Author: Dogs' Info Planet
My dog chows down on the droppings of other animals. Does he really
like the taste or is there a deficiency in his diet?
Dogs have fewer taste buds than many animals. They enjoy the waste
products mainly for smell and texture, rather than any particularly exciting
taste.
Also, some types of manure are actually nutritious and healthy for your
dog's digestive system. This doesn't mean you have to let him eat it, however.
If your dog is eating droppings or manure despite your best efforts to break
him of the behavior, there's a good chance something is missing in his diet.
Try adding to his diet with enzyme-containing supplements or raw fruits
and vegetables.
My dog has really bad gas. Will changing his diet help?
The short answer is: “Maybe.”
You can experiment with your dog's diet, but keep in mind that some dogs
are just prone to imbalances in gut bacteria and will still have gas no matter
how much you reduce gas-causing foods.. You can help restore balance by giving
your dog yogurt along with enzyme supplements.
My dog has plenty of food, but wants to eat everyone else's, too. Why?
This is both a dominance behavior, as well as a survival instinct. In a
dog pack, there is no sharing and alpha-status is enhanced by taking resources
for oneself. This instinct really can not be trained away, so the best bet is
to feed your dogs in separate rooms.
How important is variety to my dog's diet?
As long the food you're feeding to your dog is nutritionally balanced,
there is no harm in feeding him the exact same thing every day. If he already loves his food, all the
better. Remember that routine is important to dogs. Changing food too
frequently is likely to upset him.
My dog is well-fed, but still eats garbage, bugs and just about
anything else he can find. Why?
Dogs are natural scavengers, and they love the thrill of 'the hunt'.
However, a well-fed dog will almost never seek out food in this way unless he
is bored. In other words, he isn't hungry. He's just dying for more stimulation
and exercise.
If you tend to keep your dog indoors a majority of the time, and notice
scavenging behavior when you let him out, take this as a sign to add more
variety and physical exercise to his play time. Ramp up the frequency of
'walks' or make an effort to take him somewhere new and exciting.
Why does my dog eat grass?
Dogs are omnivores. Having a meal of fresh grass is a lot like having a
salad, and your dog will eat it when he feels the need for a little extra
fiber. There is no harm to your dog in eating grass, and even certain weeds, so
let him have at it!
Occasionally, your dog will eat grass when his stomach is upset, too.
This helps him regurgitate the offending items, and is also a perfectly natural
and healthy behavior.
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