We all want the best for our pets, we love them, and we want to give them the best conditions to live with us, including the food. Probably you already know that the best food for them is the one you are buying from pet shops, but who can stay calm when a puppy is watching you eat your meal, and prays for a piece of your food?
You must be very careful with that because some ingredients that are good for us can be dangerous for them. As you expect, most of the information on the Internet is surrounded by myths, and if you start exploring the topic, you will get more confused, especially if this is your first time owning a dog.
In this article, we will try to cover most of the common myths related to dog food and help you overcome them. According to DogLeash Pro, many people avoid giving the dogs some particular type of food as a treat because they aren’t sure if their pet can process it properly.
Be very careful about the lactose quantities in the snacks, because not every breed handles it equally. So, let’s start with the most common myth:
1. Our food can be dangerous for them
img source: vetwork.co
Some dogs are allowed to eat human food, depending on how it’s prepared, and the size of the portion. Not every human food is toxic for them. If you are active on TikTok, you can see that the profiles that provide natural food for the dogs are getting more popular as time goes by.
They combine raw meat, cooked meat, eggs, herbs, and many other ingredients. But, you shouldn’t let them eat chocolate, drink tea and coffee, raw fish, salty snacks, yeast products, onion, garlic, dairy, fatty nuts, and grapes.
Even small amounts can be dangerous or toxic. Instead, you can give them oatmeal prepared with water, and mixed with their food, then cauliflower, sweet potatoes, apples, carrots, raw or cooked pork, blueberries, and pears, as long as you keep the amount really small.
2. Eggs are bad for them
Raw eggs can be bad, and if you decide to add them to their feeding plan, you have to go for quality products that you are sure are always fresh. Generally, their stomach is more resistant to salmonella than ours, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need to pay attention to the eggs you give to your dog.
The best solution is to give them hard-boiled eggs, just like you prepare them for yourself.
3. They can’t process all dairy products
img source: sausagedogworld.com
We already mentioned their inability to digest dairy products, because most of the dogs are lactose intolerant. But, if your pet isn’t, a piece of fresh cheese can be a good treat for them. They love the milky taste. But, before you do anything like that, you must know if your dog has allergies. Be very careful with the dairy products, give them small amounts, so you can see how they react to them.
4. They are exclusively carnivores
At the beginning of the article, we mentioned that today some herbs, fruits, and vegetables are added to the dog’s meal plan, which means they are not obligate carnivores like some of their wild relatives are. Nature made them eat meat like a basic ingredient for all the nutritional needs, but some fruits, vegetables, herbs, and eggs can improve the nutritional quality of their meal. On the other hand, cats are mostly carnivores, and their meals should be based on meat.
5. Lamb is a safe choice
img source: victorpetfood.com
A lot of pet owners consider lamb as a safe choice for their dogs. But, keep in mind that some breeds that are prone to allergies may find it too heavy for digestion, or cause allergic reactions. Vets are recommending to balance the meat sources and make combinations because every meat has different nutritional values that are important for their growth and development.
6. Proteins can cause kidney failure
Proteins are an important part of every nutrition plan. Don’t overdo it, but also, include them in every meal. If your dog has kidney disease, the vet will give you instructions about feeding. We all need proteins so our bodies can build up properly.
But, in order to protect the dog’s kidneys, you have to combine the meals with other ingredients and control the intake of proteins. That means only a half of the meal should consist of them, and your dog will be completely fine with that.
7. Meat meals are bad for them
img source: petplace.com
Meat meals are made with purpose. The manufacturer is choosing the chunks and combine them with other ingredients, infusing the can with vitamins and minerals that are crucial for your dog. For example, the raw chicken may contain fats, but they are removed in the chicken meal, and the meat is grounded or cut into chunks.
Also, combining the two approaches is the best way to be sure the dog gets everything they need in the meaning of nutrition.
How to avoid falling for myths?
Once you get your pet, you have to take it to the vet, so they can examine their condition, and tell you the specific things about the breed. You always need to listen to their recommendations and don’t hold onto Google results. What’s on the Internet can be pretty confusing, and even though this information is very valuable, you always have to check it with the vet first. Just like people, there are different dogs too.
They may find something very tasty, and other things disgusting for them.
As time goes by, you will learn to recognize their needs. Give yourself enough time to learn together with them. Dogs are becoming a sticky part of our lives, and they need us to walk them, feed them, and of course, share the love with them.
Be a responsible owner and always check every change in their behavior with your vet. Experiment with allowed foods, and make a great meal plan for your pet. We hope you will spend beautiful years together too.
