Barley Grass, Wheat Grass & Alfalfa Supplements for Dogs

Dogs love to eat grass. Many dog owners find their dogs munching grass in a park or field, and wonder why. Theories include a need for roughage and greenery, an urge for a natural cleaning agent that works by causing the dog to vomit, a detoxifying agent and a lack of vitamins and minerals in the dog's system. Whatever your dog's reason, a grass supplement will provide him with the ingredients he needs without experiencing side effects.

  1. Using Supplements

    • Commercial dog foods are mass produced, and while most claim to be nutritionally balanced, they may not provide all the nutrients a dog needs. Vitamins and supplements have become more common over the past few years, and herbal medicines are widely used to counter some medical conditions. The easiest way to ensure your dog gets the vitamins and minerals she needs is to include nutritional supplements in her diet.

    Barley Grass

    • Barley grass is considered an excellent source of nutrients, including vitamins C and E, active enzymes, beta-carotene, chlorophyll, proteins, amino acids and essential trace minerals. Given regularly to your dog, it promotes healthy skin and coat, fresher breath and improved digestion. In senior dogs, it restores energy levels and has been found to improve mobility caused by canine arthritis. Barley grass contains a substance called P4D1, which has strong anti-inflammatory qualities and has been shown to repair DNA in the body's cell, preventing cancer, aging and cell death. Yasuo Hotta, a biologist from the University of California La Jolla, discovered that P4D1 also suppresses pancreatitis, dermatitis and other conditions. Since the grass has tiny barbs on the blades that irritate a dog's stomach, dry, powdered barley grass is safer and can be added to wet or dry dog food.

    Wheat Grass

    • Wheat grass juice is made from sprouted wheat berries and is said to be high in chlorophyll. Proponents claim that the juice "cleanses" the dog's system, neutralizes toxins, slows down the aging process and prevents cancer. A breeder from Ontario, Canada tells a story about an elderly Irish wolfhound with terminal cancer that went on to live pain-free for an additional nine months after he was given concentrated wheat grass juice.

    Alfalfa

    • Alfalfa sprouts contain protein; vitamins A, B, C, E, and K; carotene and chlorophyll; and minerals including calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc and iron. The herb is believed to be beneficial to the dog's kidneys as well as for stimulation of its immune system. Studies in humans have shown that the herb helps prevent cancer and heart disease, and alfalfa also has an alkalizing effect that is useful for treating bladder disorders.