioned wide bladed grass. On the plus side, they seek and destroy any unusual plants on the lawn too.
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