Who doesn’t want their furry companion to live an active and long life? A nutritious diet is vital for your dog to have a strong body. What does this nutritious diet consist of? It depends on the health of your dog and whether it’s safe for them to eat.
For example, caretakers at every dog daycare in San Diego strictly follow veterinarian guidelines or ask for medical documents of dogs suffering from underlying conditions.
There are a variety of food sources, which can make it confusing for pet owners to identify those that are best for dogs. Many of the food sources that humans eat can be shared with dogs in moderation.
However, there are some food sources that pet owners must avoid at all costs. Below is an in-depth guide about foods that are safe to feed your dog.
Vitamins and Minerals
It’s important that you include vitamins and minerals in your dog’s diet. This is because these nutrients offer a lot of benefits to your dog’s body such as improving the immune system and maintaining a healthy weight, and body. Here is a list of foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals and are safe for your dog to eat:
Apples
Apple is an important source of vitamins such as A and C. Vitamin A nourishes a dog’s skin coat and strengthens the immune system. Vitamin C is needed for maintaining healthy body growth and helps to reduce inflammation in dogs.
It also consists of fiber, which supports normal bowel movement and shields against constipation in dogs.
Bananas
Bananas consist of high sugar content, so should be given in moderation. However, they can be used as a low-calorie treat.
This fruit is a good source of minerals such as potassium, biotin, fiber, and copper. Potassium and biotin are essential minerals needed for the normal functioning of the nervous system and the heart.
Carrots
Carrots are beneficial for your dog’s dental health and can help in the removal of plaque during chewing. These low-calorie treats are also a great source of vitamin A and help improve your dog’s eyesight and immune system.
Brussel Sprouts
Brussel sprouts have a variety of vitamins and minerals. These include vitamin K, needed for blood clot formations, and proper functioning of the circulatory system. It even consists of vitamins C, B1, and B6.
The cruciferous vegetable is a good source of antioxidants, which help in reducing inflammation in the body.
Make sure to feed your dog this veggie in small amounts once or twice a week as it can cause a lot of gas.
Cucumber
Cucumber has a negligible amount of carbs, fat, and oils, making it a wholesome low-calorie fruit, particularly for obese dogs. They’re loaded with vitamins such as K, C, and B1, and minerals like potassium and copper.
Broccoli
This is a vegetable that is rich in vitamin K, which is a nutrient that helps your dog grow strong bones. It also contains nutrients like potassium and vitamin C.
Broccoli may be considered very healthy for dogs, however, you must feed it to your dog in small quantities.
This is because broccoli contains a chemical called isothiocyanate which causes irritation in the dog’s digestive system.
Proteins
Proteins are a vital nutrient for the healthy growth of your dog’s body muscles. There are many protein sources that your dog can eat such as:
Chicken
Plain, boiled chicken is beneficial, especially for dogs who are facing an upset stomach. It’s also a good source of amino acids for your dogs and chicken also helps your dogs to build strong muscle mass.
Turkey
You can feed your dog turkey. Before feeding, remember to remove excess fat and skin which isn’t beneficial for your dog. The meat shouldn’t have excess salt, seasoning, or sprinkled with onions and garlic.
Remove all kinds of bones that can cause digestion problems or damage the intestines, and ensure it’s cooked.
Fish
Fish is packed with essential nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, and amino acids required for the healthy development of a dog’s immune system. Fish species recommended for feeding include salmon and sardines. Sardines consist of soft, easy-to-digest bones that are a great source of calcium.
However, if you’re feeding other fish species, remove all the bones as they can damage your dog’s intestines or food pipe. Feed your dog fully cooked fish and keep fish intake limited to twice a week.
Eggs
A fully cooked egg is a good protein-rich meal, even for dogs with upset stomachs. Don’t feed your doggy a raw egg, as it can lead to biotin deficiency.
Eggs provide a number of nutrients to your dog such as vitamins, amino and fatty acids, etc. All of which can help your dog in maintaining good health, such as strong teeth and bones, and healthy skin and fur.
Beef
Another good source of protein for your dog is beef. Beef helps your dog to maintain a healthy weight and body. While feeding your dog raw beef has many benefits, it’s best to feed your dog cooked beef.
Sometimes raw beef can cause your dog to get food poisoning because of it not being stored properly or washed properly before feeding it to your dog.
Dairy Products
Although dairy products are a big no, there are still some of them that are safe for dogs to eat in small quantities. They are:
Cheese
This dairy product is loved by most dogs, and it contains nutrients like calcium, vitamin A and protein. It’s mostly used as a treat by trainers to give to dogs every once in a while during training sessions.
Yogurt
If you want your dog to have a healthy digestive system and grow strong bones, then yogurt is the best option of a dairy product for your dog to eat.
Conclusion for Dog Health
With the help of this guide that prioritizes dogs’ health, you’ll have more knowledge about what types of foods are safe to include in your dog’s diet.
