Grass diet – puppy training schedule

It’s your call on the grass eating. My dogs have usually eaten it because it tastes good, with no ill effects. On occasion, they have eaten it because their tummies are upset, and it does help them to purge. As ML says, when eating it for enjoyment they seek out very specific types of grass. I noticed one day when one of my dogs was feeling ill that she was absolutely desperate to eat grass – any grass at all, and was ripping it out of the ground and stuffing it down. That was my clue that she felt sick.
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> I usually make my own raw food. I belong to a food co-op and sometimes buy meats that are difficult to find at the grocery store. I always try to get just ground meat-and-bone as I can add in my own veggies and organs, and I can control the amounts. I have used Oma’s, especially for green tripe. I once tried Aunt Jennies, but that has Rosemary, not that it was a problem for my dogs, but they thought it smelled odd. I’ve also bought Steve’s nuggets. I wouldn’t think that any of these are “better” than NV, just what I have tried for my dogs.
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> I think the vets do the standard allergy test with scrapings on the skin. People used to say that they’re not very accurate, but I think they have improved over the years.
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> There is some allergenic kibble, where the protein molecules have been scrambled or something. I hear that it’s pretty awful stuff (compared to raw) BUT people are saying that it’s possible to try a bag just to see if it IS the food causing allergic problems. I’ve never tried it.
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> A friend’s poodle has major allergic problems, and still needs to have steroid shots twice a year. My friend feeds grain-free kibble (Orijen) and special treats. She tries very hard with his diet, but still he continues to itch, especially at certain times of the year. I suspect that it could also be stress-induced in this case (because they get busy and have to leave him home alone for long stretches), but who knows.
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> It’s good that you are giving fish oil. I forgot to add that if you give Omega 3′s, it’s necessary to give Vitamin E as well. Roughly 200 iu per day for a 50 pound dog.
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> Glad you have checked for fleas, although that would have been an easier fix than sleuthing for the causes of allergies…..