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What Kind of Human Foods Can Your Dog Eat?

Most people do not consider dogs as pets but as a member of their family. That is why you not only share your home but also end up sharing food with your furry friends. But have you ever wondered what all that you eat is good for them, what is not, and what is downright bad?

 

There are lots of types of food that we can share with our canine friends such as poultry, meat, fish, fruits, and vegetables. However, humans and dogs do not share the same type of metabolism to digest food, which is why there are many things you should avoid while preparing your dog’s meal. Some things that we eat are toxic for dogs and should be avoided completely.

 

Because many types of human foods are suitable for dogs, they are the primary ingredients of dog foods available at pet stores. Some of the best options available, such as Wellness Core grain-free dry dog food use a combination of proteins and vegetables to meet the nutritional requirements of our canine friends. If you pay close attention to the list of ingredients (which is very important if your dog has allergies), you will see that they contain a lot of natural ingredients that are included in our diets as well. While we don’t have anything against commercial food, it’s important to choose reputed brands such as Royal Canine and Wellness Core and get it from a reputed source such as PetCareRx.com.

 

Here are some of those ingredients that you can feed your dog independently too.

Proteins

Since dogs are genetically carnivorous, proteins are the major constituents of their diet. Proteins not only help in building the dog’s body, but they also provide them energy. Animal protein can be a complete food for dogs as they provide almost all the nutrition a dog needs. When you are feeding your dog animal protein, make sure you choose cuts with good meat to fat ratio, since dogs need fat as well in their body. Animal fats contain Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids that are essential for a dog’s body and metabolism. But avoid giving them any animal by-products.

If you want to feed your dog raw meat, ensure that it is from a good source and free of contamination.

Poultry

Chicken is one of the most common ingredients in dog foods and is an excellent source of protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals. Chicken is also easily digestible by dogs.

Even though Turkey contains all the same nutrition as chicken, due to some reason, it is not as popular for dog food. Turkey is excellent if your dog has a less active life and needs to cut down on the fat intake. Turkey meat is lean and nutritious for your dog.

Meat

Beef and lamb are also excellent forms of complete food for your dog. They are rich sources of proteins and fats. They also contain essential vitamins such as vitamin B6 and vitamin B12. Beef and lamb contain zinc and iron too, which are necessary for a dog’s nutrition.

Fish

Fish not only contain adequate amounts of protein, but they can also provide your dog with essential fatty acids like Omega 3 and Omega 6 without making your dog fat.

Vegetables and Fruits

Even though vegetables and fruits cannot provide your dog with all the nutrition it needs, they can be supplements to animal protein, and your dog can enjoy snacking on them every once in a while. Commercial dog foods also contain many types of vegetables and fruits to add to their nutritional value.

Carrots are not only good for human eyes, but they are great for your dog’s eyes as well. Root vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes are natural antioxidants for your dog. Green vegetables such as broccoli, green beans, and kale contain a lot of antioxidants and many types of vitamins and minerals. They are also a rich source of dietary fibers for your furry friends. However, they should be fed in moderation as too much veggies can cause digestive problems for dogs.

Fruits are great snacks and treats for dogs, and most of them love to chomp on apples, melons, and berries. Fruits are high in antioxidants, vitamins, natural fibers, and manganese. Make sure you chop up fruits into bite-sized pieces and remove the seeds. Apple seeds contain cyanide and can be harmful to your dog. Berries are good for dogs too, but if they are a little sour, you can mix them with other foods.

There are some human foods that you should never feed your dog as they can cause serious health problems and even death in extreme cases. These are:

• Chocolate
• Grapes and raisins
• Onion and garlic
• Macadamia nuts
• Caffeine (that includes sodas)
• Alcohol
• Artificial sweeteners (candies too)

 

If you prefer to choose commercial dog foods because they are convenient to feed, make sure you check the list of ingredients. Buying good quality dog food from reputed and recommended brands are always advisable. Happy feeding!