What do I feed my dog?
I often get asked about what I feed my dog. I see many posts about people struggling to get their dogs to eat. I would ask “What are you currently feeding them?”, “What kind of bowl are you using?”, “Are you feeding them from the table while you’re eating?”, “Are you giving them any people food?”, “What does their poop look like, runny or formed?”
I ask these questions because I have made many of these mistakes to try and get Jasmine to eat.
Here is what I have found;
Let’s talk BOWLS! Jasmine doesn’t like a deep bowl. I found the COOLEST 21 oz bowl works best for her meals which is why it’s part of my Puppy Packages for new owners.
Let’s talk POOP! If their poop is not formed they probably have a digestive issue. If they have a belly ache they don’t want to eat more that gives them the same. Find the cause of the digestive issue. Jasmine gets CANINE COMPLETE daily. Although the puppy and dog food I use has enough nutrients, I think adding a teaspoon a day helps with her gut health.
If they develop loose runny stool, a particularly foul-smelling stool, blood within the stool, or yellow, virulent mix within the stool – that persist for more than two days, on the third day collect a stool sample and bring to the vet for analysis.
If the stool was negative for parasites you could try giving them a teaspoon of Organic Pumpkin or Sweet Potato in their morning meal.
Let’s talk KIBBLE! We selected Zignature brand for Jasmine and her puppies as it has limited ingredients, is reasonable priced and is readily available from Amazon and Chewy with free delivery. It also has several protein choices (pork, salmon, kangaroo, white fish, lamb, duck, venison, turkey, catfish, goat, trout & salmon, multi-protein). We stick with Pork as it’s easily digestible and Jasmine likes it. She also liked the Puppy Multi-Protein formula when she needed the additional nutrients for pregnancy and lactation.
Let’s talk BONES! We don’t give Jasmine “Milk Bones” she has many Yak Monster bones she loves to hide and pull out for the chewing pleasure. She also chews on Antler bones. Raw hides cause digestive issues and I would not recommend. I also stay away from nyla-bones or anything non-editable that they could not digest or would get stuck in their digestive track to cause an emergency..
Let’s talk RAW FOOD. Feeding dogs a raw food diet can offer potential benefits like improved digestion, cleaner teeth, and enhanced coat health, while also potentially reducing allergies and improving overall vitality.
Raw food provided improved digestion and nutrient absorption:
Easier Digestion:
Raw food is easier for dogs to digest, as it contains enzymes that are naturally present in raw ingredients.
Better Nutrient Absorption:
Dogs can absorb more nutrients from raw food, leading to better overall health and vitality.
Less Waste:
Improved digestion can result in smaller, less smelly stools, indicating better nutrient utilization.
Jasmine gets 5 oz of raw food daily. We buy raw ingredients, make and freeze in silicone cupcakes which makes it convenient to pull out of the freezer and thaw for the next days meals. I know exactly what’s in what she is eating.
If making your own dog food is not for you then I would recommend “OC Raw” or “Stella and Chewy” brands.
I chose to do some kibble with the raw to make sure Jasmine is getting proper nutrients all around.
Believe me food was a struggle for about six months with Jasmine. A good friend, who is also a breeder, gave me great advice to add raw to her diet. I never looked back.
If you would like my dog food or dog ice cream recipes send me a message using my contact form and I’ll send them to you.
Let’s talk treats! Jasmine gets dehydrated chicken. It’s a high quality treat. I buy on Amazon or Chewy. Only ingredient is chicken. Doodles can be allergic to chicken. Jasmine is not. Watch for signs of excessive itching, runny eyes, or ear issues as they are the first signs of an allergic reaction.
Let’s talk eggs! Jasmine does get hard boiled and/or over well egg. Why? Because they are good for humans and dogs. She loves them and I can’t crack one without her running to the kitchen.
Eggs contain all essential amino acids, making them a complete protein. This means that eggs contain amino acids that the body can't make on its own.
Eggs contain all 10 essential amino acids in abundance.
The protein in eggs is high quality, and is found in both the egg white and the egg yolk.
Eggs are considered to have the best amino acid profile of any food, including meat, milk, and soy products.
Eggs are rich in phosphorus, calcium, and potassium.
Eggs contain all essential trace elements, including copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, selenium, and zinc.
Eggs contain small amounts of every vitamin and mineral except vitamin C.
A large egg contains around 6–7 grams of protein.
Can I feed my puppies eggs? Sure, puppies can eat eggs as long as they’re cooked and they’re only given occasionally. Veterinarians recommend that young pups’ diets be made up of at least 90% puppy food and no more than 10% of “safe” human snacks.
Let’s talk milk! We give Jasmine goat milk occasionally. Goat milk is very good for digestion. When given it’s only the size of an ice cube. Buy frozen, thaw, fill ice cube trays and freeze, thaw and give as treat in morning.
Let’s talk Toxins!
Do you know what is toxic to your dog that is not toxic to humans? These should never be ingested by your dog.Alcohol
Raisins, Grapes, Cherries
Chocolate and Caffeine
Onion, Garlic and Chives
No you can’t feed your dog Chic-Fila Chicken Nuggets. Keep a supply of dehydrated chicken in your car so when you have a treat, they get one too
Cooked Bones
Yeast Dough
Nuts
Xylitol
Avocado
Mushrooms
Salty Snacks
Tea
Milk - some dogs are lactose intolerant
Citrus
Corn on the cob
Tomato - the green part of the plant is toxic to dogs
Rhubard
Apricot
Star Fruit
Just remember not to make more than one change in diet at a time so you know what triggers the reaction if there was one.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this website/blog is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or medical advice. You should consult with a qualified professional for advice tailored to your specific situation.
