What to Feed My Dog

Domesticated dogs are largely carnivores but will also eat plant-based foods. Wild dogs eat a variety of food which comprise mainly of prey animals, consisting of raw meat, bones, organs and a small amount of the vegetable matter contained in the gut of their prey.

Basic dog feeding guide

The following information is general advice, but as each dog is an individual, seek veterinary advice, particularly if your dog has any special dietary needs or has a reaction to a standard diet.

The basis of your dog’s diet should be a high quality balanced premium commercial dog food that is appropriate for their life stage (puppy, adolescent, adult, pregnant, senior) and health status. Or even better, human grade dog food.

The amount of food required will depend on your dog’s size, breed, age and level of exercise, but take care not to overfeed or underfeed. Your vet will be able to weigh your dog, assess your dog’s body condition score and provide advice. There is a great dog food calculator here.

There is a reason that high quality kibble and dog foods are appropriate for dog, and that is because they have the appropriate omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids for skin and coat, proteins with glucosamine and chondroitin for bone and joint health, and grain free carbs with prebiotics and live probiotics for optimum digestion. From my experience, choosing grain free has stopped the smelly farts for all my dogs, making my house a lot more pleasant.

For those that have picky eaters, a variety of dog food toppers can provide an alternative and quick solution.

To avoid bloat, which can be fatal, adult dogs should be fed at least twice a day and should not be exercised immediately before or after eating. This applies particularly to deep-chested dogs such as Boxers and German Shepherds.

Fresh drinking water must be available at all times but do not offer your dog milk as this can cause gastrointestinal upsets.

Of course, don’t forget those treats. Remember they are like sweet treats so not to be given as a meal, but to be used in training and when on walks.

Feeding bones

Bones and raw meat are not recommended as they can break teeth and cause internal blockages, raw bones also carry bacteria that can make both animals and humans ill. If you do choose to offer bones to your pet, they should always be raw and introduced gradually.

The benefits of feeding dog bones:

  • Bones are a source of dietary nutrients such as protein, calcium, and phosphorus.

  • There is evidence that chewing bones can remove tartar from the crown/top of a dog’s teeth. However, this action does not remove tartar present below the gumline or prevent plaque from building up and causing dental disease.

  • The chewing activity can provide mental stimulation

The risks of feeding dog bones:

  • Due to bone’s hard density, chewing on them can result in broken and worn teeth. Sharp ends can also cause wounds to the inside of the mouth and throat. It is recommended that dogs be watched if bones are fed. Never offer cooked bones.

  • If large portions of bone are swallowed, they can get stuck in the dog’s gastrointestinal tract. This often results in distress for the pet and family and can require expensive life-saving surgery. Consult a veterinarian promptly if your dog is vomiting, refusing food, showing abdominal pain, or not passing faeces, and alert them that this started after your dog ate a bone.

  • Bones, or any raw meat, are likely to be contaminated with bacteria, no matter how well prepared and packaged. Some, but not all, microbes can be killed by freezing for at least two days. The types of bacteria and parasites found in meat can cause disease in humans, as well as animals. If feeding any raw meat including bones, it is important to thoroughly clean hands and any surfaces the meat has touched; bag and bin dog waste that follows a raw or bone meal and wash your hands with soap after its disposal.

  • Bones alone may not provide an adequate balance of nutrients so, if you choose to feed them, they should only form a small part of your pet’s diet. The diet should be comprised of a high-quality nutritionally complete food.

  • Bones often have a lot of fat. A high fat diet can result in inflammation of the pancreas, which can be very painful and potentially very serious. Excess fat may also cause diarrhoea and may contribute to weight gain. To help safeguard against these problems, remove as much fat as possible from the bone(s) before feeding.

  • Some dogs can highly value bones and feel a need to guard them. Resource guarding is a normal dog behaviour; however, concern arises if a dog displays signs of aggression towards anyone who gets close to them whilst they possess a bone. Dogs who growl or snap when feeling threatened tend to show high levels of fearfulness throughout their daily life, and it is not recommended to feed them bones.

Dogs have evolved significantly from their wolf ancestors, including developing an ability to digest starch and fat, plus living longer and healthier lives. Feeding them bones is not necessary given the range of quality nutritionally balanced diets available. Dental chews are a good alternative if you wish to provide your pet with entertainment that assists with teeth cleaning.

Other foods

Dogs may be offered fish (such as tinned fish – sardines, tuna or salmon) as an occasional treat, but fish should not be fed constantly. Take care to avoid fish bones and choose fish canned in spring water rather than oil or brine.

Dogs may also be offered a small amount of cooked vegetables such as pumpkin or carrots. A small amount of plain cooked pasta or rice may also be offered.

Cooked meat, such as boiled chicken or lamb, may also be offered, but ensure there are no cooked bones and no onions/onion sauces or other toxic substances present (see below). As mentioned above, raw meat and bones carry bacteria that can make both animals and humans ill and so are not recommended. However, if you do decide to feed your dog any raw meat or raw bones, it is recommended that you choose only human-grade raw meat and bones. You should avoid raw meat products marketed as pet food (pet meat/pet mince/pet rolls and bone products), sausages, sausage meat and cooked manufactured meats as they can contain sulphite preservatives. There have been many pet food safety incidents linked to sulphite preservative-induced thiamine (Vitamin B1) deficiency, which can be fatal. You should make sure your dog has access to grass (avoid chemically treated grass and toxic plants). Dogs will sometimes eat grass, which may provide a source of vegetable matter and micronutrients.

Bearing in mind that we are wanting our best friends to have high quality food with appropriate nutrition for your dog breed and life stage, having a regular dog food delivery service can make life easy.

Toxic foods

Do not ever feed the following substances as they are toxic to dogs (note this is not a complete list):

  • Alcohol

  • Onions or onion powder

  • Garlic

  • Chocolate

  • Coffee or caffeine products

  • Mouldy or spoiled foods or compost

  • Avocado

  • Bread dough or yeast dough

  • Grapes, raisins, currants or sultanas (including in Christmas cakes), etc.

  • Nuts (including macadamia nuts)

  • Fruit stones or ‘pits’ (e.g. mango seeds, apricot stones, avocado stones) and fruit seeds

  • Mushrooms

  • Never feed the following as these can be dangerous for dogs: corncobs, green unripe tomatoes, cooked bones, small pieces of raw bone, fatty trimmings/fatty foods, salt and roughly-cut vegetables.

Please ensure your pet dog doesn’t have access to string wrappings around rolled roasts or absorbent pads found under meat when wrapped on trays.