In many households throughout the country, the family dog is sometimes more revered than the actual family members. Human beings have come to form a solid companionship with their canine friends, and therefore, take care of them as if they were their own child. One of the first major steps in providing your dog with a high quality of life is deciding which type of dog food to give them. With so many different types of dog food on the market, it can be hard and overwhelming to settle on just one. People have always asked pet experts and veterinarians alike, “What are the best foods for dogs?”
Like humans, dogs are seen as omnivores, meaning that they can live healthy lives while consuming a wide variety of different foods. This means that meats, vegetables, and grains are all plausible for a dog to consume. On top of this, dogs are also similar to humans in that they need a properly balanced diet and moderately sized meal. Failure to do so can result in health complications such as diabetes.
What The Experts Are Saying
Over the years, pet experts and veterinarians have looked into the best foods for dogs. From the evidence gathered, it seems that dog food products that are based on corn (meaning that corn was the first ingredient on the ingredient list), resulted in dogs that were fatigued, out of shape, and overall unhealthy. That is because corn is very difficult to digest for dogs, and provides very little nutritional value. When shopping for dog food, make sure that corn is not at the top of the list. Many recognized dog food brands use corn as a main food source.
It seems that best foods for dogs are meat sources such as chicken, beef, and even lamb. Some of the most highly praised dog food brands contain mostly meat, providing a great source of protein and nutrients to your dog. Research by pet experts and veterinarians over the years has confirmed this.
The Worst Foods For Dogs
Of course, dogs are different creatures than humans, and there are some food items that we may love that dogs cannot have no matter what the situation is. While we are discussing the best foods for dogs, it’s also important to highlight the worst types as well. Avocado, for example, is a food humans love to eat. Unfortunately, avocado contains a substance called persin, which is extremely harmful to dogs if consumed at high amounts. Common cooking items such as onions and garlic are also very harmful to dogs. These two food products, whether it’s powdered, raw, or cooked, can severely cripple a dog’s red blood cell count, leading to anemia. We’ve all heard about chocolate being dangerous to dogs. That is because chocolate contains theobromine, which is the ingredient that is extremely toxic to dogs. Upon consumption, chocolate can cause your dog to vomit, have diarrhea, and lead to severe conditions such as abnormal heart rhythm and seizures.
Provide Your Dog With A Meat Based Diet
When looking at research and testimonials, providing your dog with a diet revolving around meat seems to be the way to go. People have raved about how their dogs look strong, active, and beautiful since starting a meat-based diet. Next time, you’re shopping for dog food, look into products that are meat-based rather than corn-based. While you may have to throw a few extra bucks on the dog food, you will be able to enjoy your dog’s company for much longer, and provide them with a greater quality of life.