Choosing a Natural Dog Food

Recently, I’ve been taking more of an interest in my own health than ever before. That means exercising more, but more than that, it means eating right. I say “more than that” because I focus more of my time on planning my diet than I do on exercise. Sad, but true. Anyway, I’ve learned a lot about nutrition in the past year or so, but the takeaway is very simple: avoid processed foods at all costs. In order to really be healthy, you should be eating real fruits and vegetables (you know; the ones that come out of the ground). So, that’s that. But, in the past month or so, I started wondering about Wanda. I’m doing all of these great things for my own health, but what about my four-legged best friend? I’m feeding her crap, aren’t I?

After looking at the label, I can tell you that yes, I kind of was feeding her crap (sorry, Wanda). The dog food she likes is a little better than some of the other packaged foods out there, but it’s not the best thing she could be eating. After learning what I’ve learned about food, I know that the best thing I could give her is pretty much the same thing I’m eating – but that’s not always an option. Although, in sharing a little of my food with her, I learned that she’s crazy about broccoli rabe – how bizarre is that?

So, yes, I will continue to give her the healthy stuff and avoid giving her things like avocados and onions that are okay for humans, but harmful for dogs. But, what should I look for in a dog food? I did a little research, and here’s what I found:

Fat: An adult dog should have about 21 grams of fat each day.

Carbs: Should account for about 50 percent of a dog’s diet.

Protein: Dogs need to eat about 10 percent by weight, and it can be mixed between animal and plant proteins.

Dogs also need a variety of vitamins and minerals in order to stay healthy; very similar to us humans.

My main concern with this whole thing was it being too expensive. You know; going to a gourmet dog food can be extremely pricey, and it seems even more so when you're looking at it on the salary of a paralegal. But, I felt better after I learned that a dog's nutritional needs are very similar to our own. I don't mind giving her some of my veggies to supplement a diet of natural dog food. After all, she is my bestest friend.

People Food for Your Dog

After posting a few times about what not to feed your dog, I thought it was time to post a bit about which “people foods” are actually good for your dog. Feel free to use any of the items listed here as an occasional treat for your four-legged friend:

1. Raw, unsalted peanut butter is a favorite treat for a lot of dogs. It’s a good source of protein, vitamin B, niacin and vitamin E.

2. Add some cooked chicken or salmon to your dog’s regular food to give him a little extra protein boost. If you ever find that you don’t have any dog food on hand, you can feed your dog chicken instead.

3. Low or reduced fat cheese can make a great treat for your dog if he isn’t lactose intolerant. If you are not sure about this, you should keep an eye on your dog’s reaction the first time you give him some cheese. You also don’t want to over-feed your dog cheese since it can be high in fat and cholesterol. A good choice here is cottage cheese.

4. Vegetables, such as baby carrots and green beans, are great sources of fiber. They also don’t contain a lot of calories. Just make sure that they don’t have any added salt.

5. Fruits, such as pumpkin or apple slices, are also good sources of vitamin A and fiber, which is good for your dog’s digestion. Before you give him an apple, make sure to remove the seeds and the core so he doesn’t choke.

6. Breakfast foods like eggs and oatmeal are also great for fiber and protein. They will help your dog if he has any problems with his bowels. Just make sure you cook them before serving.

7. Yogurt is high in calcium and protein but make sure that it doesn’t contain any sugar or artificial sweetener.

More Foods NOT to Give Your Dog

After writing my post last week about people food that you shouldn’t give your dog, I thought it would be helpful to lest a few more. Oh yeah, and I also felt a little bad for condemning those who feed their dog people food – so, I wanted to clarify my position on that. I do think it’s irresponsible to feed your dog random scraps from the table. On the other hand, it can actually be very healthy to feed your dog a diet of the right “people” foods. For example, boiled chicken and rice are recommended for your canine friends, and they both are probably better than the “dog food” you buy at the store. So, for those of you who are trying to do the right thing by feeding your dog “people food,” I wanted to share a few more of those foods you need to avoid.

Artificial sweeteners: These contain xylitol and can cause low blood sugar, which can result in vomiting and weakness. Large amounts can cause liver failure.
Bones: Don't give your dog bones from your meal. Yes, dogs like bones, but they cann splinter and cause obstructions in or lacerations to a dog’s digestive system.
Grapes, raisins and currants: These contain a toxin that is damaging to a dog’s kidneys.
Macadamia nuts: These contain a toxin that can damage a dog's digestive, nervous and muscular systems.
Milk and dairy products: Large amounts of dairy can give a dog diarrhea or other stomach ailments.
Garlic and onions (raw, cooked or powdered): These can contain sulfoxides and disulfides. These can damage red blood cells and cause anemia.
Raw eggs: Raw eggs may contain Salmonella, and they contain an enzyme that decreases the absorption of biotin, which can cause hair and skin problems.
Raw meat: Raw meat may contain bacteria such as E. Coli and Salmonella.

If your dog has eaten these foods, he or she may appear tired, listless or weak. He or she may also vomit, have diarrhea, or a rapid heart-rate. If your dog exhibits these systems and has recently ingested these foods, it’s a good idea to call the veterinarian.