What can I feed my dog other than dog food for a daily diet?

Question

Like some people food thrown together. My dog is 5yrs old, not quite a senior yet I don't think but he isn't healthy and I want him to live happily!
A schedual would be nice too, thanks!

Answer 1

Your dog should only be fed once a day, and only the recommended amount your vet tells you. If you want to give him a snack from time to time, give him doggie treats.

He can also have some fresh fruits and vegetables. You just have to play around with that to see what he likes.

One thing to watch out for though, is grapes and raisins. There is a chemical in them that does not agree with a dog's system. He can have a few of each, but I wouldn't give him an entire bunch of grapes or an entire box of raisins.

As far as regular people food goes, I'd give him a little bit of cooked rice or some noodles. He can have a little bit of bread, too. A raw egg from time to time will help promote a healthy coat and will give him protein he needs.

You can give him raw turkey or chicken, bones and all. If the chicken or turkey is cooked, it MUST be off the bone, as the bones have a tendancy to shatter and splinter, and can cause major damage to his digestive tract.

He'd probably enjoy a can of tuna or other fish, from time to time. With fish, the bones are either fully removed (for convenience), or are soft enough to be eaten by anyone.

Dog food has all of the same things I listed, it's just usually in a dry "kibble" form, or in the canned stuff. Still, adding a little variety of the fresh foods and meats, won't hurt anything.

Giving a dog leftovers is generally frowned on by vets. We like heavy sauces and spices in our foods. Dogs don't seem to like spices too much, and the rich gravy and sauce isn't good for them.

Answer 2

Sorry if I get long winded here but you asked.

The hardest thing about having any pet is for the human not to think in human terms when it comes to the pet. Your dog can go it's entire life eating only dog food. It doesn't know about junk food. There are some people foods that are good for a dog. If yours is of the Lab or Golden, hunting breeds, they love apples, banana's and the core to a head of lettuce.

I say this with all seriousness, NOTHING WITH SPICES, ONIONS, COW MILK OR CHOCOLATE. IF you think about it, what does spicy things do to a person's system, gas. The last thing you want is for your dog to get gassy. LOL

Onions mess with a dogs immune system, I've seen what it does and it's not nice for the dog or you, the dog usually dies. Cow milk or dairy products will also cause gas. Choc and ice cream mess with a dog's pancreas. It can cause, and will cause cancer of the pancreas. I had it happen to my first dog, so sad to watch him do down hill when I could have not given him ice cream and candy.

Cooked bones are a major NO-NO. Cooked will splinter, raw will not. Think about it this way, in the wild, wolves and coyotes don't cook a chickhen. LOL When I have a dog with a litter of pups, she gets chick wings raw to help her milk supply. Raw will not make your dog want blood, a very old wives tale. The blood has been bled out anyway.

If you decide to give your dog people food do it as a treat and not an every day thing. If you dog is a small breed you can feed the regular dog food 2 times a day. The larger breeds can get by with only one time a day but with the larger amount of food.

Hope this helped you some.

Answer 3

Believe it or not, dogs don't really care whether they eat the same kibble every day for the rest of their lives or they eat gourmet people food. Except that they will be much healthier eating dog food that has been engineered for dogs.

Dogs don't find their food boring. They may get excited about eating something more tasty or to get a taste of what you're eating. But, if they never went a day eating anything more than dog food and water, they're perfectly happy with that.

Answer 4

There are all kinds of dog food receipes on the internet now.. I usually feed my dog cooked ground chicken or lamb with some veggies mixed in and some cheese cause he will eat even dry dog food if he has cheese on it :) If you do feed them that way crush (if they wont' take it) a dog vitamin into their food and mix it all up.
Oh add a touch of garlic for flavor not too much or it will make them sick.. no onions either.

Answer 5

I have a dog as well and a healthy diet is very important to me too. I feed my dog rice with some chicken in the morning, and some dry food at night. He loves it and you could always switch it so that the dry food is in the morning. I also give him a treat after his evening walk. It gives your dog something to look forward too.I would stay away from the packaged "wet" food because it made my dog sick.

Answer 6

How about Pedigree Dentastix? They help your dog's teeth get clean and they come with vegetables for Dogs and they are very healthy, or some regular Dog Kibble ( you can add some carrots and other veggies in Kibble), that will keep your Dog healthy, recharged and up and running. I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help but I'm a bit of a Cat person you see..... I'm really sorry and I hope your Dog gets well.

Answer 7

People food thrown together.. That sounds like a wonderful diet for a dog ( she says with sarcasm ) Feed a good quality kibble.. Quit trying to feed your dog leftovers..

Answer 8

Dogs can eat apples, bananas (without the peel), and even tomatos! It is okay to give your dog a SMALL piece of meat once and a while...same with cheese. Peanut butter is fine too.

Answer 9

Dog kibble is best for his nutritional needs. He will stay healthy.

If you like add in some veggies like carrots, or other hard veggies as treats. No onions or grapes, though/

Answer 10

There are alot of recipes on the net. Some can be costly and time consuming to make. i would stick with a good quality kibble, and some nutritious snacks, we give our dogs pieces of carrots every evening they love them, u can give alot of different fruits and veggies raw.