What Foods Can Dogs Eat?

Dogs are like human beings and just as long as the food is fit for us to eat, it should be safe for our furry friends. A dog is a carnivore and its main nutrient requirement should come from meat. Carbohydrates aren't so vital for dogs (especially in large amounts) but they still need some of them since they provide energy and carbohydrates are the main source of energy for all mammals. Dogs also need proteins in their diet because they are a good source of amino acids, which give life to your dog's tissues. They should mainly come from animal-based foods (meat, eggs). If you're going to feed your pooch dry commercial food, look out for the protein percentage on the label. Dogs should get at least 15% of complete proteins in their diets.

Can Dogs eat Durian Seeds?

All dogs love treats - and they're healthy too!

Dogs are big fans of snacks so you should be feeding them some yummy treats every now and then (they don't have to be expensive, you can make your own homemade treats, your dog will love you for that). Just make sure that the snacks you give them are nutritious and safe. You can even hide vitamins in their meals since dogs usually have a good appetite when they're getting to a 'special meal'.

Be careful with bones though - they may splinter if they're cooked too much and they can get caught in your dog's throat. Dogs also need water! They can't survive without it so make sure you always have a fresh bowl of water for them.

Feeding your dog some table scraps shouldn't be an every day thing (it'll ruin their appetite) but now and then, they should enjoy what we eat. Just don't cook their meat in spices, that's not good for them.

The important thing is to always check the recipe before feeding it to your dog! If you're making your own dog food, make sure you purchase human grade ingredients and avoid artificial ingredients or preservatives. And if you can't find a specific ingredient on the list, just skip it for now until you can find a safe alternative.

Homemade dog food - the easy way!

You can easily make your own dog food at home but you have to be very careful with the ingredients and preparation process. You should always check that there's no onion or garlic in the recipe since they are toxic for dogs. You can't use table scraps either (too much salt and spices), or raw meat that you didn't cook properly.

Always buy fresh ingredients (preferably organic) and check the recipe for possible allergens such as corn, wheat products, soy, dairy products etc. It's best to have your dog on a vegetarian diet but in case you're adding fish or meat and it's not that often, don't worry.

When making your own dog food at home, always follow the recipe to the letter and don't add too much of any specific ingredient. You should also keep all leftovers away from dogs - they can be toxic after 2 hours so throw them away.

• What are the nutrients needed by dogs and how much?

Proteins are vital for all mammals, including dogs. They are responsible for all the main functions in your dog's body and they're needed for him to develop properly. Proteins make up most of his muscles, skin, hair, nails, blood vessels etc.

Dogs need lots of proteins because they are constantly growing! Also, growing puppies have a high protein requirement so they can develop properly. Puppies usually need at least 18% complete proteins in their diet (until 6 months of age).

Dogs and puppies have specific needs so always check the label on the dog food you're buying! Don't forget that kittens are also growing animals so they have similar needs. Also, some dogs have special nutritional needs such as large or giant breeds who need more calories and proteins.

Carbohydrates should be another important part of your dog's diet since they're the source of energy for his muscles. They give him the ability to run, jump, play chase game and do other physical activities without getting tired quickly. Since dogs are carnivores by nature, it's unlikely that they need carbohydrates since they create energy from proteins and fats in their food.

On the other hand, some sources say that carbs are a good source of fiber for dogs and can help with digestion since they have a shorter colon than humans do. It depends on your dog's size, age and activity level (some working dogs need more energy and nutrients to keep them going during the day).

The best sources of carbs for your dog are fruits and vegetables, or whole grains. Carbohydrates should be around 25% in your dog's food but if you want to lower their amount in the recipe, add more protein instead. You should avoid feeding them sugary, processed foods because it will increase their chances of getting diabetes and other problems.

Fats are essential for your dog's health so don't skip them from the recipe! Fats provide energy to all cells in your dog's body. They help with absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K and they keep his skin and coat healthy.

Fats can be found in animal sources like salmon, tuna or chicken but also in vegetable fats such as sunflower or olive oil. Fats should be around 15% of the total recipe so it's usually enough to add a spoonful of butter or some extra virgin olive oil.

Be careful not to feed your dog too much fat or it will put on weight. On the other hand, don't give them a diet that's too low in fats either because it will affect their immune system, reproductive system and risk of heart disease.

Even if you're making homemade dog food at home, never leave out minerals from the recipe. Your dog needs them to keep his body in balance and function properly. Minerals are part of bones and teeth so they give your dog strong ligaments, joints and muscles.

Minerals are also needed for metabolism, cell development, transportation of oxygen through the blood etc. There's a group of minerals that should be added every time you make the recipe: calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium and potassium.

Calcium is one of the most important minerals in your dog's diet since it's needed for many functions in his body. It's responsible for keeping your dog strong, preventing osteoporosis and regulating heart rate.

Chicken or pork bones are great sources of calcium but you can also find it in green leafy vegetables such as kale or spinach. Calcium should be between 0.9 and 1.2% of the recipe depending on the age, breed and size of your dog.

Phosphorus is needed for proper metabolism in all cells of your dog's body so it will keep him strong and energetic all day long. It's also needed for building strong teeth and bones so it will keep your dog happy and moving for years!

Phosphorus is found in animal sources such as chicken, eggs, fish or dairy products but you can also find it in beans, cauliflower and whole grains. If you're buying commercial food then the percentage of phosphorus should be around 0.5%.

Magnesium helps your dog's metabolism, brain and heart to function correctly so it will keep him in great shape. The best sources are leafy greens such as spinach and broccoli but you can also find magnesium in salmon, beef or brown rice. If you don't add any calcium rich food, then you should add extra magnesium to the recipe.

If you're going to make your own dog food, check out our recipe book for a beginner - check out Learn About Pet

• it's filled with great ideas!

My name is Pet Lover and I am the owner of Learnaboutpet.com. My pet website was started in January 2011 and since then it has exploded into a great resource for thousands of people every month that are looking for info about their furry friends