dogdaze

Recently a friend asked me why their dog eats grass. This is very common behavior for dogs in case you haven’t noticed. I really don’t know why they eat grass but I assume it’s because something is lacking in their diet. It could be that they have an upset stomach and by eating grass, the dog is able to vomit which makes them feel better afterward. It also could be that some dogs just like the taste of grass.

There’s nothing wrong with dogs eating grass, unless of course your yard has been treated with pesticide or other chemicals that can make your dog sick. If this is the case, just watch your dog and make sure they don’t eat the treated grass. Try offering them some fresh celery sticks or baby carrots to chew on.

Have you ever noticed that some dogs eat their own stool or the feces of other dogs? It’s not uncommon for this behavior in dogs, especially in puppies or younger dogs.

I have a couple of dogs that do this often. They eat the stool of other dogs and really like to raid the litter box — which I find disgusting! I always scold them for doing this but it doesn’t stop them from repeating the behavior.

I’ve been reading up on this subject and have found that there’s really no known reason for why some dogs eat stool. There are some theories, however, that claim dogs that do this are lacking something in their diets or that it’s a behavior that’s passed down to dogs through their ancestors.

There are ways to prevent a dog from eating feces, the main one being to keep your yard or kennel free of stool. There are some products available that you can put on dog food to make the stool taste horrible and make it less appetizing for other dogs.

Because I find this nasty habit annoying, there are some things I’m going to try to keep my dogs from eating stool.

When our family gets together on holidays and special occasions you can bet there’s plenty to eat. It’s a food feast for everyone, including our beloved dogs.

On the Fourth of July, we usually have lots of fresh fruit including watermelon and cantaloupe. If you’ve never seen a dog eating watermelon, you don’t know what you’re missing. Our dogs love to chomp on the sweet taste of the summer fruit, right down to the rind.

Memorial Day and Labor Day bring the family together for cookouts featuring anything from hamburgers and hot dogs to steaks and barbecue. I’ve always heard that smoked meat such as barbecue is not good for dogs, but a little taste won’t hurt them.

On Thanksgiving Day, we treat our dogs to a special home-cooked meal. They still get an occasional bite of turkey and dressing. One year, I think everyone in my family gave my dog, Sweetheart, some turkey because at the end of the meal she slept like a baby for hours. I think it was because of the tryptophan in the turkey.

We usually have the same big meal for Christmas that we had for Thanksgiving, only extra desserts and other goodies. One Christmas, when Sweetheart was about three or four years old, she excitedly walked among the Christmas gifts until she found her own.

Can you believe she actually found one of her presents — some Puperoni beef jerky treats — and ripped right into them? By the time we realized what she was doing she had eaten almost half the bag. She looked so cute we didn’t even scold her for pigging out.

At my house, dinner time is the most popular time of the day. All of my dogs watch anxiously as I get their individual food bowls out and put them on the countertop to be filled with food.

On special occasions, I cook for my dogs, usually boiled chicken or roast mixed with rice. I sometimes add canned carrots and green beans or peas. This gives their cooked food a little more flavor. I like to rotate the vegetables because it gives my dogs a variety of flavors.

Because the food I cook for my dogs is new to their palate, they eat with vigor and look for more. Sometimes I give in and give them a bit more, but not too much because I don’t want them to eat until they get sick.

Never give your dog cooked bones because they can splinter and become lodged in your pet’s throat.

There are some quality dog foods on the market but with the pet food recall, many pet owners are choosing to cook for their pets. This is the best way to know what your dog is eating.

If you’re not sure what to feed your dog, consult your veterinarian. Much like humans, dogs have nutritional requirements to keep them healthy.

Have you noticed the great variety of treats available for your dogs? There are jerky treats in chicken, beef, liver and cheese flavors. There are dog biscuits in several flavors including vegetable flavors. There are chunk-type treats that resemble marbled meat. Some resemble grilled chicken strips and others even look like mini pork chops. Some big-chain stores also carry Pup Corn for dogs in cheese and peanut butter flavors. Then there are all the chews such as raw hides, pig ears, pig feet, etc.

Most of the treats mentioned above can be found at pet specialty stores such as Pet Smart where you can take your dog shopping and let him pick out his own treats. Now, more grocery stores are catering to our pampered pooches and the people who love them.

As a pet owner, I am glad to see these products available for my dogs. It’s a sign that the food industry recognizes that dogs are not just pets; they are our best friends and companions.

Go ahead, give your best friend a treat!

If your dog scratches constantly and there’s no visible sign of fleas, he or she could be allergic to something in your house, yard or surrounding area.

I had a dog once that was allergic to everything, or at least it seemed like she was. She would scratch day and night, sometimes leaving her skin red and irritated.

Our veterinarian tested her for everything under the sun. My dog was allergic to cedar, pine, hay, carpet, fleas, certain grass and more. She also had some food allergies.

Although allergies in dogs can’t be cured, they can be successfully managed to provide your pet some comfort.

My little dog had to take allergy shots for years. At first it was hard for me to give the shots to her myself because she hated them and would cry. But after a while, she got used to them and I got comfortable giving them to her. As a reward for being so brave, she received her favorite beef jerky doggie treat.

My dog had a wonderful, full life despite all her allergies.

If you suspect your dog has allergies, educate yourself by reading some informative articles on the pet education web site — it’s a great source for pet information.

Dogs are creatures of opportunity. If they see the chance to score an Oreo cookie your child throws on the floor most dogs will jump at the chance to grab it. And it’s not just cookies our four-legged friends love.

My first fox terrier, Sweetheart, would eat just about anything that wouldn’t eat her first. Although she got the best (and priciest) dog food on the market, she was always looking for that little something extra. I admit to sneaking a bite of chicken under the table for her on many occasions. Sometimes it was a piece of cheese, toast, fries… Well, you get the picture.

Although feeding your dog table scraps is a big “No-No” according to most veterinarians, many pet lovers can’t help but let their dogs indulge just a bit. As long as it’s just a little.

Be aware that certain foods such as chocolate, grapes, mushrooms, onions, garlic and bones from fish or chicken are very bad for dogs.

While some human foods may cause an upset stomach in your dog, others can cause severe illness and death. For a complete list of foods not to give your dog, visit peteducation.com