If your dog has temporary stomach troubles, table scraps may help soothe them until you can offer their regular food again. When offering these temporary meals to them it should contain high levels of protein while being low in salt and sugar content.
Fruits that are safe for dogs include apples, berries (with their seeds removed), watermelons and watermelons. Vegetables make nutritious snacks as well; especially carrots!
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Protein
Protein-based diets provide essential amino acids that enable dogs to build and maintain muscle mass. Furthermore, variety in their protein source helps prevent any nutrient imbalances as well as support optimal digestion, immunity function and energy levels in your pet.
When selectinging pet food, always look for meat as the first ingredient (preferably listed before any others). If you feed your dog raw diet, try including various proteins for variety and palatability.
Novel protein sources like rabbit and venison provide accessible protein alternatives for sensitive or allergic dogs, providing essential amino acids like isoleucine, valine, leucine and lysine which support muscle recovery, endurance and performance.
Fish, eggs, dairy and whey are excellent sources of protein to add to a raw diet for their omega 6 fatty acid content that promotes healthy skin and coat. When adding or changing protein sources consult with your veterinarian prior to doing so.
Fruit
Most dogs love fruit as treats and they can be an enjoyable, nutritious source of snacking; however, be careful which varieties you give to your pup as certain ones, like chocolate, avocados and grapes can be toxic to them and cause diarrhea, abnormal heart rates or even death!
Watermelons can make for an ideal treat for many dogs as they contain low calories, plenty of water, essential vitamins and minerals such as potassium as well as antioxidant properties that may strengthen immune systems while slowing aging processes.
Bananas may contain high levels of sugar and carbohydrates, but they make an ideal treat for many dogs because their potassium content helps support cardiovascular health. As always, remove seeds and rind to prevent potential choking hazards for dogs. Avoid citrus fruits which are acidic in nature as these may cause digestive upset in many canines; additionally they may even trigger allergies in some.
Yogurt
Yogurt can provide probiotics and calcium that promote gut health in dogs while strengthening bones, making a tasty treat that provides both probiotics and calcium in equal measures. When selecting a yogurt for your pup it’s important not to choose one containing sugar or artificial sweeteners as these may be harmful. Look for yogurts labelled “live cultures”, as these tend to be healthier options for them. Also avoid any flavor variants as some contain artificial sweetener like xylitol which is toxic to canines!
Choose plain, non-fat yogurt to maximize its benefits for your pet. If they are lactose intolerant, Greek-style yogurt contains lower levels of lactose; gradually introduce small amounts to see how they react; it makes an ideal meal-topper and can even be mixed with fruits to create healthy smoothies – or frozen in an ice cube tray for quick summer treats! However, please remember that yogurt will not help treat yeast infections such as hot spots or itchy skin and should not replace canine-specific probiotic supplements or probiotic supplements specifically tailored for dogs.
Vegetables
Vegetables provide dogs with both water and fibre. Plus, they contain vitamins, antioxidants, enzymes, minerals, enzymes, amino acids and phyto-nutrients not found in meat products. Just as with any treats, however, veggies should only make up 10% or so of a dog’s calorie intake ideally.
Raw potatoes should be avoided due to solanine content which can be toxic for dogs, leading to stomach upset, vomiting and bloating. Furthermore, any vegetable from the onion/allium family such as onions are known to cause flatulence in canines.
Spinach can provide your dog with iron, vitamins A, C and K as well as fibre and roughage. However, when feeding spinach it’s important to remove all stems, leaves, seeds, cores or pits as these could pose a choking hazard to them. Also be wary when feeding carrots since their high fiber content could increase flatulence levels causing excess thirstiness from your pup!
