Many dogs are fed the very best commercial dog food available and are very happy and healthy. These dogs have very efficient digestive systems so that they don’t need as many of the essential nutrients lacking in even the best dry or tinned food. They are also very tolerant to residues of pesticide, preservative, colouring and flavouring to be found in the cheaper brands. Only if your dog becomes unwell and develops conditions such as vomiting, diarrhoea, itchy skin and lameness will you find out that your pet requires a better diet and it is a good idea to review their diet while also carrying out treatment prescribed by your vet.
The better quality brands of dog food are certainly healthier than the cheap ones, and as I have said, for many dogs they are perfectly adequate. The nutrients are well balanced and very digestible, but are still not in the complex forms and combinations that they are naturally. To best understand what should be included in a dog’s diet, we have to look at the diet of one of its closest wild relations, the wolf. In the wild, a carnivore gets its most essential nutrients from the contents in the gut of its prey. Usually being from a herbivore, the gut contains fermenting grass, fermenting milk and minimal amounts of grain. Besides this, a wolf would gain a lot of calcium and protein from effs (including the shell) and carcasses. It would also eat a lot of fallen rotting fruit, berries and leaf litter. If these foods are what wolves would eat and digest and thrive on, then the same should apply for the domestic dog.
Dried dog food was invented in order to combine these aspects all together in one diet, but due to the food having to be dried and cooked so that it will have a long shelf-life, the digestibility and nutritional value of the food is also inevitably reduced.
So, what do you feed your dog if you want to give them a more natural diet, or if you would like to supplement a processed diet with fresh food? Meat, vegetables, fruits and vital nutrients such as fatty acids, trace elements and vitamins. These can be fed as fish oils, ground seed, kelp, dolomite and herbs. You can also buy ready-made preparations of essential nutrients a list of which you can find at the bottom of this page.
Meat
Dogs need around 50% meat in their diet and more if meat is their only source of protein or if they are very active. Raw offal and meat from different animal sources is rich in protein and nutrients. Senior dogs especially benefit from eating liver and organs which contain CoQ10, an antioxidant essential for protecting the heart, good dental health and keeping other organs healthy including the brain.
Bones
Uncooked bones not only keep your dog occupied, (that’s a training tip for those of you who have dogs that get destructive when bored J) but are also nutrient rich and act as natural toothbrushes. As a side note, whole carrots also work well to keep your dog’s teeth clean. Never give a dog cooked bones as they will splinter and can easily be choked on. If you have a puppy or senior dog, consider feeding them raw chicken wings and/or necks as they are gentler on weak teeth. Bones should not be given too often as they can result in excessive tooth wear and constipation if eaten too regularly.
Other Foods
Most vegetables and ripe fruits that are edible for humans are edible for dogs. This excludes onions and avocados which cause vomiting and sometimes death in dogs. Never give your dog fruit pits or seeds as they are easy to choke on. Bananas, seaweed, spinach, parsley and watercress are rich in calcium. A variety of fruits but especially vegetables will provide dogs with most vitamins in the B group (help with digestive health) as well as Biotin, Folate, vitamins C, A, E, K and carotenoids (build a strong immune system and can be found in carrots).
Oils are a wonderful supplement to add to a dog’s diet as they contain omega-3 and fatty acids. These improve the fluidity of blood and fish oils in particular boost the immune system. They also keep your dog’s coat and skin in good condition.
Iodine, salt and other trace elements can be supplemented in your dog’s diet through kelp, fish and dairy products. Only add salt in small quantities especially if your dog gets a lot of fresh blood which contains a lot of salt.
Puppies
For you puppy owners, giving your puppies raw meaty bones is a very easy and effective way of getting them the protein, calcium and iodine that they need. As mentioned already, chicken necks and wings are the ideal form for puppies as they are highly digestible and easy for a puppy to manage. They are also high in important nutrients. Again, just as a wolf cub would get a variety of foods in its diet from foraging and eating the leftovers from the pack, so domestic pups need variety to get all of the nutrition they need.
If you would like to read more in-depth information on your dog’s nutrition requirements, have a look at the references below!
Further Reading:
Give Your Dog a Bone – Ian Billinghurst
Raw Food for Dogs – Silke Bohm
Top 3 Senior Dog Supplements – Dr Katie Woodley https://thenaturalpetdoctor.com/top-3-senior-dog-supplements/
Ready-made Nutrient Supplements:
The Missing Link Pet Kelp formulas – cost approximately $15.99/month for a 20kg dog
(There are a variety of different formulas for things such as joint health, skin health, senior dogs, digestion etc.) – Buy from www.missinglinkproducts.com
Sasha’s Blend Joint Health – cost approximately $79.99/3 months
(This blend contains green-lipped mussel which is great for breeds who are susceptible to joint issues and can also be used following joint injury or surgery.) – Buy locally in Albany from Head to Tail Pets
*Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your own veterinarian.