As a dog owner, you’d like to ensure that your dog has the longest and most healthy life you can. The same dry kibble every day can be quite boring for any living thing. It can be not easy to sort through the advice from social media sites messages, ads, and numerous claims made by experts. What is the truth about dog food?
We spoke to vet Brian Collins, D.V.M. from Cornell’s Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center. “Feeding your dog with fresh food is a way to diversify their lives, and is beneficial for their mental well-being as well as their stomach,” said Collins.
The healthy ingredients to be looking on in Pet Food
Before you dive into specific food items There are some general rules that dog owners should be aware of. Beware of ingredients (especially xylitol) and stick to all-natural whole food. Take note of if your dog suffers from preexisting health issues or is taking medication. Also, consider their weight, or if your dog is generally having difficulties eating, in which the food must be broken into smaller portions.
Although there is a trend to cook food for dogs, this will require the assistance of an animal nutritionist. “There are several scientific methods that can ensure that your dog’s diet contains the right amount of carbohydrates as well as protein, fat, as well as nutrients such calcium, and other minerals and vitamins,” Collins added. Collins.
Explore other options to enhance your nutritional intake by using slow-feeding bowls for puzzles or toys that let you feed your dog nutritious meals between meals, such as frozen popsicles. In general, If you’re in doubt seek advice from your veterinarian!
These are our top 10 most effective and worst dog food options as per a vet.
The 5 Foods that are Best for Dogs
Apples
Apples are an excellent supply of Vitamin C and vitamin A, as well as antioxidants, potassium, and fiber. These are beneficial for dogs. 1 Be certain to cut the apple into pieces as you would with humans, and refrain from feeding your dog seeds, as they can be harmful and cause intestinal tract obstructions.
Blueberries
Blueberries are rich in vitamin C and fiber, as well as antioxidants, antioxidants, and phytochemicals. This makes blueberries a good option for us humans as well as for our furry friends. 2 “Frozen blueberries are a great way for cooling your pet down” stated Collins. You can keep an organic bag of frozen blueberries in the freezer to cool off on hot days as a treat for your sweet tooth or as a snack to add to your dinner.
Peanut Butter
Peanuts are a great source of protein. peanut butter is excellent for covering up medications, bath time and even for making enrichment toys. Make sure that the peanut butter tastes as pure as it can be and is free of any additives such as sugar, palm oil, and salt. Many natural food stores use machines to make peanut butter using only unsalted peanuts.
Cucumber
Green vegetables with a high fluid content such as cucumbers zucchini and green beans are ideal, particularly for dogs with raging appetites or who are trying to maintain a healthy body weight, as per Collins. Cucumber is particularly low in calories and is high in vitamin B Vitamin C Vitamin K, magnesium, and potassium. 3 Be certain to cut off the ends of the cucumber and cut cubes into small pieces to prevent getting choked. Some vets recommend that you peel off the skin.
Meat
Lean meat that has been cooked in the water or with its juices, and without seasonings or excessive fats and oils is the best choice. Collins suggests caution when feeding bones to dogs since hard bones can break a dog’s teeth and get stuck in its mouth or create GI obstruction of the tract. Lean meats, like turkey or chicken, with no skin and carefully removed from the bones, are considered to be a good choice.
The 5 Best Worst Foods for Dogs
Macadamia Nuts
Macadamia nut toxicosis can be characterized by weakness, vomiting, hyperthermia, and central nervous system depression. 4 “We encounter lots of dogs that have eaten macadamia nuts accidentally during the holiday season,” Collins shared. If you bake with nuts, or if your dog is susceptible to grabbing food from tables or plates Be extra cautious.
Grapes and Raisins
Ingestion of just one grape may cause kidney failure that is irreparable in dogs, as per Collins. If your dog has eaten a raisin, grape, or food item containing these ingredients, such as raisin bread call your veterinarian or animal hospital right away because vets carry medications that can aid to make a dog vomit before poisons are absorbed by the body. If you are unable to reach an animal doctor, hydrogen peroxide may be a last resort (but make sure to consult with the veterinarian first).
Chocolate
Chocolate is chock-full of caffeine and theobromine, two chemical compounds that affect dogs’ hearts and central nervous systems and function as diuretics that could lead to water loss. 5 The more dark the chocolate (the greater the cacao content) the more fatal the amount can be. This means that all foods that contain caffeine, such as coffee, ought to be avoided.
Alliums
Leeks, onions, garlic, and chives all belong to the Allium family of plants, which are rich in N-propyl disulfides as well as Thiosulfates which can cause harm to the white blood cells. 6 Beware when cooking with these vegetables since even a tiny bit could cause injury to pets, specifically smaller dogs. While we might not offer these foods on their own with our dogs, they’re frequently found in sauces and seasonings for meats and other meals.
Chewing Gum
Anything that contains xylitol can be toxic for dogs. Even a tiny amount of xylitol can cause the blood sugar levels of a dog to drop in dangerous quantities, which can lead to vomiting and loss of balance. It can also cause seizures and even an insufficiency of the liver. 7 “I do not keep chewing gum at home even if I want to,” says Collins, who owns three pets of his own. Even if the dog doesn’t immediately experience symptoms, they might require monitoring for a night by a veterinarian. Xylitol is among those sneaky ingredients that are hidden in sweets that contain sugar, such as light ice creams, and baked items.
The Bottom Line
The affection we feel for our furry companions is unstoppable and perhaps reading this article will give you some ideas to think about (pun meant). Every pet owner is looking to provide their dogs with the best possible life when they’re on this Earth alongside us. The good thing is you do not have to make a fuss or invest lots of money. Many simple fresh food items are simple to add to your grocery cart. In addition, adding fresh vegetables and fruits will benefit us all and the loved ones we cherish as well as the dogs that bring us joy and happiness.