As a dog owner, you have the mandate to properly look after your furry friend. Understandably, you may not have all the answers you need to look after your pet. This is why it is important to go through pet-friendly forums like https://www.authenticdogs.com/ where you can learn a lot about keeping your pet happy.
The article below, however, will be tackling the issue of nutrition. You know the importance of giving your 4-legged best friend a balanced diet. That’s the reason you shop for the best brands of dog food. What happens when the dog food is over and your pet needs to eat? Here are examples of foods that you can give your pet in such a situation.
Meats
Unless otherwise, dogs can pretty much eat any type of meat from white meat, red meat and fish. It is best to go with the boneless option, especially if you are not too sure that your mutt can handle bones. Some experts also recommend that you cook the meats instead of serving raw to avoid salmonella. If you are serving the canned option, rinse the meats well to get rid of excess sodium.
Complex Carbs
These should make a huge percentage of your dog food because they give pets energy. Ideally, the carbs should primarily come from plants and grains. Some of the great options to work with include brown rice, whole oats, whole wheat, corn, and potato.
When making these meals, avoid adding spices, salt, and unnecessary flavors because these might end up upsetting the dog’s stomach. Go for plain preferably boiled carbs. To make these more palatable, you can mix with the meats so that your pet can end up enjoying their meal.
Vegetables and Fruits
Fruits and vegetables are a crucial part of your hound’s diet. Just be sure to wash these thoroughly before serving to prevent bacterial contamination. Apples, pears, bananas, peas, broccoli, spinach, and carrots are some of the examples of fruits and veggies to give your dog.
For the vegetables, it is advisable to steam or lightly boil them so that they retain as many nutrients as possible before consumption. Slice fruits such as pears and apples to make things easier for your dog. Don’t forget to peel the bananas if they are on the menu. Once in a while during the hot weather, you can give your furry pal frozen strawberries and blueberries.
Deserts
You can also give your dog some healthy treats such as a slice of cheese, oatmeal/pumpkin cookies, banana pudding, and a fruit Popsicle. You can find healthy recipes online to ensure you are giving your pet the very best.
Foods to Avoid
While preparing alternative meals for your dog, there are things you should avoid because they are not safe for the pet. These include:
- Cocoa & Chocolate – Many breeds end up having diarrhea or vomiting after eating this
- Garlic and Onion – The flavor enhances are not ideal for dogs particularly in large quantities. They have been known to cause red blood cell damage and gastrointestinal irritation that can cause anemia.
- Milk – Excessive dairy products can disrupt your pet’s digestive system.
- Coffee – Some dogs will react pretty badly after drinking coffee by becoming restless, bleeding or experiencing heart palpitations.
- Gum – The digestive system of your dog cannot break down the gum. Sticky substances in the system can lead to fatal results because they will end up blocking it.
Conclusion
Running out of dog foods happens once in a while. It does not mean that your 4-legged companion can now starve. There are plenty of foods in your kitchen and pantry that the dog can feed on before you make it to the store.
