Optimal Feeding Guide for Dogs: Tips & Recommendations

Today, let's delve into how to feed our furry friends, the dogs, in the best way possible.

Dogs, much like their wild counterparts, are carnivorous by nature, preferring fresh meats. However, they also share a similarity with humans as omnivores, capable of enjoying and digesting a variety of foods, including vegetables and fruits.

Dog Food

The typical nutritional composition of commercial dog food includes:

Protein: 16%

Fat: 23%

Carbohydrates: 1.7%

Minerals: 3.5%

Water: 56%

To support a dog's growth and maintain its normal lifestyle, it's crucial to provide a balanced diet that includes the seven essential nutrients: water, protein, fat, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, and fiber.

Advantages of Dog Food:

1. Dog food can be likened to a compressed meal, offering a universal, nutritionally balanced option with low oil and salt content. It ensures that your dog is wellfed, supports basic development and health, and maintains a balanced diet.

2. For busy individuals like working professionals, dog food is a convenient choice. It ensures your pet is wellfed without the need for constant monitoring.

Disadvantages of Pellet Dog Food:

1. Low water content can lead to urinary tract stones in dogs.

2. Due to the low moisture, dogs may eat more and drink more water, causing the pellets to expand when wet, potentially leading to weight gain, vomiting, and gastric torsion.

3. Be cautious when purchasing, as some pellet dog foods may have low protein content and vitamins and minerals that are either over or underadded.

4. Compared to homemade meals, dogs often show a preference for the latter.

Leftovers

The nutritional composition of human leftovers includes carbohydrates, proteins, fats, fibers, a small amount of vitamins and calcium, water, and some salt and oil. While leftovers and dog food share similar categories of nutrients, the issue lies in the higher oil and salt content in leftovers.

Dogs naturally prefer leftovers due to their palatable nature, much like how humans might gravitate towards indulgent, highfat foods. The rich oil and water content in leftovers can make commercial dog food seem dry in comparison.

Advantages of Leftovers:

The dog's joy is palpable when offered leftovers; their tails wag with the enthusiasm of a helicopter's blades.

Disadvantages of Leftovers:

Since leftovers are human food, they tend to be high in oil and salt. Overindulgence can lead to issues like hair loss, tear stains, and bad breath in dogs.

Therefore, pet parents can opt for commercial dog food as the staple diet, ensuring that their dogs are wellfed and receive essential nutrients. On top of this, occasional homemade meals can be introduced for variety.

For instance, you can take leftover rice and meat, rinse off any surface seasonings, and heat them up in the microwave for safe consumption. Alternatively, you can prepare a bone broth without salt, mix it with rice and vegetables, and offer the dog some cartilage for extra enjoyment.

By combining the convenience of commercial dog food with the occasional homemade treat, you can create a balanced and nutritious diet that keeps your dog happy and healthy.