There's a huge debate that has been waging for several years now, but only in the last one to two years have things really heated up. No I'm not talking about the next presidential election, I'm talking about dog food. Yes that's right, dog food. Now when I was a kid we had farm dogs. They ate our scraps with a little bit of kibble mixed in, they lived outside except for when it got cold then they came into the house, and they worked the farm just like we did. But those dogs are rarely found in today's society. Dog's have moved up in the world! They are replacing children who are flying away from the nest and leaving mom and dad behind, alone. They are filling the voids for many seniors and singles who want a companion who doesn't talk back and gives them unwavering love, loyalty and devotion. And these pampered pooches deserve only the best according to their owners and that includes their food. The debate started years ago with do you feed Fido wet or dry dog food , but has since changed into a multitude of decisions to make. Wet or Dry? Raw and Organic versus Commercial dry? High protein or vegetarian? Gluten Free or Grain free? The questions really are endless. I know that for my pups a high protein dry kibble works best for their system, and I pay dearly to make sure they have a high quality diet, but I do supplement with healthy "human" foods. But some owners actually prepare each and every meal that Rover eats. Buying only the freshest and best cuts of meats and organic veggies. Some owners impart their own dietary choices on their pets and so we have vegetarian and even vegan dogs! Now let us remember that at some point in the evolution of the dog they went from being pack hunting animals whose only means of eating was to kill prey animals. In fact I don't recall ever seeing or hearing about a pack of wolves tracking the scent of a carrot or ambushing broccoli! Nor do I remember seeing a wild dingo with a spice rack strapped to his back to flavor his food as he hunted. But these were the ancestors of our prized pups of today and in today's society, what you feed your dog can result in your status symbol amongst your peers. But should Fido really be eating "human" foods? And if so, then what is best? So I scoured the internet and came up with a few lists of foods fit for Fido. But before you take my advice and before you change up your pet’s diet, talk to your vet. He or she will know the best diet to fit your pet’s dietary needs and can steer you in the right direction.
Foods Fit For Fido-
Apples- full of fiber, vitamins a and c, omega fatty acids 3 and 6, antioxidants, flavonoids and polyphenols, they are a nutrient rich powerhouse that are healthy not only for humans but your four legged friends as well. With one exception, never let Fido eat the core and seeds! The seeds contain a form of cyanide that we humans can filter out through our bodies but dogs cannot. And they should only be given occasionally as a treat, too much of their goodness can cause diarrhea and they are high in sugar which could lead to obesity and diabetes.
Eggs- Loaded with protein and a wide variety of vitamins, minerals and nutrients they are excellent not only for a luxurious coat but as a daily supplement to any dogs diet, wet or dry. But one question remains, do you give them to Rover raw or cooked? Some will cite salmonella poisoning and a biotin deficiency caused by a substance in the raw egg whites and so cooking would be best. But salmonella is fairly rare in dogs and the biotin contained in the yolks make up for any deficiency from the whites. So ask your vet or cook them softly just to be safe.
Fish- Fish is a great source of protein for Fido and a great substitute for dogs with meat allergies, but it should be cooked first as some fish such as salmon contain parasites that can be extremely harmful. And be sure to remove any and all bones from the fish before feeding it to your pal, fish bones can wreak havock on a pups gums and digestive tract.
Raw Meat- Some say yes some say no and so the debate rages on about feeding Rover raw meat of any kind. Things to take into consideration are salmonella, parasites such as e. coli and microbes found in raw meat. And let us not forget the bones, large raw meaty bones are ok say some vets but cooked bones should never be given to your pet as they can splinter and damage their digestive and intestinal tracts. If you are going to give your buddy raw meat it should be of the highest quality, fresh and organic, but if you do cook it, leave it a little rare. We don't want to cook out all of the nutrients and enzymes we're trying to give them. As far as quality goes, if you wouldn't eat it then Sparky shouldn't either.
Organ Meats- Organ Meats are the most valued parts of the prey animal for your pet to eat. In the wild, dogs and wolves go for the organ meats first because that's where all the nutrients are, more so than in the muscle meat. Liver is the most valuable but the kidneys, heart, gizzards and tripe are all very nutritious as well. Organ meat makes up 1/6th to 1/4th of a prey animal’s body so try to keep within those portion sizes when feeding organ meat to Fido. You can mix a little in with every meal or allow for an all organ meal of beef or chicken liver once or twice a week. Raw if it's absolutely fresh and organic or slightly cooked, either way Rover will love it.
Vegetables-Now just because wolves and wild dogs don't track the scent of a band of roaming asparagus doesn't mean they don't eat vegetables, they most certainly do. But it comes in the form of predigested vegetation found in the stomach of the prey animal they happen to be munching on. While some humans abstain from eating meat and live only on eating vegetables that's just not a well balanced diet for your pet, they need protein. Adding vegetables to your dog's diet can boost their nutrient levels and be very beneficial for them. But their bodies don't break down foods the same way our bodies do so when adding vegetables to their food you should grind them up first or juice them and add the juice and the pulp. This helps to release the most nutrients, vitamins and minerals from veggies and is easier for your pet to digest. Most fruits and vegetables are ok in moderation, vegetables should comprise 5-25% of your dog’s meal. But there are a few fruits and veggies that should never be given to your precious pup. Grapes, raisin, onions or onion powder or anything cooked with onion, raw potatoes, avocados and apple cores and seeds.
Grains- Grains are an important part of Sparky's well balanced diet and plain rice can be a miracle worker for a pup who needs a bland diet for a few days due to digestive woes. But some grains contain gluten, like wheat, and gluten is a noted allergen for many dogs so stick with oats, barley or quinoa, which is a protein power punch for your pup. Symptoms of a gluten allergy are itchy skin and ear inflammation which can cause Sparky to rub and shake his head and ears. If you suspect a gluten allergy talk to your vet.
Yogurt- Dogs need calcium and protein for healthy bones and muscle and yogurt packs in both! Preferably the plain, unsweetened organic and raw kind is the best for your pooch. And the acidofolous in yogurt will help keep yeast activity to a minimum.
Peanut Butter- Please note that peanuts are not actually nuts, they're legumes, and you shouldn't feed some nuts and seeds to your pup at all, but peanut butter is highly nutritious with protein, healthy fats and vitamins b and e. Now I'm not talking about Jiff or Peter Pan or the other types of sugar laden peanut butters you find on the shelf in most grocery stores, I'm talking about raw organic no sugar added peanut butter. It's a great treat and fun to watch them try to get every last lick out of a kong. Just freeze some in an ice cube tray, pop it in a kong and watch him play for hours trying to get every morsel!
So if you’re wanting to change up your pup’s diet, first talk to their vet, he or she will be able to start you on the right track and do some research before you make any dietary changes to Fido’s dinner.
