Millions of us enjoy having a four-legged friend around the home and greeting you after work – even when they chew up your favourite shoe!
But instead of chomping on shoes (which are inedible), give your canine friend something scrumptious to chow down on. Distract them from how tasty a shoe might seem with something that will be tasty to them.
In this article, we’ll go over the different types of dog food that you – as a dog lover – should know about.
As a caveat, always consult a vet or a dog nutritionist before making any dietary changes for your dog. This is especially important if your dog is on medication or has an underlying health condition.
Why Learn About Different Types of Dog Food?
Variety is the spice of life, or so the old adverb goes. The same is true for our pets! Having the same old food every day will get boring, so mixing it up for them is important. Also, as omnivores, dogs tend to be able to eat a lot of different kinds of foods – not just meats.
Knowing about the various types of food your dog can eat is beneficial for your dog’s overall health and well-being and your finances. Trying your dog with different foods will allow you to tailor a diet to their liking that doesn’t punch too much of a hole in your pocket. If you know what they like, you won’t have to waste money on the foods they won’t like.
There is a trial and error process to go through to find this out, but it is well worth it in the long run for everyone involved.
Raw Dog Food
Raw dog food is, for most dog lovers, the type of food that they’ll have the most questions about. While eating raw meat is possible for humans, it isn’t advisable. Some meats, such as chicken, should never be eaten raw, which confuses what your dog can and cannot eat.
Generally, raw food should be bought from a dog food company specialising in raw food for canines. Other great places to source raw meat are butcheries.
Raw food can consist of:
- Raw meats (such as lamb, fish, and beef)
- Fats and fibres
- Bones
- Offal mixtures (such as liver)
And so much more. Always consult a vet beforehand if you consider implementing raw dog food into your pouch’s diet.
Vegetables
Contrary to popular belief, dogs won’t just tolerate vegetables – they often love them! However, you’ll need to perform detailed research from reputable sources about the kinds of vegetables a dog can and cannot eat. For instance, onions are unsafe for a dog to eat and toxic to them.
Here are some suggestions for vegetables your canine is sure to love:
- Carrots – a kind of superfood for dogs, are naturally sweet and crunchy, meaning dogs will love them. Carrots also provide a plentiful source of vital nutrients and vitamins for your dogs, such as Carotenoids, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and fibre. They also contain smaller quantities of Manganese, Phosphorus, Magnesium, and a host of B vitamins.
- Pumpkin – may seem like an odd one, but these, too, are great for dogs. Do remember that it needs to be raw, not pumpkin filling or pumpkin with any sugar additives. Not only is pumpkin delicious to dogs, but they have a host of nutrients that are ideal for dogs (similar to carrots), such as Potassium, B Vitamins, Vitamin C and small quantities of Calcium.
There are plenty of vegetables that dogs can and will eat out there.
Fruits & Berries
Much like vegetables, dog lovers often assume that canines don’t or won’t eat fruits when that isn’t the case. Some fruits and berries are very beneficial to a dog’s overall health in a similar way that there are certain vegetables you should feed your dog. For instance:
- Blueberries – are powerful antioxidants for humans as well as dogs. They contain anthocyanidins, phytochemicals, manganese, fibre, and vitamins C & E. These are vital to a healthy doggo diet.
- Watermelon – if you haven’t seen any memes of dogs eating watermelons, you should look it up! They are a great snack for dogs to get their teeth stuck into and provide ample hydration and potassium, vitamin B-6, vitamin A and vitamin C. All of these can and will contribute to a healthy four-legged friend.
Be sure to research what is safe and not safe for your dog before feeding them!
To Conclude
Many types of dog food out there can give your furry friend a varied and scrumptious diet. Be sure to fact-check everything you read with a reputable source and a qualified vet or dog nutritionist.
What food will you try with your dog next?
