11 Foods That Are Healthy For Dogs
Aside from spending lots of our time with our dogs, we also love to spoil them with the human food that we eat, as we always get defeated by their adorable eyes when they’re begging for food. There are some foods that are bad for their health, some even poisonous, but the good thing, there are foods that we eat that are also great for our little pups. Some can even be better than the food we usually buy in stores. Here is a list of food that you do not need to hesitate to give your dog, as they are great for them.
1. Cooked Eggs.
Eggs are as healthy to us as they are to our dogs. They are also very cheap, making them great treats for the pups. But a few things to be aware of is that when you are preparing eggs for them, try to add as little oil or seasoning as possible. The egg should be cooked as a whole as possible, and either the egg white or the yolk should be taken out. It is also important to know that dogs do not deal well with raw eggs, so just cook them before feeding them.
2. Cooked Chicken.
As dogs used to be hunter animals way back in time, their body would appreciate it if you feed them meat. But as they’ve become pets, it is important to know that you need to cook the chicken before feeding it to them, as raw chicken might contain bacteria. Make sure that you try to avoid adding seasonings when cooking the chicken, and also try to avoid giving them the bones, as it is bad for their teeth. Chicken might be pricier than the other food mentioned in this article, but they do provide a great ton of proteins to your pup.
3. Carrots.
Just like carrots are excellent for us, they are great for our dogs too. Some dogs might be pickier as dogs are carnivores and they would much prefer chewing on meat than the vegetable. Carrots provide a tremendous amount of nutrients to dogs. Being vegetables, they are high in fiber, and aside from that they are low in calories, so your pup can eat lots of it would gaining any unwanted weight. They also contain lots of nutrients, such as vitamin A, B, C, and K, which is great for blood clotting. Eating just enough amount of it also provides your pup with sufficient energy due to it containing magnesium, manganese, and phosphorus. Aside from the internal benefits, chewing on carrots are also great for their teeth.
4. Apple Slices.
It is known that the seeds and core of an apple can lead to the death of your pup, but do not forget the health benefits apples actually have! As they are fruits, they are high in fiber and also other nutrients, such as vitamin A and C. Apples are also great for their mouth and teeth, as they help fresh up your pup’s breath and also clean up residues off their teeth. Just be aware or remove the skin and seed before feeding it to them.
5. Oily fish.
Since dogs are carnivores, they do enjoy fishes as well. Oily fishes, such as salmon, mackerel, and sardine, and so on, are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which help to keep your dog’s skin in a good condition, as well as keeping their fur beautiful. Many store-bought dog treats do contain an amount of fatty acid in them as well, hence it is totally saved for them. Fish also provide protein for dogs, and they also help to improve their immune system.
6. Cheese.
Although some dairy is bad for dogs, that doesn’t mean all of them are dangerous to them. There are some dogs that are lactose intolerant, and you should keep them away from cheese. But for those that doesn’t, cheese is actually a great protein and calcium, helping your dog to build strong bones. However, if you are feeding them cheese, aside from making sure they are not lactose intolerant, try to find a cheese that is as natural as possible, that does not have any seasoning or spices. It is important to also know that you shouldn’t feed too much cheese to your dog, as they are high in fat content.
7. Raw Unsalted Peanut Butter.
Although peanut butter has a bad reputation with its high content of fats, if you only consume those raw ones without unhealthy or artificial ingredients in them, they can be really healthy, not just us but also our pup. Raw unsalted peanut butter is high in healthy fat and protein, which can help keep dogs full for a long time. Aside from that, they also do contain other healthy nutrients, such as vitamins B and E. However, you need to be aware of the ingredients in the peanut butter, as some do contain salt and artificial sugar, such as xylitol, which can be dangerous to dogs.
8. Oatmeal.
Oatmeal is one of the most well-known superfoods, and fortunately, enough dogs can eat them as well! Oatmeal is high in dietary fiber which can be helpful with bowel issues, and it is also packed with vitamins and minerals. As some dogs can be sensitive to grains, make sure you get your dog a check with that before feeding them oatmeal. One thing to also make sure of is to not add toppings to oatmeal if you’re feeding them to dogs. There can be healthy toppings to put, but there are also toppings that we put on our oatmeal that our pups might not be able to digest.
9. Yogurt.
Dairy can be one of the most confusing food. There are some that can be detrimental to dogs’ health, but others, such as yogurt, can also be a great food to feed your dog! But that is if you are sure that your dog is not lactose intolerant, or else just keep them away from your pup. Yogurt is high in calcium and protein, which is great for your pups’ teeth and bones. They are also packed with vitamin B12, potassium, phosphorus, and so on. They also do contain probiotics that are can improve dogs’ digestive systems. Something to be sure of is that the yogurt should be free of flavors of any other artificial ingredients, as some of them might be harmful to your dog.
10. Pumpkin.
Pumpkin does not only taste good, they are extremely healthy as well, and not just to us, but to dogs too! Pumpkins are high in fiber, which is great for dogs’ digestive systems. They are also high in potassium, vitamin A and C. Since pumpkin are higher in sugar and lower in salt, they are great in keeping the quality of their fur. However, if you are preparing pumpkin for your dog, make sure you cook them soft enough so your pup wouldn’t choke on them. If you’re feeding them from a can, be sure you get pumpkin puree as pure as possible and avoid those that are added to anything.
11. Sweet Potato.
Just like pumpkin, sweet potato is healthy and delicious. They are especially great to dogs due to their high nutrients content, such as vitamin A, vitamin B6, and also vitamin C, which helps to strengthen their immune system. As they are vegetables, they are also high in fiber. Consuming sweet potatoes will boost antioxidants in your pup’s body that will improve their healing and also slow down their aging process. Make sure the sweet potato you feed your dog is cooked and soft, whether it’s baked or boiled, but remember it is best to not add any sugar or spices into them.
These are just some of the foods that are great for your dogs. Of course, there are still many foods out there that are excellent for your pups’ health. Sure, that doesn’t mean that their store-bought foods are not healthy. Just like how we would get bored of eating the same food, dogs are like that too. Doesn’t hurt to change up their food from time to time so they wouldn’t try to skip a meal, and they are getting more nutrients for a cheaper price.
To end this article, here is a quote about dogs:
“My dog is my baby. I cannot find the words to explain how much having my dog in my life means to me, but I do know that without my dog, my world would be so much more dark and empty.”
*Disclaimer: The writer is not an expert, a nutritionist, or a veterinary of any kind. The information given is all dependent on the research she had done and is considered to be appropriate to be up on this list. All dogs are different and would react differently to each food. Although the food mentioned can be healthy for your dogs, but you need to be sure of any condition your dog might have, such as lactose intolerance. The writer would not be responsible for any medical issues that would happen due to the extracted information was shown.
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