What Foods Are Healthy For Dogs

Superfoods In Your Kitchen: 15 Healthy Treats For Dogs

As more people have embraced healthier eating, and become more aware of what theyre putting on their plates and in their dogs bowls, the term superfood has become ubiquitous. Its been used to describe everything from acai berries to zucchini and its helped sell a lot of supplements.

When it comes to foods for your dog, there are some that qualify as super in that theyre safe to eat, and nutrient-dense. If youre feeding dry food and looking for ways to boost your dogs intake of nutrients, consider some of the foods below as a meal-topper. If youre feeding a diet of fresh food, you dont necessarily need the nutrient boost these foods provide, but they can make great choices for occasional treats.

What makes a food super?

But first, lets establish: what is a superfoodand is it really super?

The term superfood achieved the distinction of being added to the Merriam Webster dictionary in 2014 and is defined as a food that is rich in compounds considered beneficial to a persons health. But the idea of superfoods dates back to the early 20th century, and, like so many things, has its origins in a marketing campaign.

Read on for a list of superfoods that are safe and healthy for dogs, find out the foods nutritional benefits, and learn tips on how to prepare and feed your dog these super, and super delicious, foods.

Blueberries

Anchovies and sardines

Bone broth

Carrots

Chia seeds

Dark, leafy greens

Eggs

Ginger

Olive oil

Parsley

Pumpkin

Turmeric

Watermelon

Yogurt

Raw Or Undercooked Meat

Raw meat can contain Escherichia coli and Salmonella, which are types of bacteria that can cause food poisoning in dogs and humans. Cooking the meat properly kills the bacteria.

In recent years, certain manufacturers have promoted the benefits of raw meat for dogs, and some boutique products contain it.

It is important to understand that raw meat diets pose health risks to dogs and may not provide a complete nutritional balance.

Best Dry Food: Purina Beyond Simply White Meat

Looking for an all-natural dry food for your dog? You cant go wrong with this chicken-and-barley Purina formulation. Purina has been in the pet food space for many, many years, says Dr. Robinson. They are trusted, hire veterinary nutritionists to oversee their recipes, and have lots of years of knowledge backing them up.

Chicken is the main ingredient here, but this dry food is additionally infused with sunflower oil and its omega-6 fatty acids, which make a dogs skin healthy and coat gorgeous. Natural probiotics also aid in digestion. Chicken, by the way, is one of the best cancer-fighting foods for dogs.

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via diamondpet.com

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Evangers Dry Dog Food

Evangers Chicken Dry Dog Food is formulated to meet the nutrition levels determined by the AAFCO dog food profiles for all life stages.

Fresh chicken is the first and main ingredient. There is zero corn, soy fillers or wheat.

Other quality ingredients are oatmeal, dried egg, carrots, Vitamin A supplement, d-calcium pantothenate , chicken, chicken meal, dried kelp, cranberries, blueberries, brown rice, celery, beets, parsley, lettuce, watercress, spinach, potassium chloride, Vitamin E supplement, Vitamin B12 supplement, Niacin supplement.There is no doubt this product can be considered a good diet plan for your dog.

Why We Believe In Feed Clean

There is no greater privilege than being loved by a pet. There is also no greater responsibility. All the “life” in your pet’s life is dependent upon the choices you make, and because a pet’s food energizes them from the inside out, no choice is more overwhelming than how to feed them.

“What is the best way to feed dogs and cats?” That is the question at the heart of our brand. It’s the journey we’ve been on for nearly a century, and each day the NUTRO brand promises to strive to find a better answer.Ninety years ago, we were a pioneer of natural dog food. Today and for the future – we are committed to our philosophy. NUTRO. FEED CLEAN.

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Can Dogs Eat Popcorn

The corn itself is fine for dogs to eat, but the hull can be dangerous for pets, especially those with smaller throats. The kernel can get stuck between teeth, scrape the throat, or get lodged in your dogs airway.

Additionally, the toppings you put on popcorn could cause issues for dogs. Salt, butter, and other unhealthy popcorn additives can cause digestive problems, diarrhea, and dehydration. Over time, this could also contribute to kidney damage and obesity.

If youre interested in sharing your snack, learn how to give your dog popcorn safely.

Tips To Determine A Good Dog Food By The Label

Now that you have a better understanding of the difference between the worst and the best dog food, here is a list of quick tips to help you identify a good food simply by glancing at the label:

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What Human Foods Can Dogs Eat

Its no secret that dogs love food. They sometimes eat strange things , and they will happily scarf down human food. But most dog owners know that there are plenty of human foods dogs cant eatnot just because;they can be unhealthy but because they can be toxic. And beyond that, dogs can have adverse reactions to certain foods, even if they are supposedly good for them. Its important to know that dogs can have food intolerances just like people, causing gastrointestinal upset or even an allergic reaction, says Kelly Ryan, DVM, Director of Veterinary Services for the Animal Medical Center of Mid-America. Be sure to monitor your dog and check with your vet if youre questioning whether to introduce a new food. Dr. Ryan also notes that human food that is not a specific part of your dogs daily food regimen should not take up more than 10 percent of his caloric intake; thats an important guideline when devising the very best diet for your dog. But if you want to feed your pup human food in a responsible way, youre probably wondering what human foods your dog can eat. Here are the best options.

What Is The Best Dog Food

It seems like a simple question until you actually get into the meat and bones of it which is exactly what we plan to do. Choosing the best dog food to buy for a dog is a more complex process than many dog owners realize especially if you really want to give your dog the best of the best.

You could read all of the top dog food reviews out there and still not be able to answer this question because every dogs needs are slightly different. A better question to ask is, What are the healthiest dog foods because that will point you toward the products that are made with high-quality ingredients and formulated to meet your dogs unique nutritional needs.

This article is designed to provide you with an in-depth guide to understanding the different types of kibble and their benefits, so you can make the right choice for your dog. Because well be covering a lot of topics, and because you may simply be looking for recommendations, wed like to start you off with our top 5 picks for the best dog food dogs like.

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Meat Your Dog Can Eat

One of the first ingredients that comes to mind when asking what human food can dogs eat is meat. And your dog may love most kinds of meatjust make sure whatever cut you give your pet doesnt have much fat on it. Food with high-fat content can easily make your dog gain weight. As far as land animals go, chicken is always a safe bet, especially when your dog has an upset stomach. Try bland foods like poached chicken and steamed white rice, says Ann Hohenhaus, DVM, of New York Citys Animal Medical Centre. Veterinarians also recommend feeding cooked protein sources rather than raw protein sources, she adds. Protein like meat and eggs can carry diseases in microbes unless properly cooked.

How Often Should I Feed My Dog

The biological evolution of dogs as hunters has given them specialized digestive and gastrointestinal adaptations that allow them to ingest a large meal followed by up to days of not eating. However, for most pet dogs, feeding once or twice per day is recommended. Many dogs will benefit from eating equally divided meals two to three times per day. See the handout Feeding Times and Frequency for Your Dog for more information on feeding schedules and mealtimes.

Regardless of the feeding schedule you choose, avoid allowing your dog to exercise vigorously after consuming a large meal, especially if your dog eats its food rapidly. This will help minimize problems with bloat, intestinal obstruction, or other serious digestive disorders.

Be sure your dog has access to fresh, clean water at all times.

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Top 10 List Of Bad Dog Foods

We structured the following list of dog food brands to avoid this year in a way that will make it easy for you to make a more informed shopping decision.

You will have a better understanding of why it is critical to seek out the better option for your pup by first emphasizing the bad dog food and then reading about healthy dog food brands to choose from.

Eagle Pack Dry Dog Food

Rating:

Eagle Pack Power Adult is one of 7 dry kibble recipes included in our review of the Eagle Pack product line.

• First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, pork meal, ground brown rice, peas, chicken fat
• Type: Grain-inclusive
• Other recipes: Puppy, small breed, large and giant breed, lamb, pork and more
• Price: $
• See all 7 available recipes

This Eagle Pack recipe derives the bulk of its meat protein from chicken and pork meals. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 33% protein, 21% fat and 38% estimated carbs yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 63%.

A superior kibble at an affordable price. Made by the same trusted company that also produces Wellness. Exceptional value. Highly recommended.

Sample buyer reviewShe seems to be shedding much less on Eagle Pack, and her coat condition is much better than it was. She has always been prone to itches and allergies, and she is no longer scratching herself all the time and gnawing the hair off of her paws. Im happy that this is a food that agrees with her. I wonder why I hadnt heard of Eagle Pack earlier, as I feel that it is a great food at a much more affordable price than other popular high-quality brands.

• See all 12 available recipes

This Wellness Core formula derives the bulk of its animal protein from fresh turkey, as well as turkey and chicken meals. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 38% protein, 18% fat and 36% estimated carbs producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 47%.

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I Have Heard That Dogs Should Only Eat Raw Foods And That Dogs Cannot Properly Digest Cooked Foods Is This True

Domesticated dogs have adapted over millennia to consume diets provided by their human companions, including foods that have been cooked. As mentioned above, dogs can actually digest complex carbohydrates more easily once they have been cooked. Feeding raw diets can carry a number of risks to the dog as well as people in the home, especially those who are young or immunocompromised.

Can Dogs Eat Avocado

Avocados contain persin, which can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and heart muscle damage. The most dangerous part of an avocado is the pit because it is a choking hazard, and it contains a lot of persin. If you think your dog has ingested an avocado pit, call your vet asap. If your;dog ate a small piece of avocado, they should be okay, but make sure you monitor your dog and call your vet for further care.

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Chicken / Beef / Turkey

Poultry is a wonderful way to treat your dog to lean protein, and a bit of beef is good for them, too! The trick here is to make sure that its plain: no sauces, seasonings, marinades, etc. All these flavorings can contain excess amounts of sugar and salt thats not good for your dog, plus they can contain ingredients like onions that can actually be toxic to your dog.

Most pups can tolerate a little bit of pork too, as long as it follows the plain rule, but for some, its still too rich. Other meats like rabbit, lamb, and duck are okay, too. However, pups should never be fed processed meat such as bacon, sausage, pepperoni or any other kinds of deli meats. Carcinogenic ingredients and high fat contents can lead to health problems down the road.

Best Raw Food: Stella & Chewys Freeze

How this food is made is what makes it such a smart buy. There are inherent risks with feeding your dog raw food, such as the risk of bacteria, viruses, and parasites to you or your dog because it is not cooked. However, this company understands those risks and goes the extra mile to ensure their products are safe, Dr. Robinson says. They use HPP to all of their raw foods to effectively get rid of any harmful pathogens. They then send all of their food to be tested for E. coli, salmonella, and listeria and list these results on their website so you can look up your product lot number for peace of mind.

And, of course, these freeze-dried foods are healthyand dogs go completely wild over the flavor. Theyre made with raw, cage-free chicken, as well as fruits and vegetables, and fortified with added vitamins and minerals. Its truly the whole packagein one little patty. Whether its with a new natural dog food or a delectable table scrap, find out why your dog brings his food somewhere else to eat it.

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Feed Your Dog One To Two Times A Day

Dogs evolved to eat bigger meals less frequently. Their stomach can expand to five times its volume, which is almost unique in the animal world, Dr. Ward says. Thats why they have no problem eating only one to two times a day. Dogs, like people, can overeat. If thats the case with your pup, follow these tips to help your dog lose weight.

Nomnomnow Fresh Dog Food

Our Super Premium Option: If youre looking for a super premium dog food to buy for a dog, you may want to consider a fresh food option like NomNomNow. This service delivers freshly prepared meals to your door on a weekly basis. All meals are prepared using whole, restaurant-quality ingredients to ensure the highest quality nutrition for your dog with no freezing or preservatives. When you sign up for the service, you fill out a profile for your dog which enables the company to create a custom recipe based on your dogs calorie needs then the food is sent to you fresh for storage in your own fridge or freezer. Because the food is prepared fresh with gentle cooking methods, most of the nutritional integrity is retained for a wholesome meal.

• Pros: Fresh food delivered weekly, gentle cooking process retains nutritional integrity, recipes catered to your dogs needs, restaurant-quality ingredients
• Cons: Very expensive, limited options for recipes/ingredients

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Make Sure The Diets Working

After your dogs been dining on your kitchen creations for 2 to 3 weeks, take them to the vet to make sure they are not gaining or losing too much weight. If their weight is changing, check it again in a couple of weeks.

Take your pooch for a checkup twice a year. The vet can look at their skin, coat, body condition, and any type of problems that might be happening as the result of the diet, Larsen says.

Merrick Brand Dog Food

The ingredients that make Merrick a great choice include deboned duck, deboned chicken, turkey meal, salmon meal which is a source of omega 3 fatty acids, peas, potatoes, sweet potatoes, potato protein and lamb meal.

Merrick dog food also uses duck fat and chicken fat preserved with mixed tocopherols, blueberries, apples, salmon oil, organic alfalfa, natural flavor and salt.

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