Feeding my dogs

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Healthy Leftovers Your Dog Will Love

pethelpful.com/dogs/can-I-feed-my-dog-table-scraps

Feeding table scraps to your dog is okay. There are a lot of new dog food brands being marketed since the commercial diets with tainted ingredients from unregulated manufacturers outside of North America started killing pets. Some of these new dog foods are high-quality, and you may even prefer these brands. The most amazing part of the new dog food kibble diets, however, is that they all claim to be “human-quality food,” and yet, they all cost more per pound than human-quality food!

If you think those "holistic" dog food prices seem too high, there are a couple of alternatives to buying these expensive kibble brands:

1- Make up your own diet with high-quality raw ingredients. This may or may not be any cheaper, depending on where you find the ingredients for the dog's food. It is better for your dog.

2- Make up a raw dog food with much cheaper ingredients. Even if you buy only human-quality ingredients, this is going to cost considerably less than the food out there on the market.

3- Make up a homemade diet and cook it at home.

4- Feed your dog whatever you are eating. Your dog's GI tract may not appreciate this alternative. It might cost you both in visits to the emergency vet and in late nights cleaning the carpet.

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Which Leftovers Can I Feed My Dog?
If you decide to feed your dog leftovers, are there healthy foods that you can give him? Sure there are, and here is a list:

1- Scrambled or boiled eggs. Omelettes are more likely to have onions, but if you have plain eggs, they make a great treat for the dog and are one of the foods most likely to improve the quality of his coat and decrease shedding. I would share my eggs-over-easy with my dogs, too, but there are never any left over.

2- Chicken giblets. The liver, gizzard, and heart that are included with a whole chicken can supply extra vitamins to your dog and are best given raw. These do have more fat than meat like the breast, so if your dog is overweight, giving giblets is not a good idea.

3- Plain yogurt. Yogurt is useful for replenishing the bacterial flora of the GI tract. If you use it and have any left over, your dog will benefit, too.

4- Cottage cheese. Although this does not have the same bacterial culture as yogurt, it does contain high-quality protein and some calcium. Dogs love it.

5- Carrot sticks. Your dog might not care too much for some veggie leftovers, but they provide extra antioxidants and some important vitamins. My dog will usually take a piece of raw corn on the cob but would no more be seen with a carrot stick than with a Border Collie.

6- Fish. Your dog can benefit from the high-quality protein and extra fatty acids supplied by fish, but this is one of those "all things in moderation" foods. If you give your dog a piece of salmon or tuna cooked in butter or oil, it may upset her stomach or cause some other GI problems. Give fish only in moderation.

7- Peanut butter sandwiches. If you are the kind of person that cuts the edges off your sandwich, you do not need to throw them away. Peanut butter is a great source of vegetable protein, and your dog will enjoy the crusts. Be sure to read the label on the peanut butter to make sure it is not made with xylitol or any other artificial sweetener that may hurt your dog.

The main point to remember is that a little bit of the right types of leftovers won't harm your dog. If you have any questions about the contents of the food or about the danger to your dog, throw the leftovers in the trash.

You can feed your dog pasta (without the sauce) and lean beef trimmings, but they do not have the health benefits of the other foods, so do not overdo it!

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Which Table Scraps Are Bad for My Dog?
If you just follow that list above, you are never going to give your dog anything that might hurt her. There are a few table scraps that are dangerous, though, so I added this list of things you need to avoid:

1- Anything with a lot of onions: You may have forgotten about the onions by the time you feed your dog. Feeding onions to dogs can cause severe anemia.

2- Anything with artificial sweeteners like xylitol: There are a lot of recipes out there that use artificial sweeteners in place of sugar. A small amount of xylitol is enough to kill your dog. Some other artificial sweeteners may cause problems but have not been tested.

3- Dishes containing alcohol: Most dishes have very little alcohol added, but it is better to avoid them.

4- Anything with grapes and raisins: If you are making a salad with apples and carrots, your dog will probably like it. If you have thrown raisins on top, avoid it.

5- Leftover chocolate cake, chocolate pie, and even chocolate chip cookies can be toxic. All toxins are only poisonous if given in excess, but you are best off to just avoid them.

*Why Have I Been Told to Never Feed My Dog Leftovers?
There is an advantage to feeding your dog whatever leftovers you have on the table: It is convenient! Imagine how easy it would be to just take a few leftovers and dump them in his bowl.

None of the safe items on my list are going to hurt your dog, but if you do make a habit of feeding your dog all types of table scraps, there are several possible disadvantages, so you need to be ready to deal with them.

1- His GI tract may be upset from frequent diet changes, leading to diarrhea and vomiting. Some dogs have a "cast iron stomach" and have no problem with frequent changes.

2- Not just any leftovers can be given. Some things that you may eat are toxic to your dog.

3- If your dog is not able to handle the rich leftovers, he may also have problems with conditions like pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas aggravated by high-fat meals.

4- Leftovers may be higher in fats than a home-cooked diet and can lead to obesity. This is why you need to feed him in moderation.

Those old-time dog owners out there argue, “But when I was a kid, dogs just got leftovers, and they were fine.” Okay. The ole timer probably did not worry if the dog was having the squirts since it was in the backyard and not in the family's living room. The ole timer was also not as concerned about feeding a dog toxic foods like onions. Dogs died young back then from diseases like distemper. Maybe the old timer didn’t even notice if Brownie passed on a little younger than the average of seven years.

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Will My Dog Need Supplements?
Some supplements, given in adequate amounts, will improve your dog's health. Commercial dog foods that are labeled with "extra fish oil" or "extra glucosamine" do not have enough to meet your dog's needs. If you can afford to give them, no matter what kind of diet your dog is on, he should also be getting:

1- Fish oil: It has beneficial effects for the coat, GI tract, and the immune system. Research has shown that the fish oil derived from cold-water fish (like Alaskan salmon) contain more of the omega 3 acids that are beneficial to your dog.

2- Yogurt (live): This restores the normal intestinal flora and controls loose stools. This is very helpful if a dog has been on antibiotics or has had diarrhea for any reason.

3- Milk: It treats constipation in lactose-intolerant dogs. A teaspoon of powdered milk sprinkled over your dog's scraps will not cause loose stools in most dogs and can be used to add protein and calcium to the diet.

4- Brewers yeast: Vitamin B supplement that can help control fleas and aid in the functioning of the nervous system.

5- Egg shells: A dog needs calcium every day, and crushed egg shells are an easy and bioavailable method to supply her needs.

6- Apple Cider Vinegar: This has numerous potential benefits. The organic ACV that contains the "mother" is more likely to help your dog. It should be added to your dog's water every day.

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Most Common Dog Foods Are Jam-packed With Dangerous Ingredients

comparisonsmaster.com/articles/most-common-dog-foods-are-jam-packed-with-dangerous-ingredients?dc=mfb&subid4=mg-us-a-cmp-dogfooen-68769-6090-1_lc_pic_ld&fbclid=IwAR3J_0mch5-5-G4Ft6e6MKYj9YjUDUzrZc2CcUuU42YXVNYZ0NSKFyh18jU

Your dog is your best friend and basically a member of your family. Just like you look out for the health and welfare of your children, you want to keep your four legged friend healthy and happy. A major component of your dog’s health is his or hers diet.

There is a huge variety of dog foods on the market to choose from. The upsetting truth is that over half of all the common dog foods available in stores are not really healthy for your dog. Better quality dog food is usually sold by vets and online pet food companies, but they are more expensive than the store bought kind.

Wherever you buy your dog food from, it should have an approval mark on its label from the “AAFCO”. In addition, you should always read the ingredient label to see what is actually in the food. The following is a list of ingredients that should NOT be in the food you feed your precious pet.

Artificial Preservatives and Food Coloring
The most common artificial preservatives found in dog food are BHA, BHT and Ethoxyquin. All three are chemicals that can cause serious health problems for your dog after consuming them over time. As a matter of fact, ethoxyquin, which is used as a fat preservative, is also an ingredient in some pesticides.

Artificial food colorings have been shown to be harmful to both humans and animals. Dog food is only colored to make it more appealing to you – your dog does not care and does not need it.

Meat "Meal"
Any ingredient labeled “meal” (such as chicken meal or beef meal) is actually rendered meat. Rendered meat is leftover bits and scraps of animal meat, which is highly heated to remove the fat. The source of this ‘meat’ is often from discarded scraps and even from diseased animals.

Added Sweeteners
Dogs do not need nor even want to eat sweetened food. Often dog food companies add sweeteners to improve the texture of the food. Also, added sweeteners, especially corn syrup, can contribute to causing or worsening diabetes.

Melamine
This is a proven toxic ingredient and should definitely not be in your dog’s food. It used to be commonly used to artificially increase the ‘protein’ content in the food.

Carrageenan
Carrageenan is a common thickening agent found in both human and dog food. However, this ingredient can sometimes degrade into “poligeenan” – which can be harmful to dogs. Therefore, it’s best to avoid carrageenan in the first place.

Sodium Hexametaphosphate
Sodium Hexametaphosphate is a chemical that helps fight tartar build-up on your dog’s teeth. However, it can be harmful if too much of it is ingested. While convenient, it’s a better idea to get your dog’s teeth brushed periodically by your vet.

Propylene Glycol
Used as food softener, it is generally considered to be safe. But, there are more natural ways to soften food and therefore this is not a desirable ingredient to be in your dog food.

MSG
Monosodium Glutamate is used in both human and dog food as a flavor enhancer. It is often shunned by humans and you should also not have your dog eat it. The presence of MSG in the dog food often indicates a lower quality and less tasty recipe.

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Overweight dogs respond well to high-protein, high-fiber diet, study finds

www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/01/220124115040.htm

Source: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau

A study of overweight dogs fed a reduced calorie, high-protein, high-fiber diet for 24 weeks found that the dogs' body composition and inflammatory markers changed over time in ways that parallel the positive changes seen in humans on similar diets. The dogs achieved a healthier weight without losing too much muscle mass, and their serum triglycerides, insulin and inflammatory markers all decreased with weight loss.

A study of overweight dogs fed a reduced calorie, high-protein, high-fiber diet for 24 weeks found that the dogs' body composition and inflammatory markers changed over time in ways that parallel the positive changes seen in humans on similar diets. The dogs achieved a healthier weight without losing too much muscle mass, and their serum triglycerides, insulin and inflammatory markers all decreased with weight loss.

All such changes are beneficial, said University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign animal sciences professor Kelly Swanson, who led the new research.

Previous studies have shown that overweight and obesity lead to a shorter lifespan and a lower quality of life -- in dogs and humans, Swanson said.

"Some of the problems we see in humans with obesity also occur in pet dogs," he said. "There's added stress on the joints, there's an intolerance to exercise and heat; there's also glucose intolerance, insulin resistance. And if you look at pet insurance claims, obesity is a big factor there."

Reported in the Journal of Animal Science, the study is unusual in that it also measured changes in the dogs' fecal microbiota over the course of losing weight, Swanson said.

Even though there are similarities in dog and human metabolism and digestive processes, dogs and humans differ in the species of microbes that inhabit the gut, he said. These microbes perform similar functions, however. They metabolize proteins, carbohydrates and other molecules that are derived from food but escape digestion by the host; and they break down fiber to produce short-chain fatty acids that are important in regulating glucose and appetite, reducing inflammation, bolstering the immune system and providing energy to cells in the colon.

Some of the microbial changes observed in the dogs were difficult to interpret, Swanson said, but a reduction in fecal ammonia -- probably the result of eating less protein on the calorie-restricted diet -- was likely beneficial.

"High concentrations of ammonia are toxic," he said.

Dogs that lost weight also had increases in the proportion of bacteria of the genus Allobaculum. Higher Allobaculum populations correlated with an increase in fecal butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid that is a byproduct of the fermentation of dietary fiber. Previous studies have shown that butyrate has anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic effects in the gut.

Total short-chain fatty acid concentrations did not change over time, however. This may reflect the fact that most of these organic acids are absorbed and not excreted, the researchers report.

Most studies of gut microbiota focus on humans, so the new research offers insight into the similarities and differences between dogs and humans, and how they respond to dietary changes and weight loss. More research will be needed to clarify the findings, Swanson said.

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Another idea I have been toying with, instead of advertised dog foods, two big cans of soup ( for humans ) in one big doggie dish. Example, one big can of chunky beef and vegetables mixed with one big can of New England clam chowder. Different soups at each feeding. I just might do this anyway along with the "always available dry food" in the automatic feeder. Big powerful dogs need big powerful meals.

I plan anyway to have two leftover dishes ( always large pots or bowls ) one for dry leftovers and one for wet leftovers. Soup can go into the wet food dish when there are no leftovers.

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Overweight dogs respond well to high-protein, high-fiber diet, study finds

www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/01/220124115040.htm
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A study of overweight dogs fed a reduced calorie, high-protein, high-fiber diet for 24 weeks found that the dogs' body composition and inflammatory markers changed over time in ways that parallel the positive changes seen in humans on similar diets. The dogs achieved a healthier weight without losing too much muscle mass, and their serum triglycerides, insulin and inflammatory markers all decreased with weight loss.

A study of overweight dogs fed a reduced calorie, high-protein, high-fiber diet for 24 weeks found that the dogs' body composition and inflammatory markers changed over time in ways that parallel the positive changes seen in humans on similar diets. The dogs achieved a healthier weight without losing too much muscle mass, and their serum triglycerides, insulin and inflammatory markers all decreased with weight loss.

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15 Healthy Human Foods that are Also Beneficial to Dogs

1- Carrots.
2- Eggs.
3- Green beans.
4- Salmon.
5- Yogurt.
6- Chicken.
7- Pumpkin.
8- Peanut Butter.
9- Coconut.
10- Oatmeal.
11- Certain Berries.
12- Pineapple.
13- Green Peas.
14- Sweet potatoes and Potatoes.
15- Rice.

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Continued:

Dogs are mans’ best friend. They are loyal, loving and provide us with endless amounts of entertaining stories. While your dog may be only a part of your life, to them you are everything. You are their entire world. It is, therefore, of the utmost importance to ensure the health and safety of your furry friend.

The pet food supermarket aisle is brimming with numerous brands of dog food, each claiming to be the healthiest option for your pooch. This may very well be the case, but there is a growing number of people who are opting out of feeding their dogs pellets.

These pellets are highly processed and could be the cause of obesity and cancer in your dog. Dog food is legally allowed to have something called 4-D meat in it. This is meat which has been taken from dead, diseased or even disabled animals. Added to this questionable meat is corn, which may be highly contaminated with pesticides, and grain swept up from the factory floor. Obviously, this is not the main component in all dog food brands and the general rule of thumb is, cheaper products generally utilize cheaper ingredients.

Products bought from your local vet may live up to their nutritional promise, but is it not safer to err on the side of caution? The option available to dog owners is none other than, human food. Here is a list of human food that will prove delicious and nutritious for your doggo.

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Continued:

1. Carrots
Munching on a carrot is one of the healthiest snacks for a human. The same is true for dogs. These are some of the health benefits which carrots offer your canine pet. Dental health may never have crossed your mind, but keeping your dog’s mouth and teeth clean is very important. Some owners have even managed to get into the routine of brushing their dog’s teeth. If you are not of this group, then give them a carrot.

Chewing on the veggie will mechanically remove plaque from their teeth. Carrots prevent runny stool. The high fiber content of carrots will help bulk-up your dog’s stool, thus making messy and runny stool a thing of the past. Eyesight is improved due to the beta-carotene in carrots. Beta-carotene is a precursor to vitamin A, which is known to improve eyesight in humans and dogs alike. Vitamin A is an essential vitamin for dogs and is always included in commercial dog food.

If you are preparing your dog’s food at home, you need to make sure this is included in their diet. Luckily, carrots are loaded with this vitamin. In the correct amount, vitamin A boosts the immune system and improves skin and coat health. It should be noted, however, that vitamin A in large quantities can be toxic. Consult your vet on the correct dosage of vitamin A, before tossing a bag of carrots your dog’s way. Carrots are low in fat and calories.

If your furry child in on the podgy side, this veggie provides a snack which is low in both fat and calories. Carrots are not easily digested by dogs. In order to make the most of carrots nutritional content, slightly boil them first.

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2. Eggs
In previous years eggs have been vilified due to their high cholesterol content. This myth has been recently dispelled, as the cholesterol in eggs is actually good cholesterol. With this new-found knowledge, it’s a good idea to let your pooch join you for breakfast this morning. Benefits of eggs include the following.

Amino acids are abundant in eggs. An egg contains everything needed for a chick to grow and thrive. This includes amino acids which are essential for protein production. This helps build muscle, strengthen hair and aids in tissue repair. They are also a good source of Calcium. Everyone knows that calcium is essential for strong bones and teeth.

By grinding up the eggshells and feeding them to your dog, you will be ensuring the health of your doggie’s teeth and bones. Chemicals and colorants can be a concern here, so it is suggested that only organic eggs are bought or alternatively, boiling the egg shells first should sterilize them. Biotin is present in eggs. This vitamin aids in cellular growth and fatty acid metabolism. Eggs yolks are high in Biotin and will produce healthy skin and a soft luxurious coat in dogs.

Eggs can be highly beneficial to your dog’s health, but they should not be eaten excessively. Raw egg whites may inhibit digestion and cause a biotin deficiency. This could be avoided by cooking the eggs first, but this could also decrease their overall nutritional value. In order to avoid any digestive upsets, stick to feeding your pooch only several eggs a week. These should be a combination of cooked and raw. Eggs can prove to be a wonderfully healthy addition to your dog’s life, but they should be just that, an addition. Supplement your dog’s meals with eggs, do not make it their staple.

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3. Green beans
These veggies are perfect for dogs who are overweight and are in need of a healthy snack. They can be prepared in any way, but they must be served alone. Green beans that have added salt, spices, onions, garlic, or oil should not be given to your dog. It is best to keep it simple and green to ensure the health and safety of your pet. Green beans are loaded with vitamins and minerals, providing the following benefits.

Vitamin A, K, and C are all present in green beans. The benefits of Vitamin A have already been mentioned, but that is not the only vitamin which green beans offer. Vitamin K is vital for the blood clotting process. It will promote a healthy blood composition in dogs. Vitamin C aids in immune system support, thus ensuring a dog’s immunity. Iron is readily available in store-bought dog food and is essential for blood health. Iron combines with copper and protein to form red blood cells. These are responsible for transporting oxygen in the blood. While iron is found in meats, fish, and liver it is also found in green beans.

Magnesium is involved in basically any movement your dog performs. This includes walking, breathing and even the beating of their heart. Processes which involve sodium, potassium, and calcium even require magnesium. The high content of this mineral in green beans makes them a perfect food in preventing a magnesium deficiency.

Green beans are a veritable cornucopia of essential vitamins and minerals. These beans will provide a healthy, low-fat alternative to dog biscuits. They can constitute up to 50% of your dog’s diet, but it is recommended to introduce the vegetable in small amounts then increase the portions as needed.

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4. Salmon
While this may seem like an unnecessarily expensive food to give your dog, it is only recommended at most twice a week. It should never be fed to your dog uncooked and should be served completely unseasoned. If salmon proves to be too pricey or hard to come by, it is not the only beneficial fish. Cold-water fish such as tuna or herring are both acceptable, as well as small amount of fish oil. Including these fishy delights in your dog’s diet will provide the following essential elements.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Even people load themselves up on this oil, so it is very easy to see how it could be beneficial to your dog. This fatty acid will boost their immune system, reduce inflammation and keep their coat healthy and shiny. Salmon is a good source of protein. Due to the low-fat but high protein content of salmon, it is a very suitable protein source for dieting pooches. It is also a good substitute protein for dogs who may be allergic to other meats, such as chicken.

Salmon is generally included in high-end dog food product, thus reinforcing its super-food status. It can work wonders on your dog’s health, but intake should be strictly monitored. Dogs should only be given salmon in small portions and the quality of the fish ought to be checked beforehand. Poor quality salmon may contain a parasite which causes salmon poisoning disease. This disease is fatal and should be prevented at all costs.

Canned salmon is a suitable treat for the doggies but there must be absolutely no bones in it and only salmon canned in water is acceptable. If you are thinking of serving it to your dog fresh, ensure that there is no seasoning present.

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5. Yogurt
This dairy product is a perfect treat for dogs for all seasons. The frozen variety could keep the pooches cool in summer, while normal yogurt can keep them regular and healthy. This treat is packed with calcium, just like milk. Yogurt is high in calcium and will promote teeth and bone health in your furry family member. Probiotics is a strain of good bacteria that are naturally occurring in mammal’s stomachs.

They aid in the digestion of food, fight off infections and are essential in vitamin and mineral production and utilization. Dogs and people lacking in probiotics tend to fall ill more than most and are likely to suffer from recurring bouts of diarrhea. Yogurt is loaded with probiotics. It is a natural treatment for patients who have either damaged or decreased amounts of this bacteria.

If your dog is suffering from diarrhea or has been unusually sick lately, then it may be time to introduce yogurt into their diet. Small dogs can be given 1 to 2 teaspoons, while medium dogs can have 1 to 2 tablespoons and big dogs up to 4 tablespoons. This can be given to your dog directly or can even be stirred into their normal food. While yogurt can be incredibly beneficial to your dog, not all varieties are suitable.

Any yogurt that has artificial sweeteners or added sugar, should definitely be avoided. It is best to stick with a reputable brand of plain yogurt. One should also be sure that the yogurt they are purchasing contains active live cultures. Yogurts that do not have this are almost useless. Cottage cheese is also suitable, but if it seems like your dog has difficulties digesting dairy then both should be avoided.

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6. Chicken
For those pet owners who are unable to feed their dogs fish, chicken is a perfectly healthy option. As with other human food which can be served to dogs, chicken should be served completely unseasoned. It is essential that there are no bones or chicken fat served. Cooked chicken bones are a choking hazard as they can break up and bock or even tear the windpipe or digestive tract. Chicken prepared in the correct way can offer the following health benefits.

Chicken is a source of lean protein which will provide your dog with ample amounts of energy and sustenance. Omega 6 Fatty Acids, like omega 3, will ensure that your pooch has a healthy coat. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, which are essential for all bodily functions. Specifically, chicken contains the amino acid glucosamine which is known to promote healthy bones.

Various Vitamin B’s are also found in chicken. Commercial dog food claims to contain vitamin B, but they do not disclose how fragile the source is. If these foods are left in the sun or are allowed to get too hot, the various Vitamin B’s are all but destroyed. This is not the case with chicken and as these vitamins aid in metabolism, maintain the nervous system and much more. Chicken is an invaluable source of many of the Vitamin B’s. Antioxidants boost your pest immune system, thus helping them fight off infections.

Chicken can be given to your dog as an additive to their regular food or even as a temporary replacement. It should not be served raw as there is a small risk of salmonella. A readily available chicken meal is chicken which has had the moisture in it reduced, therefore upping the protein content.

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7. Pumpkin
Like salmon, pumpkin is a superfood. It boasts an ample number of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. These aid in the health of the urinary tract. Pumpkin seeds and skins both contain certain oils. These oils will help maintain the health of your dog’s urinary tract. Doggos who suffer from incontinence regarding urination could definitely use some pumpkin in their diet. Pumpkin also regulates digestion. This is as a result of a large amount of fiber in pumpkin. Fibre regulates digestion and adds bulk to stool, therefore reducing the incidents of diarrhea in your dog.

It even aids in weight loss. Pumpkin delivers all these nutrients but does not come with the added calories. By replacing some of your dog’s regular food with pumpkin, you could help your dog shed some of those unhealthy and bothersome pounds. It is known to be a natural deworming agent. Pumpkin seeds have an amino acid called cucurbatin. This has been seen to effectively rid both humans and dogs of certain parasites that thrive in the digestive tract.

Literally, the entire pumpkin can be given to your dog. The seeds can be ground up and sprinkled over their food and the rest can simply be cooked and fed to them directly. Pumpkin not only can improve your dog’s health, but it is also very tasty.

It should not be hard to convince your pooch to eat this, without the need for any added spices or oils. Small dogs can be fed 1 to 2 teaspoons a day, it is 1 to 2 tablespoons for medium dogs and up to 5 tablespoons for large dogs. For every 10 pounds that your dog weighs, it can be given a quarter of a teaspoon of ground pumpkin seeds in their food on a daily basis.

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8. Peanut Butter
This tasty spread should not only be included in your diet, but also in your dogs. If a healthy and organic product is bought it could prove to be an incredible new addition to your dog’s meals. Peanut butter contains a whole host of vitamins.

Vitamin E boosts the immune system, ensuring that your dog does not get sick. Vitamin B, is already known to be essential for a healthy coat and skin. The specific proteins and fats found in peanut butter are desirable because they do not negatively impact your canines heart. This treat will give them the nutrients needed for energy and growth, without the added unhealthy fats which accompany other protein sources.

Niacin is the name of a vitamin which forms part of the Vitamin B family. This vitamin family as a whole contributes to skin and coat health. In particular, this vitamin also promotes proper circulation. Giving your dog a tablespoon of peanut butter every now and again can be very beneficial, but there are a few things that need to be considered. Firstly, too much peanut butter can not only contribute to obesity, but it could lead to pancreatitis.

If you are unsure how much peanut butter to give your dog, your first call of port should be your vet. Another option is to simply follow the 10% rule. Here you limit your dog’s treats to only 10% of the total amount of food they eat. Peanut butter brands that are suitable for dogs are ones that have no sugar, no sodium, are low in fats and have absolutely no Xylitol. This replacement for sugar may not impact people much, but it is incredibly dangerous to dogs.

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9. Coconut
These days coconut and its various extracts are all the rage. People are cooking with it, eating it and even cleaning their teeth with it. This food may not traditionally be a western staple, but it sure has been wholeheartedly accepted as one now. While it is the biggest trend amongst human folk, it should be noted that it can offer the canine species with some spectacular benefits too.

Lauric acid is an easily digestible fatty acid that is found in large quantities in coconut meat itself. Because the whole molecule can be absorbed and does not need to be broken down, it is a very efficient source of energy. Lauric acid can also fight infections and viruses. These include influenza, Giardia, and ringworms, to name but a few. Lastly, this acid is an anti-inflammatory. Therefore, it can help speed up the healing process and can even relieve some of the discomforts of dogs who suffer from arthritis.

Anti-oxidants found in the coconut’s meat and oil which will boost your dog’s immune system. Oils present in coconuts can either be ingested or rubbed onto your dog’s skin, the results are basically the same. Coconut oil will improve the overall health of your dog’s skin and will improve the texture and quality of his fur coat.

Coconut is completely non-toxic to dogs. The meat or oils can be added to their food or served as a separate treat. It will improve their health and even the water will aid in hydration, as it has high levels of electrolytes. For every 10 pounds that your dog weighs, it is allowed 1 tablespoon of coconut oil daily.

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10. Oatmeal
This cereal is actually abundant in store-bought dog food. It is, therefore, a healthy option for all dogs, even ones that are sensitive to grain, and can be very easily prepared at home. Oatmeal can be beneficial in the following ways.

It is a good source of carbohydrates. Not only is oatmeal not a highly processed carbohydrate but it is not robust. Certain dogs can be quite sensitive to other grains due too their high gluten content, this is not the case here. Oats serve as a perfect substitute for dogs who otherwise cannot eat other grains. Linoleic acid is an Omega 6 fatty acid found in coconuts and, as mentioned previously, is key in the maintenance of healthy skin.

It has already been clarified that fiber aids in the regulation of your pup’s digestive processes, but the soluble fiber in oatmeal has other beneficial qualities. This being that soluble fiber is able to regulate the level of glucose in your dog’s blood. This is a vital step in preventing diabetes.

Pantothenic acid is another type of vitamin B which may prove essential for dogs with a nervous disposition. Commonly known as vitamin B5, it is useful in the metabolism of vitamins and is vital in the processes which convert protein, carbohydrates, and fats into energy. It can also help to decreases the incidents of anxiety and depression in dogs.

Oatmeal should be prepared and served in the simplest way possible. There should be no added sugar, butter or artificial sweeteners. Oats can act as a healthy addition to your dog’s diet, but it should not replace it. You can either add a spoonful to your dog’s food or serve them a cup for breakfast once a week.