Proper nutrition means providing your dog with the key components and energy they need to grow, grow to their full potential, and remain active throughout life. Unfortunately, for convenience and economic purposes, most people prefer dry and canned dog food.
For owners willing to experiment with their healthy diet plan, there are many alternative options to dry and canned dog food that can offer healthier diets for your furry friend. Thus, here are eight foods you can feed your dog to maintain good health.
Carrots
Carrots are a vegetable ideal for rewarding your dog’s positive behavior without the calorie content that snacks and some other treats contain. To alleviate discomfort, some veterinarians strongly advise cold or frozen carrots for teething puppies.
Carrots can also provide pups with low-calorie satisfaction for yummy and crunchy cravings between feeding times if they have diabetes, have a tummy pooch, or are working on their figures. Carrots are also high in Vitamin A, which provides your dog with various important nutrients.
Pumpkin
Pumpkin is a tasty addition to any diet but provides several health advantages for your dog. Pumpkin contains several nutrients that benefit your dog’s coat and skin, such as vitamin A and zinc.
Aside from adding to your pet’s coat shine and look great, the extra moisture allows the skin to flake less, resulting in less hair shed on your furniture, rugs, and clothes. It is strongly advised that you add pumpkin to their diet to create a premium dog food option for your dog.
Sweet Potatoes or Yams
Sweet potatoes or yams are a safe, nutritious, and organic dog treat that provide many health benefits. It is generally necessary to know do dogs need vitamins and nutrients from a balanced and complete diet. For instance, sweet potatoes help maintain a healthy digestive system because of their significant dietary fiber content.
In addition, sweet potatoes are among the rich nutritional sources of vitamin A, which encourage healthy coat, skin, nerves, eyes, and muscles in dogs, according to PETMD. Also, sweet potatoes are high in vitamins B6, C, A, calcium, potassium, and iron, to mention a few.
Salmon
Salmon is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce inflammation, help the immune system, and keep your dog’s coat looking healthy and shiny. Furthermore, salmon might be a good alternative if your dog is especially sensitive to more popular protein sources, such as chicken.
However, please do not feed your dogs undercooked or uncooked salmon because it may contain the parasite Neorickettsia helminthoeca, which induces salmon poisoning disease that can be life-threatening to them. Furthermore, raw salmon contains a significant number of tiny bones that are thin and fragile and can be stuck in his intestines and stomach or choke your dog.
Corn
It is safe to nourish your dog with small quantities of corn off the cob but keep in mind to do it in moderation. Corn is considered one of the most popular cereal grains in the entire globe, depending on the variety of corn. It may comprise a considerable quantity of several minerals and vitamins.
Furthermore, many veterinary dietitians acknowledge that corn is not an issue for dogs and can even be a component of a properly balanced eating plan. However, before handing it to your dog, make sure he is not sensitive to corn.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a good source of fiber and is rich in minerals, nutrients, and antioxidants. Furthermore, it is an excellent alternative carbohydrate for pups who are highly susceptible to wheat or grains.
Although oats are packed with nutrients, consider that not every type is appropriate for your pet. For example, avoid raw oats and flavored oat variations that are full of sugar, which may contain ingredients that are dangerous to dogs, like those of the sugar alcohol xylitol, raisins, or chocolate.
Berries
Berries have a high antioxidant and phytochemical content while having low calories and sugar. Blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, huckleberries, and raspberries are all antioxidant-rich foods that are beneficial to your pet.
If you offer your dog fruit in addition to other dog snacks, ensure that the amount of treats provided does not exceed 10 percent of your dog’s healthy diet plan. Finally, fruits such as berries should be thoroughly rinsed, whether frozen or fresh, before feeding your dog.
Green Peas
Green peas provide vital nutrients, minerals, and dietary fiber to your beloved pets. In addition, it greatly enhances energy levels in pups and is pleasant on the digestive system since it is rich in protein legumes.
Furthermore, because it has a sweet flavor, frozen or fresh green peas make a terrific treat or meal topper, and most dogs thoroughly enjoy them. As with all human foods, trying to feed them to your dog in reasonable quantities is critical because too much might indeed induce diarrhea or gas problems.
Final Thoughts
It’s important to remember that every dog is unique, and what eating plan works for your friend’s puppy may be unsuitable for your dog. Also, remember that the food your dog requires is primarily determined by its size, age, breed, and how frequently it exercises. Even so, the perfect dog food for your pet dog must satisfy his nutritional requirements.
Amanda Byers is a graduate of Columbia, where she played volleyball and annoyed a lot of professors. Now as Zobuz’s entertainment and Lifestyle Editor, she enjoys writing about delicious BBQ, outrageous style trends and all things Buzz worthy.