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Natural Diets for Dogs

Natural Diets for Dogs Holistic veterinarians are convinced that natural diets for dogs are one of the main keys to optimal dog health.

A balanced natural diet gives our dogs beautiful shiny coats, non-itchy problem-free skin, and keeps them healthy and happy.

Natural diets can also improve digestive problems such as chronic diarrhea, gas, and constipation.

Dogs with allergies, kidney and liver problems also benefit greatly if their diets are switched to natural and organic.

If you are considering giving your dog natural home-made diets but are unsure exactly what to include in the diet, read on ...


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Natural Diets for Dogs - Freshness and Variety

Freshness

You can feel "life" in food that is fresh. Natural enzymes, probiotics, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals in their most natural state (therefore more digestible and easier to assimilate) can be found in fresh food.

Remember, the less heat-processed the food, the more likely it is that the nutrients will be preserved in their natural state by the time we feed it to our dogs.

Because of this, many veterinarians now advocate feeding our dogs fresh raw foods over commercial dog kibble. If you look at the freshness scale below, you will understand why:

The Freshness Scale:

  1. Home prepared diet (preferably raw)
  2. Frozen raw food diets
  3. Freeze-dried and dehydrated foods
  4. Canned foods
  5. Dry kibble

However, it is understandable that not every dog parent has the time (and the inclination) to prepare home-made food for their dogs every day. Don't feel bad if you cannot cook for your dog - it's OK! There are other choices. For example, if you feed your dog dry kibble, you can still add fresher foods such as fresh or frozen raw food and bones, or fresh cooked meat, healthy table scraps, freeze-dried or dehydrated foods, and even canned food to enhance the quality of the overall diet.

Variety

Another important point to remember is "variety". Just as we eat a variety of foods every day, so should our pets. A more diverse diet is far more likely to provide complete nutrition than a "formulated" diet fed over and over again. Not only will our pets get tired of the food, but also, more importantly, eating the same food repeatedly over long periods of time can contribute to the development of food sensitivities and allergies.

It is important therefore to add different varieties to your dog's foods regularly.

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Main Ingredients in Natural Diets for Dogs

The most important thing to remember when planning natural diets for dogs is to provide the right mix of nutrients.

Although each individual dog is different, as a general rule of thumb, each meal should be made up of:

  • one-third protein
  • one-third vegetables
  • one-third grains

Sources of Protein

Meat is a rich source of protein and is also rich in many other nutrients beneficial to dogs. Many holistic veterinarians often recommend feeding our dogs these meats:

  • beef
  • chicken
  • turkey
  • pork
  • lamb

When serving meat to your dog, larger chunks are better for chewing and tearing. The process can naturally clean their teeth. Obviously, if your dog has dental problems or is older, you may want to cut the meat up into smaller chunks.

Whenever possible, feed more than one kind of meat in a meal. For example, include muscle and organ meats, or use different cuts of meat. Also, if possible, use organically raised or chemical-free meats.

Besides meat, other sources of protein include:

  • eggs
  • tofu
  • cottage cheese
  • fish

Vegetables

Natural Diets for Dogs

Some people have the misconception that dogs are carnivores and as such do not need to eat vegetables. In fact, dogs are "opportunity eaters" - besides meat, they can and do eat other foods such as veggies. Dogs like vegetables, especially those that have a sweet taste. Vegetables are great sources of vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber. Also, as most vegetables are low in calories, they can be added to your dog's diet in modest quantities without adding too many calories overall.

Some vegetables can be fed to your dog fresh and uncooked, while others have to be cooked to help your dog digest them properly.

The following vegetables do not have to be cooked. They are best served blended or pureed since that is the way they would be found in the wild diet (from the stomachs of dead animals):

  • alfalfa sprouts
  • beets
  • bell peppers
  • carrots
  • celery
  • fresh corn
  • cucumber
  • zucchini

* Occasionally, you can give your dog a whole unpeeled and uncooked carrot to chew on. It is good for the teeth and gums.

On the other hand, these vegetables should be cooked before being fed to your dog:

  • broccoil
  • cauliflower
  • grean beans
  • peas
  • potatoes

Grains

Whole grains provide the carbohydrates needed to fuel your dog's brain and muscles. In addition, they are rich in vitamins and minerals, and they are inexpensive sources of protein as well.

Cook the grains until soft before feeding them to your dog since dogs cannot digest grains as readily as they do meats. Dogs (and cats) have much shorter intestinal tracts and so some pre-digestion (in the form of cooking) is needed. When cooked, whole grains fed to dogs can be utilized completely by the body.

The following are some excellent choices of grains for your dog:

  • brown rice
  • barley
  • oatmeal
  • cornmeal


Important Points to Remember

When preparing natural diets for dogs, bear in mind these points:

  • Aim for variety as this helps to ensure the best balance of nutrients.
  • Buy organic foods wherever possible.
  • Unless you use organic vegetables and fruits, be sure to wash non-organic produce thoroughly as many of such vegetables and fruits may have been sprayed with insecticides at some point.

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Natural Diets for Dogs - Supplements

In addition to the above food ingredients, natural supplements should also be added to your dog's diet. In particular, the following supplements are essential because they fortify the diet with important vitamins and minerals to ensure that your dog is getting all the nutrients needed:





References

R. Kidd, Dr. Kidd's Guide to Herbal Dog Care (Storey Publishing, 2000).
Pitcairn and Pitcairn, Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats (Rodale, 2005).
A.D. Shojai, New Choices in Natural Healing for Dogs and Cats (Rodale Press, Inc., 1999).

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