Should I Feed My Dog...
Left overs & Kitchen scraps?
Avoid giving your dog left over food and avoid giving him processed food that is made for humans. Dogs can become very ill when given something that they struggle to digest. It is also very difficult to know if some foods contain substances that are toxic to dogs, for example sweets that contain xylitol is an artificial sweetener that is highly poisonous to dogs. Resist giving them a treat from your plate as most dog illnesses are induced by incorrect feeding. Giving your dog scraps will also encourage him to scrounge, which will really get on your nerves when you’re cooking the barbecue or sunday roast.
Dog bones?
Chewing on big raw animal bones with cartilage and soft tissue still attached is great for teeth and gums, but it is vital that you consider your dog’s health when rewarding him. Try to choose a bone that is bigger than your dog’s jaw and doesn’t break. It might take him a few hours to finish eating it but he will enjoy every minute.
Bones That are Safe but Only Meant For Chewing
Uncooked large marrow bones will not break in your dog’s mouth - they are meant only for chewing. They don’t actually offer any nutritional benefits, but they do provide your dog with mental stimulation and incredible oral care. Big beef bones will keep your dog busy for hours. Hip bones or rib cages are also good.
Bones That are Safe For Dogs to Eat & Swallow
If you want something extra nutritional for you dog to eat, look for raw, hollow lightweight poultry bones - usually chicken or turkey. These kind of snacks are cheaper and incredibly tasty. They are also full of glucosamine and chondroitin which aids in keeping the joints healthy.
Dangerous Dog Bones
Never give your dog bones that are small enough to choke on, or cooked bones that can easily splinter. Cooked bones can cause lots of damage to your dog’s mouth - broken teeth, bleeding gums and a cut tongue. The broken bits can also get stuck in your dog’s throat, stomach and intestines causing horrible injuries.
Eggs | raw or cooked?
Yes! Eggs are highly nutritious for dogs. If you give your dog an egg every so often you will soon notice an obvious improvement in the shine of his coat, but make sure you put it in his bowl otherwise you’ll end up with a big sticky mess on your kitchen floor!
Some people say that you shouldn’t feed your dog raw eggs because of the risk of salmonella, but salmonella is very rare in dogs and unless the eggs are cracked when you buy them or collect them, they should be fine. If you are considering giving your dog an egg, give him the shell as well. He’ll love crunching it up to find the nutritious gooey reward inside. Alternatively, you can always crack an egg on top of your dog’s food.
Fish?
Yes! Fish is a really good source of protein and omega 3. Omega 3 is believed to improve brain development so you never know, your dog may show a higher level of intelligence with a bit of fish in his diet. It is however, really important that you remove the bones. Fish bones have the risk of harming your dog’s mouth or digestive system.
Raw or Cooked Fish?
Some people recommend feeding dogs whole raw fish as part of their raw diet. Others prefer to cook fish to kill any harmful parasites. Some fish, particularly salmon can contain parasites that are extremely harmful to dogs. Either way, we recommend removing the bones. to ensure your dog doesn’t get injured.
Grain | Cereal | Rice ?
You will often see that commercial dog foods contain a variety of grains, cereals and rice. A dog that is fed solely on a grain based dog food diet (i.e almost all average priced dry dog food) may show signs of being unhealthy. A dog needs more than this so feed them eggs and various meats to ensure they thrive and grow strong.