Dog nutrition is not just about buying the most expensive dog food out there. It has many facets that you have to concern yourself with to make sure that you don’t make your dog sick. Unfortunately, a lot of people feel that it’s an unnecessary expense so they don’t really take care of it, only to spend more later on as their dogs become sick and their vet’s bill skyrockets. Of course, you wouldn’t want your dog to get sick, right?
The First Thing that You Should Learn
First of all, you have to know that dog nutrition is different from people nutrition. This is why you shouldn’t be feeding your dog too much “people food”. In addition to potentially making your dog sick, these foods can also make your dog overweight.
Also, there are certain foods that you shouldn’t feed your dog. Feeding them to your dog almost ensures a trip to the vet. Here are foods that you shouldn’t feed to your dog:
- Chocolate
- Avocado
- Onion
- Garlic
- Grapes or raisin
- Dairy products like milk and ice cream
- Macadamia nuts
- Candy
- Bones
- Peaches
There are other foods that can be fatal to your dog, so make sure to check first before giving it to them.
The General Rule
Here’s the general rule – people foods are for people and dog foods are for dogs. Sounds simple enough? Of course, this rule is not written in stone, since you can feed select people food to dogs as well. However, this doesn’t mean that you can simply slip in a slice of whatever you’re having for dinner to your dog at the dinner table.
You shouldn’t encourage your dog to beg at your dinner table since you are eating people food. What if what you’re eating is bad for dogs? You should be in control of dog nutrition so don’t let your pet dictate to you what it wants to eat.
Stick to dog food for the most part. This is because dog food is well, designed for dogs. Dog foods are formulated to be friendly with the dog’s digestive system. On the other hand, a lot of our foods cannot be handled by the digestive system of dogs.
Foods that are Okay for Dogs
Better yet, just focus on foods that are proven to be good for dog nutrition. These are foods that can be consumed by your dog in moderation. Add them to your dog’s foods and treats to inject variety into your dog’s daily diet.
Tip: Make sure to use these foods as snacks and/or treats, and not main meals. This means don’t let your dog get used to it, so just serve these foods in moderation.
Here is a list of foods that you can give to your dog:
- Cooked chicken
Dogs need protein as well, and cooked chicken is a good option to add extra protein to your dog’s diet. It’s also a good way to add another flavor to your dog’s bowl of dog food. Mix cooked chicken with dog food for a good burst of flavor for your dog.
It can even serve as a meal replacement just in case you ran out of dog food. If you have a lot of turkey leftover after Thanksgiving, turkey will work fine as well.
- Baby carrots
They’re delicious and good for dog nutrition as well. They can provide your dog with a boost of fiber, vitamin A, and beta carotene. It’s also good for your dog’s teeth. You can feed baby carrots to your dog as treats.
- Salmon
Salmon is not called a “super food” for nothing. It can help improve your dog’s immune system so go ahead and feed cooked salmon to your dog every now and then. Just make sure to remove all bones. You can also use salmon oil by adding it to your dog’s food. If you’re not a fan of salmon skin, go ahead and give it to your dog.
As an added bonus, the omega 3 fatty acids found in salmon can make your dog’s coat shinier and healthier.
- Flax seed
In addition to salmon, you can also serve flax seed or oil since it’s packed with omega 3 fatty acids as well. Buy whole flax seeds and just grind them up right before serving them.
- Eggs
Just like cooked chicken, eggs provide a good protein boost for dogs which is important for dog nutrition. Just make sure that the eggs are cooked. Scramble them for a healthy meal for your dog, giving your buddy a dose of selenium and riboflavin.
- Cheese
Looking for a new treat that you can give to your lactose tolerant dog? Cheese is the answer! Start by giving a couple of small cubes first just to check for any negative reaction. Also, opt for the low-fat varieties as some cheeses are very high in fat. You can start with cream cheese and take it from there. On that note, don’t feed a lot of cheese to your dog as it can lead to obesity.
Here’s a good tip – make a cheese omelet for your dog!
- Apple slices
Is your dog’s breath bad enough to knock you out? Have your dog munch on some apple slices. This can help your dog get rid of some residues in its teeth, so it can help lessen bad breath. In addition, apples are packed with vitamins A and C. It’s also packed with fiber.
Just make sure to take out the apple’s core and seeds before feeding the slices to your dog.
- Peanut butter
You’ll be surprised to know that a lot of dogs love peanut butter. In addition to the healthy fats found in peanut butter, your dog can also benefit from the niacin and vitamins B and E found in peanut butter. Fill up a Kong with peanut butter and that should keep your dog busy and satisfied for hours.
Just remember to choose the raw and unsalted variety since it’s healthier.
- Yogurt
The live bacteria found in yogurt are good for dog nutrition since it serves as a probiotic which can clean up your dog’s digestive system. As a bonus, it’s also packed with protein and calcium. Just make sure to stick to yogurt that doesn’t have additional sugars and artificial sweeteners.
- Green beans
Green beans are great because they’re very filling so a little goes a long way. Best of all, they’re very low in calories so they’re not going to cause obesity. Of course, this is provided that you choose green beans that have no added salt.
- Oatmeal
Men’s breakfast of champions can be a great source of fiber for dogs. This is why owners of older dogs that have bowel problems feed oatmeal to their dog. Just make sure that it’s cooked. Also, don’t add any sugars or additives in order to add flavor.
- Pumpkin
Just like baby carrots, pumpkins are packed with vitamin A and beta carotene. In addition, it also has a lot of fiber that can help improve a dog’s digestive system.
- Melon
Out with your dog on a hot day? Have him munch on some cooled melon once you get home. It’s refreshing and healthy as well.
- Sweet potatoes
Here’s another food that’s packed with nutrients namely beta carotene, vitamins B6 and C, manganese and fiber. You can also turn them into treats. Just slice them up and dehydrate them and you’ll turn them into chewy treats that your dog will surely love.
Feed Your Dog Safe and Delicious Foods
As mentioned, it’s best to stick to dog food for the majority of your dog’s diet. But for the purpose of dog nutrition, you can also give you dog these foods in moderation. They can give your pet the boost that they need. This is important because most dog foods don’t have the nutrition found in these people foods.
They also provide your dog with variety which is almost as important as dog nutrition. Can you eat the same foods for the rest of your life? It’s the same thing with dogs. They wouldn’t want to eat dog food for the rest of their life, so inject a few varieties to their diet every now and then.
Make Sure that your Pet is Well-Fed
At the end of the day, you simply have to make sure that your dog is well-fed. This is important for dog nutrition. Make sure that you have a stock of dog food for your pet, and you can feed your pet any of these foods just in case you run out of dog food.
By making sure that your pet is well-fed, it wouldn’t go out rummaging through the trash. You’ll be exposing your dog to foods that are bad for dog nutrition if you don’t do so. Feed your pet the required amount of dog food per day, and use any of these foods as treats and/or snacks to make sure that your pet is well-fed all throughout the day.