One question that frequently comes up is can dogs eat dry food. The answer to this question is an emphatic, “yes.” Even if your dog happens to be a very fast eater, it simply will not survive on the dry stuff. Even if it survives for an hour or so, it will soon find that it is more painful to chew on something that is hard and dry. Also, many dogs are highly allergic to even the smallest traces of saliva.
Many people assume that dogs can’t have any preference in what they eat. This is simply untrue. Many dogs enjoy a variety of different foods. They can eat whatever you give them, provided that it’s not hurting their puppies.
To be sure, dogs can’t help what they eat and there is nothing in the dog’s nature to want to eat something that is harmful to their health. However, there are certain foods that dogs seem to prefer over others.
If you go to a dog show and watch the various dogs jockeying for the best treats, you will see that in most cases, the winner will be the dog that is able to select the dry food that is most appetizing. It is this very preference that leads veterinarians to recommend canned food over kibble.
Another thing that leads veterinarians to recommend dry food is because studies have shown that dogs fed dry food have less flatulence and more energy than those who are fed kibble. This is especially true of large breed dogs.
Also, studies have shown that dogs fed dry food tend to be less susceptible to urinary tract infections and are less likely to develop digestive problems like flatulence. Also, older dogs seem to benefit more from canned food than do younger ones. This is because as the dog’s age, part of the dog’s diet has already been canned and part of the diet has been kibble.
The last reason that veterinarians prefer canned food to kibble is because dogs enjoy it. It can take quite a long time to make a dog’s bowl full of kibble and it can be messy to feed the dog himself. If you have a lot of people living with your pet, it can be difficult to keep clean up the mess! But if you feed your dog canned, he will enjoy it will be much easier to make it a part of his day.
So can dogs eat kibble? With all of the evidence available to you, the answer would have to be yes. In fact, today’s dog can eat just about anything that an adult can eat, so don’t worry if you are going to have to go with the canned route.
What Can Dogs Eat?
While it may seem silly to ask “what can dogs eat,” the answer is a resounding yes! The fact is that dogs are omnivores, which means they eat anything, as long as it is not harmful to their bodies. The following list is filled with the usual foods dogs are fed, and others you might want to consider adding to your dog’s diet.
Dogs can eat almost any kind of cooked meat. Deer, pork, chicken, duck, steak…it’s all fine with them. Chicken livers and liver are high in protein and fat, while beef is a good source of protein and, of course, calories. If you are concerned about the safety of some foods on the list, don’t be afraid to consult your vet or the dog owner’s handbook. Many dog foods are hypoallergenic and are specifically made for hypersensitive animals like dogs. Chicken livers, liver, and kidneys can be given to dogs with special diets and they will be safe.
Vegetables are another common food item dogs eat. They can eat fresh, frozen, and dry vegetables. Some cooked vegetables (potatoes, squash, zucchini) should be avoided because they can trigger an attack. Fruits can also be cooked and are okay to give to your dog. Just make sure they are fresh and not canned. Watch out for fruits that have been handled with pesticides.
As far as human foods go, you can feed your dog practically anything. Some human foods (ham/jerky, cheese, raisins, etc) can actually be toxic to dogs, so always check with your vet before feeding your dog these foods. Not all dogs will eat cooked food, but many will if it’s good quality and there is no real danger. Even if your dog doesn’t eat cooked food, he will still eat other types of food you give him, just be careful.
To find dog food for specific needs, talk to your vet. He or she can tell you what can dogs eat and what can’t. Even with the information from your vet, you may still be wondering “what can dogs eat?” The best thing to do is keep a dog food diary. These allow you to record what your dog eats and when. This can help you determine what can be fed to your dog, what needs to be avoided, and can even help you figure out what the best dog food items are.
Keeping a dog food diary will not only help you to monitor your dog’s health, but it will also be helpful in making dietary changes if necessary. You can look at the daily habits, your dog has and write them down as well. From here, you can decide which items you want to feed him. Also, keep in mind that the cheaper dog foods may not be as nutritious, which is why it’s important to read the label carefully.
