"Real" Food that are ok to feed dogs

[NS]

Hi, I was wondering if there is a list of foods on DK that some started that lists foods that are ok to give our dogs?  I tried giving our puppy yogurt and he threw up a few hours later, I mentioned this to our local pet store and she was horrified that I would give my puppy yogurt.  I know many of you regularly give your dogs yogurt for the probiotics and pumpkin for the fiber. Are there any other "clean, nutritious" foods that you give your dog?? 

Thanks!! 

[Jill, Woody & Maxi]

You can even try making your own by buying the plain unflavored yogurt and mixing in a very small amount of peanut butter, that way you will have more control over the fat content!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I'd just add be careful about how much you feed of the higher fat "human foods".  A few little pieces of cheese shouldn't hurt, but you have to be careful about fat content and Pancreatitis.  After one of my Doodles had a serious episode of Pancreatitis my Vet told me no more Peanut Butter or cheese. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Good point, Jane.

[F, Calla & Luca]

And lots of dogs don't tolerate cheese too well due to lactase deficiency.

[Jen and Annie]

I may add, just because someone works at a pet store does not make them an expert on the canine diet..LOL, I would take their 'horror' with a grain of salt..  

Neither am I an expert, or claim to be, but my gut tells me that since domestic dogs were bred from wolves not all that long ago (200 years is a very short time from an 'evolutionary' standpoint)  - we feed our dogs what I feel is appropriate for a mostly carnivorous animal.  My dogs only eat human food - raw meat and edible bone, a small amount of pureed vegetables (as this would mimic what might be in the stomach contents of a prey animal), and we supplement with yogurt (plain and unsweetened) and fish oil supplements to counter the Omega 6's in the meat.. The way I see it, if my dogs were truly wild - they would likely hunt a small animal to eat on the spot..  As Karen said though, we kept Annie on the breeders diet for about 2 weeks (and talked with our vet) before we transitioned her to her raw diet...

In a pinch, we would feed a high quality (USA) kibble - we may end up having to do that for a camping trip later this year.. But as another poster mentioned, I would recommend getting a good handle on what is NOT ok for dogs (raisins, chocolate, artificial sweeteners, onions, etc - there is info in the food group on that)... Some other things we give the girls from time to time in small amounts is green beans, peas, broccoli (watch out for toots!), canned pumpkin, berries, cottage cheese, eggs... We do puree veggies (or use baby food) before we give them to the girls though because I don't think their stomachs are designed to break down the fiber in whole pieces of veggies - i could be wrong.. but this is how we do it.  Join the food group!    

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Our stomachs aren't designed to break down the fiber in most raw vegetables, either, lol. Many people aren't aware of this, but certain vegetables, like carrots, are actually more nutritious when cooked than when eaten raw, as the cooking does help break down the plant cellulose and makes the nutrients more available to us. But there's still nothing wrong with munching on raw carrots, lol.

There is a brand new study out that shows that domesticated dogs have adapted for survival purposes in several ways, and one of those is the ability to digest starches, which their wolf ancestors could not do. This study has demonstrated several differences in physiology between dogs and wolves, and in the actual genomes of dogs and wolves, some of them being digestive differences. http://www.uu.se/en/news/news-document/?id=2295&typ=artikel&...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/learning-to-l...

 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Also, and I truly don't mean to be argumentative here, dogs separated from wolves at least 15,000 years ago, not 200. There are many breeds of purebred domestic dogs that are known to be more than 200 years old., with some believed to be at least a thousand years old:

The present lineage of dogs was domesticated from gray wolves probably about 15,000 years ago.^[5] Though remains of domesticated dogs have been found in Siberia and Belgium from about 33,000 years ago, none of those lineages seem to have survived the Last Glacial Maximum. Although DNA testing suggests an evolutionary split between dogs and wolves around 100,000 years ago, no fossil specimens prior to 33,000 years ago are clearly morphologically domesticated dog.^[6][7][8]

I think the bottom line is that as long as you provide the appropriate nutrients and calories in the form of safe wholesome foods, there is no one "right" way to feed your dog. Some people want to feed raw, and that's okay. Some people want to feed kibble, and that's okay. Some people want to cook for their dogs, and that's okay. Some people wnat to feed a combination of types of foods, and that's okay, too. Some give table scraps or fresh foods, and some are afraid to do that. It's okay to do whatever you are comfortable with doing. The important thing is to make sure that whatever you are feeding is safe and nutritionally adequate, and that includes looking at the sources of ingredients in commercial foods and treats.

Life would be pretty dull and sad for everyone, dogs and people alike, if we always only ate what we "needed" from a nutritional standpoint. Everyone here who never eats a piece of candy, which God knows none of us "need", raise your hand, lol.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

"Life would be pretty dull and sad for everyone, dogs and people alike, if we always only ate what we "needed" from a nutritional standpoint. Everyone here who never eats a piece of candy, which God knows none of us "need", raise your hand, lol."

But then again, I would not have a weight issue if I did eat to live instead of live to eat (which I think, outside of your lime flavored stuff, is pretty much the way you, my dear and healthy friend, eats.

:0)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I've decided that in my old age, I can let myself 'go" a bit more than I used to, lol. But yes, the key is moderation and common sense. First, put into your body the best things you can to sustain and enhance health. Then if there's room, treat yourself once in awhile.

I used to tell my classes: Having a piece of cake for breakfast is...let's say, "inappropriate", lol. Having a piece of cake at your best friend's DD's wedding is celebrating. :)

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

OMD a girl after my own heart!  In this household we have had "cake" for breakfast on more then one occasion!  Not kidding:o)

[Veronica Z.]

LOL! I had cake for breakfast this morning! :)

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Awesome Veronica!  You go girl!