Everything you need to know about feeding your dog

Nutritional quality food is vital for your dog’s well being and longevity - Just like humans

It is vital, that you feed your dog a nutritionally balanced, quality diet. A combination of the right proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals and water. This will extend your dog's life, protect them from cancer and other 20th-century diseases, keep their skin, coat and fur healthy, and support healthy organ function.

Unlike cats who are carnivores, dogs are omnivores. As well as meat proteins, they also require grains, fruit and vegetables. Every dog needs an age-appropriate diet, providing the nutritional needs at every life stage. Newborns and puppies require different nutrients to a senior, or overweight dog.

Please also research specific nutritional requirements If you have a small or larger dog, or a specific breed they will all have different priorities.

What diets, humans are choosing to feed their dogs.

Raw Diets

The more we learn about dogs, the more owners are feeding their dog a raw diet.

This means it contains raw and balanced whole foods, such as organ meats, muscle meats, eggs, yoghurt, and fruit & vegies that are safe and beneficial for dogs. It can come in the form of fresh ingredients, frozen cubes, bones and more. Treats also must be air or freeze dried, fresh meat or fish. Fresh vegies & fruit are great treats.

There are many benefits to having a raw only diet, but there are also risks.

Raw food promotes:

Some of the risks are:

possible contraction of salmonella, or other harmful bacteria found on raw meats.
an unbalanced diet is fed, the dog misses out on vital nutrients possibly causing long term illness.
Incidents with bones are always a risk when feeding them.

Homemade fresh food

In an ideal world, humans would be able to provide a balanced fresh food diet, either raw or cooked, but this does take a lot of effort and time. That is why Kibble was designed by vets.

When making your dog’s food, you also need to follow recipes designed by scientists or animal dieticians, (these are available online) Researching, and keeping up to date with the latest ideas and ingredients, means you will always provide the necessary nutrients for your dog at all life stages.

I personally make my dog Kieras’ food, and we both love it! She is now 13.5 and super happy and healthy.

Twice a week I make a crock pot with: either Turkey, Kangaroo or Venison, Broccoli, Spinach or Green Beans, quality Brown Rice, Carrots or Pumpkin, I add a human organic Mushroom Elixir, Turmeric, Boswellia, Green lipped mussles and Hemp oil.

To cut costs, while adding some freshness, you can add a small amount of this mixture to their kibble. Make sure to deduct some of the kibble so you aren’t overfeeding.

Kibble (dry biscuits)

Kibble is a dried, processed small biscuit, which should be balanced and provide all the nutrition our dogs need.

Kibble made by Veterinary food brands such as Hills Science & Royal Canin are scientifically tested well-balanced diets. The design and intention of these veterinary kibble, is so owners can have a convenient, mess free diet, knowing their dog is receiving the nutrients they need.

Other commercial brands will have a varied range in quality when it comes to ingredients, and may or may not be suited as a long term diet.

After studying vet nursing, I have learnt that most brands sold in the supermarket, are likely to contain undesirable ingredients, including added salt and sugar. Most are also likely to contain high amounts of carbohydrates, which can cause obesity and joint pain, and diabetes.

It's really important to learn how to read the ingredients listed on human, and pet food.

Unfortunately, the marketing of products often make them sound healthier than they are. Understanding exactly what your pet’s food contains and doesn’t contain, is vital for protecting them from eating harmful substances such as some preservatives, chemicals, or ingredients like xylitol which is very toxic for pets.

Learn more about the requirements for pet food, animal feed, and nutritional supplements here.

Grain Free or Grain?

Wet or Canned Food, & Dog Rolls

Wet food provides the same required nutrients as dry food. It can be more expensive and will have more fresh meat ingredients.

Dog rolls are also an easy and tasty option that dogs love. Unfortunately, they do contain added salt and sugar, and the quality of the ingredients may or may not be great for your dog’s health in the long run.

The taste for your dog when fed dog roll, is like humans eating McDonalds. Tasty, salty, sugary, but not healthy. They can also get addicted to junk food, just like humans.

Human foods that are dangerous to dogs

Over the years, many human foods have been describe as toxic for our dogs.

I follow a very credible veterinarian called Dr Karen Becker. She has been busting myths around certain foods, that are actually OK to feed our dogs - after believing otherwise.

But there are some definite no nos!

The Top No Nos Are:

Grapes
Chocolate
Macadamia Nuts
Raisins
Onions
Cooked bones of any kind

Bones – Cooked and Raw

When we were young, we would see our elders feeding dinner scraps, bones, bread, fat… to the family dog. Feeding dogs bones, was always written in children’s storybooks, poems and in movies. It’s been common knowledge, that you ‘give a dog a bone’.
Unfortunately a COOKED bone is the worst thing you can give to your dog. Especially pork & poultry bones!

All bones can splinter when digested at any stage the process. Bones can cut your dogs mouth and throat, they can tear the bowel or other organs, they can also block the intestines causing diarrhea, or bleeding bowels.

Large dogs really benefit from bones. The rule is to feed them a bone larger than their own muzzle, so there is no risk of being able to swallow it. Beef shank bones are a great option here, served raw. Always supervise your dog while they are eating their bone, and remove it after 20 mins. Keep the bone in the freezer to prevent flies and any smell.

How do I tell if my dogs food is right for them?

Read your dog's poo!

The quality of your dog’s number two will show if he has a healthy diet. Seeing diarrhea is a common sign your dog has eaten something their body does not agree with.

Another common sign is that your dog may be struggling to pass his poop, possibly straining? this can mean they are dehydrated. It may be un-pleasant. But taking notice of your dog's poop is very important in understanding the health of their digestive system.

Dogs cannot speak so it’s one of our responsibilities as owners to speak for them, and get their poo tested if it seems abnormal for more than 24hrs. Abnormal poo can mean several medical outcomes. Your vet will provide the best information and medication required, as your dog will most likely be suffering pain and discomfort.

Please use this “poop colour wheel” if your dogs’ poo has recently changed or is abnormal. The chart is courtesy of the American Kennel Club.

If your dogs’ poop is not usually “normal” please chat to your vet and they will suggest a more appropriate diet.