Exploring a Dog’s diet
Dogs are amazing companions who show unconditional love and are often a human’s best friend. We judge their demeanor by the way they greet us with a waging tail, leaps of excitement and kisses. While they can’t talk to us in words we understand, their appearance, body language and behavior convey how they feel, what they need, and their overall health.
Parenting is unpredictable, and you may have occasional doubts on whether you’re being a great doggie parent and whether they are eating and exercising properly. Well, let’s explore the power couple: Diet and Exercise.
Foremost, overeating and lack of exercise can lead to obesity, and there’s an old saying, “We’ve fed our dog to death.” No one wants to do that, so one of the most basic rules to ensure your pet follows a good diet is: Don’t overfeed. Dogs beg and often want more, but they don’t really need it. We must remember: Eat to live; don’t live to eat.
As humans, diet and exercise are key if you want to live a long and healthy life. What you put in your body will show in your overall appearance. It’s no different for dogs. Dogs are natural carnivores, but they should have well-balanced diets that include proteins such as green leafy vegetables, carrots, and good lean proteins that help provide nutritional value.
In order to acclimate your pet to having veggies in their diet, I recommend starting them young. While the FDA approves all dog foods on the market, if you choose to incorporate other fillers, here are suggestions: canned green beans without sodium, canned pumpkin (high in fiber), baby carrots, cut whole carrots, broccoli, and bland chicken breast.
I don’t recommend feeding your dog anything you would eat as a meal (directly from your plate). We have different seasoning and spices, and they can’t digest all of our “human foods.” Don’t let them persuade you with their cute puppy eyes or soft whimper. There are illnesses they could develop like pancreatitis and diabetes. Dogs like treats, and there’s nothing wrong with reward. They would appreciate anything that is different from the normal kibble, but make sure it’s healthy. As an option, try a lean chicken breast, a teaspoon of peanut butter, or dental chews. There are even bakeries that serve treats tailormade for dogs.
There are several foods that could produce fatal results or have the potential to cause internal organ issues or anemia.
Here’s a sample list of foods dogs should absolutely avoid:
- Chocolate
- Grapes
- Raisins
- Chewing Gum
- Onions
- Garlic
- Alcohol
*Stay away from bacon flavored treats and those with butter or cheese filling that serve no health benefit.
Now, what complements a good diet? EXERCISE! When we sit and watch tv, eat snacks and junk food, and then go to bed— there’s no exercise, nor calories being burned. They call this individual a Couch Potato. Yes, dogs can be Couch Potatoes, too, but they need to exert their bottled-up energy and burn calories. Of course, humans can workout at the gym and use fancy equipment. Believe it or not, dogs aren’t totally exempt from using equipment. Minus pull-ups and using dumb bells, dogs can do many of the same exercises as humans, including the use of treadmills. They can also play tug-o-war and engage in many other activities, including swimming. Regular walks, games of fetch and keep away are simple games and methods to ensure your dog is remaining active.
Some owners ask how they can know for sure whether their dog is getting proper nutrients. Well, their body score will tell. Analyzing whether they are over or underweight, whether their coat is dull and dry—with no sign of oil, shine or sheen, the condition of their teeth and gums are all determining factors. Regarding exercise, I don’t think there’s a such thing as too much. The more, the better. Of course, if you have a great relationship with your vet they will provide thorough and individualized examinations with preventive care to promote longevity for your dog—which, in turn will lessen the stress you—as an owner— may carry.
