Figuring out your dog’s diet can be intimidating to new dog owners. You want to make sure your furbaby is getting all the right nutrients and that you don’t accidentally give them something that would hurt them! A good diet can help your dog live a long, happy, healthy life. If you have ever wondered, "What foods can my dog eat;" this information is for you.
Dog Food
A good quality dog food is a great basis for your dog’s diet, and some dogs do very well with a meal plan consisting solely of dog food. You want to make sure the ingredients are real and recognizable with a named protein such as chicken or a fish first, as opposed to unnamed meat meals.
You also want to see whole grains, such as ones humans eat, like whole wheat, brown rice, barley, and rye, as well as vegetables in the dog food to ensure that your pup has a balanced diet. Many dog-foods containing grains have ones that are low-quality with little to no nutritional value. With this in mind, grain-free dog foods can be a good choice, in order to avoid those filler grains!
Meat
Dogs are mostly carnivores, so raw meat can be an excellent choice to feed your dog. Human-grade meat is best, as some pet meats have harmful preservatives.
Small amounts of cooked meat are good, as well, just make sure it doesn’t have cooked bones, an excess of fat, or substances containing onions or garlic in them, as these are bad and toxic for dogs.
If you do feed your dog meat, balance it out with vegetables and grains like rice.
Fish
Fish is a fantastic source of protein - in moderation. Fully cooked fish, like salmon, also contains plenty of omega-3 fatty acids, which have health benefits like boosting your dog’s heart health. Check for bones first, as these can tear your dog’s intestines. Raw fish can carry harmful bacteria, and too much fish can lead to obesity, so it is best to talk to a vet before making fish a regular part of your dog’s diet.
Bones
Bones, especially raw, meaty bones, are good for keeping your dog’s teeth and gums healthy by helping to remove plaque. It’s important to keep the bones raw, as cooked ones are brittle and can splinter, potentially causing serious, if not life-threatening issues.
While bones are good for dogs, too much of a good thing isn’t good for anyone. Too many bones can constipate your dog, as can swallowing a whole bone. It’s best to keep bones to one or two a week, and to make sure they are big enough that your dog can’t fit their whole mouth around it.
Vegetables
While dogs are mostly carnivores, they need their veggies too! Vegetables like carrots, beets, pumpkins, yams, and green beans provide fiber to boost your dog’s digestive system. Celery, cucumbers, and squash also contain plenty of important vitamins and minerals to help your dog’s immune system, heart health, and more. Plus, celery helps freshen your doggie’s breath!
Other vegetables that are good for dogs, but more so in moderation, include: brussel sprouts, cabbage, and broccoli (they can cause gas!).
It is important to note that while some vegetables are good for dogs, some are very toxic. Vegetables to avoid giving your pup include, but are not limited to: onions, garlic, and wild mushrooms. Onions and garlic can cause anemia, and wild mushrooms can be poisonous.
Fruits
Fruits can be a great sweet treat to give your dog, with plenty of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. These should be restricted to a treat, because their sugar content tends to be too high for dogs to consume on a regular basis. Every once in a while, though, is perfectly fine! Some options include: apples, bananas, blueberries, cantaloupe, cranberries, peaches, watermelon, and strawberries.
As with vegetables, there are fruits that are very bad for dogs. These include, but are not limited to: cherries, grapes, and tomatoes.
Grains
To round out the meat and the veg, dogs can have grains too! Whole wheat, brown rice, barley, oats, millet, quinoa, rye, and corn are all good sources of carbs for your dog. Do make sure the grains you get are good quality, as poor quality grains can lead to low nutritional values and allergies.
Now that we know what foods your pup can have, let’s go over some of the ones they can’t.
What to avoid:
Now that you know the answer to the question, "What foods can my dog eat," hopefully you will feel more secure in what you chose to feed them! If you have any doubts, don’t be afraid to ask your veterinarian or a trusted breeder.
