The American Beagler Forum

just wondering why dogs sometime eat grass I have been told several things anybody know.

upset stomach, bored, hungry, just like the taste, etc. who knows, it wont hurt them though

I've often heard they were missing something from their diet. Sometimes I think they are trying to get the moisture. Some just like to graze, makes them think like a rabbit!

Change feed!

Ok, let's change the subject I have been told to change feed before and I did. It didn't change a thing. I am not saying they eat a lot of grass but I ocassionally see two of my dogs getting a bite. I was feeding sextons bros. 21-10. Now I am feeding pride pro series 26-18.My dogs do look a little slicker on the pride but I am thinking it's not the feed. In your guys opinion what is some of the better feeds on the market.

My female dog always eats grass. Tall Grass, I think she just likes the taste or something, or used to eating it before I got her.

If my male eats it, he's got a tummy ache, and throwing up will follow.

Chris D Adkins wrote: In your guys opinion what is some of the better feeds on the market.

From what I hear Pro Plan is VERY good, but it's $$$. I feed Black Gold 26/18 and the dogs do very well on it and at $16/bag. its reasonably priced.

Mine eat it when they have an upset stomach -then throw up
I have seen dogs eat grass when out running in hot dry conditions--just for the moisture I think.

coolbrze wrote:

Chris D Adkins wrote: In your guys opinion what is some of the better feeds on the market.

From what I hear Pro Plan is VERY good, but it's $$$. I feed Black Gold 26/18 and the dogs do very well on it and at $16/bag. its reasonably priced.

You can buy way better for the $$$ Check out Canidae, great food!

Uh, Pixels, I checked out the cost of a 40#bag and the cheapest I saw was around 30.00 a bag...thats not even close to comparable to a 40 or 50# bag costing 16-20.00.....



Tony

Chris D Adkins wrote:just wondering why dogs sometime eat grass I have been told several things anybody know.

Hounds eat grass because they want it. Some grasses are a natural physic to animals. They eat it because nature has programed them through the ages to somewhat be their own doctors. Might be to them, what we call at times, "a natural craving". They know not why, but it's the same as why animals seek out salt, their bodies need it and it is good for them...

ps. as we've been canning new from the garden, we've been pouring out the old vegetables onto the hounds food and they really go after it...

I asked a friend that was a Vet why. He said they like a little salad just like we do once in a while...This guy has a huge business. My opinion was he didnt have a clue. However it seems to me like if it was something they need why hasnt a feed company came up with the answer.

bluegrass wrote:Uh, Pixels, I checked out the cost of a 40#bag and the cheapest I saw was around 30.00 a bag...thats not even close to comparable to a 40 or 50# bag costing 16-20.00.....



Tony

For the Pro Plan?? I thought that was expensive! hmm..

Theres also the factor that with Canidae you feed less. My lab on cheap dog food would have to eat 3.5 to 4 cups a day, with Canidae, 2 was enough. So I think it all evened out in the end.. but I get what your saying...

I can do a little more on the dog food because I only have 2 dogs.

billi wrote:I asked a friend that was a Vet why. He said they like a little salad just like we do once in a while...This guy has a huge business. My opinion was he didnt have a clue. However it seems to me like if it was something they need why hasnt a feed company came up with the answer.

It is not of nutritional value that they want it but for medicable purposes. The wild of the field have no doctors to treat their ailments, so the instincts bred in them makes them crave what is there naturally to aid their health.
John knows the good benefits herbs, grasses and roots have in them as medicine. Wild carnivore eat the paunch of herbivores to get the balance in their diet, but they've instinct of how to physic themselves with natures own antacids & dewormers. Some of these wild instincts still carry over into the dogs we have today.
When I was a boy, our dogs never got shots or wormers. When they got to looking poor, they might disapear for a few days and then, turn back up with renewed appetite and feeling better. What they passsed in their stool on returning was a mass of grasses and wood fibers. My father would say, they went off to doctor themselves and purge their system.
This is what I believe, but your vet would make no money admitting it to you...

No matter what kind of kibble you feed your dog will crave grass. They need a certain amount of raw foods in their diet to keep the bacteria in their stomach balanced. It is amazing how mother nature takes care of their own needs. All my dogs get a few raw fruits and veggies and a couple spoonfuls of plain yogurt once or twice a week. Not in their kibble, just as training treats. Baby carrots, apples, strawberries and cherry tomatoes are their favorite. No grapes!!

BTW I switched to Canidae when Sensible Choice was recalled. But in 4 weeks I had 2 dogs with hotspots and twice as much shedding in the house. Needless to say I have switched back to Sensible Choice now that it is back. I go through 80 lbs of feed a month. But what fetching is saying is true. With the feeds with alot of fillers such as corn in them, they will eat almost double the quantity of food to stay at the same body factor. My Labs eat only 2 cups a day and the beagles less then that.