Dogs require a range of foods in order to receive all of the vitamins and nutrients that they require, while some may also benefit from supplements or treats as additional provisions.
Cooked fish is an excellent treat for dogs that is packed with protein and omega-3 fatty acids, making it an essential addition to their diet. Just be sure to remove all bones beforehand, as these could pose a choking hazard for their safety.
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Meat
Refrigerator staples provide quick and healthy meals for your dog. Plain cooked chicken or fish and boiled rice are excellent choices – just be sure to remove the bones as these could pose a choking hazard for dogs.
Scrambled eggs and pasta make excellent pantry meals. Cooked vegetables (and fruit) can also be beneficial, although it’s essential that they be ground into fine particles as dogs’ digestive systems cannot break down cellulose; otherwise they won’t provide the nutrition their intended to.
Fish
Dogs require regular, scheduled feeding times in order to maintain optimal body condition. By sticking to a plan, switching foods will be much simpler.
Salmon provides your dog with protein, good fats and amino acids for optimum health benefits. Just ensure it has been fully cooked before picking out any bones from it!
Apples are generally safe for dogs to eat, though should be chopped beforehand to reduce choking hazards and provide them with fiber and vitamin C.
Vegetables
Green beans are an ideal low-calorie vegetable packed with fiber and vitamins C, A and K that your dog can safely enjoy raw or steamed. Edamame is another nutritious treat; just remember to remove its shell prior to giving them to your pup as these could pose potential choking hazards!
Vegetables such as kale, spinach and carrots provide essential nutrition for the health of your pet; however, some vegetables may be difficult for him/her to digest and can even cause gastrointestinal distress. Consult your veterinarian about adding more vegetables into his or her diet.
Fruit
A dog that is hungry often means its stomach wants food but their brain hasn’t received signals to tell it when to stop eating. A regular feeding schedule can help ensure their body knows when they have had enough.
Blueberries make an excellent low-cal sweet treat for your pup, packed with antioxidants and phytochemicals to combat disease-fighting antioxidants and phytochemicals. Just be sure not to freeze them – frozen foods can clog their system! Pureed vegetables may be easier for dogs to digest; you could try making it yourself or purchasing frozen blends like Green JuJu or Green Booster that come already mixed up for you.
Milk
Bread should only be fed in moderation to your pet; it shouldn’t become their main source of carbohydrates and cause stomach issues such as gas and pancreatitis.
If your dog tends to graze all day long, consider giving him smaller meals at regular times throughout the day to create a routine and prevent him from overeating and gaining weight. It will also make switching to new food easier; such as switching over to hypoallergenic food.
Peanut Butter
Peanut butter can be a nutritious addition to a dog’s diet if eaten in small amounts and consumed sparingly. Peanut butter provides ample amounts of protein while helping your pup feel full.
Make sure that when purchasing peanut butter, only natural, unsalted varieties without added sugar or salt should be purchased. Some commercial products contain potentially artery-clogging trans fats and hydrogenated oils which could compromise its integrity.
Cooked shrimp is safe for dogs to eat in moderation if the shell has been removed and thoroughly cooked before feeding it to them. Shrimp is high in antioxidants, vitamin B-12, and phosphorus which provide their bodies with essential benefits.
Cheese
Dogs can consume small amounts of dairy foods in moderation; yogurt may even help improve digestive health! It is best to steer clear of products that have added flavors or salt content.
Finn advises purchasing frozen, ready-to-eat foods from companies like JustFoodForDogs that provide vet-prescribed diets in shelf stable form and which are also very palatable for your pup. AAFCO labels should be clearly visible on food packages to verify whether it meets nutritional guidelines.
Cashews
All pet owners know the feeling when their cupboard is suddenly devoid of dog food and dinner time rolls around and nothing remains for your pup’s dinner! Luckily, there are various food sources that can provide emergency meals until his/her usual diet returns.
Unsalted air-popped popcorn can make an excellent treat for dogs. Packed full of eye-nourishing vitamins riboflavin and thiamine as well as iron and protein, popcorn provides iron supplementation as well as protein intake. Just be sure it has fully popped kernels as any unpopped kernels could present potential choking hazards for your canine companion!
