by Micky Ellenbecker, Purchasing Assistant
It would be an understatement to say what we choose to feed our dogs is a very loaded topic. Some folks are diehard supporters of a raw diet; some folks make homemade meals for their dogs; some feed their dogs vegan diets; some feed grain-free; and some find it very scary to stray away from the industry standard kibble. I have personally taken the perspective that if highly processed food isn’t good for me, it’s likely not good for my dog. My overall health would eventually start to suffer if all I ever ate was a cereal that was fortified with every vitamin and mineral I needed. Yes, I would have all the necessary vitamins and minerals, but what about the enzymes, beneficial microbes, and antioxidants of living foods? I think it’s fair to say that our dogs' long-term health will start to suffer if they are constantly eating highly processed fortified foods.
I’m not a veterinarian, and I’m certainly no expert on pet nutrition, but what I’m coming to find is that the research is very limited, and there aren’t many people that actually are experts on pet nutrition. There are even varying opinions on whether or not dogs are true carnivores or omnivores. Since dogs are descendants of wolves, some argue they are carnivores and have no carbohydrate needs. Others argue their domestication led to their ability to produce small amounts of amylase, the enzyme that allows digestion of carbohydrates, which in turn differentiates them from wolves and makes them omnivores.
Many veterinarians are very wary of pet owners straying away from kibble, mainly because they are worried about the potential vitamin and mineral deficiencies that could lead to other serious health conditions if homemade diets are not property formulated. This is definitely something to take into strong consideration when changing your dog's diet, especially if you plan to switch from a balanced and formulated kibble altogether. You’ll want to find reputable sources for dog food recipes to ensure proper nutrition. However, if you want to dip your toes in the waters of fresh food for dogs, a good practice is to start with “meal-toppers” that replace about 10% of kibble. This way you can feel confident that your pet’s essential nutritional needs are being met, but also feel good about getting some fresh food into their diet and not be overwhelmed by having to cook intricate meals for your dog as well.
Eggs, Kefir, & Fresh Meats
Kibble often tends to be much higher in carbohydrates than what a dog needs. They often range from 30-50% carbohydrates, when 10-20% is more appropriate. In which case it’s good practice to include a protein in your meal-toppers.
Eggs are one food at the top of my list. They are an easy and affordable meal topper; they contain 10 of the 20 essential amino acids dogs need and are a good source of protein and fat. Soft boiled or poached eggs maximize the protein bioavailability at 90%, compared to only 50% of raw eggs. Taking that extra step of gently cooking the egg will make a difference in the nutritional value. I like to buy duck eggs occasionally as well just to mix up the protein source.
Plain kefir is also an excellent option, as it’s a good source of protein and fat, it adds more moisture to their diet, it’s chock full of beneficial probiotics, and again, it’s an easy option for us pet owners. Just like us humans, dogs also have a gut microbiome and can benefit from probiotic foods, which make nutrients more bioavailable in those foods.
Fresh meats, like beef, chicken, pork, lamb, and bison, are especially great meal-toppers for our dogs because the protein sources in dog kibble are often from low-grade sources and end up not being especially digestible after all the processing they’ve gone through. Fresh, “human-grade” meats usually land somewhere between 80-90% digestible, where if compared to kibble, the food usually results in 60-70% digestibility due to the high processing. While 60-70% still sounds like it’s decently high, it’s not actually considered sufficient, especially when you take into account that most kibble is only 25-30% protein to begin with.
Fruits & Vegetables
If you follow the rule of thumb that 10-20% of carbohydrates is an appropriate amount for dogs, it seems like there isn’t a lot of room for fruits and vegetables. However, the fresh fruits and veggies provide living foods that are dense in enzymes, antioxidants, and moisture that are sorely lacking in dry kibble.
When feeding fruit, it’s best to generally choose ones that have a low glycemic index, such as berries and apples. This way you limit excess carbohydrates and sugars. I especially like to use frozen berries now that it’s getting warmer outside; they make it easy to always have an antioxidant rich food that keeps for weeks since I’m only using 3-4 berries per serving and they also double as a refreshing treat during hotter months.
When it comes to feeding vegetables, many of them are so low in calories that you can feed them relatively freely without having to count calories. Make sure to consider the caloric value of starchy vegetables though, such as sweet potatoes, winter squash, and corn.
In general, my approach is to hold back small quantities of most veggies and some fruits I buy just to make sure I diversify the nutrients my dog is getting. I have a container with odds and ends that I pull out at every meal and give small quantities of everything, but I tend to go heavier on the veggies. This container often includes berries, apples, oranges, pears, carrots, celery, cucumbers, carrots, kale, broccoli, and tomatoes.
Never Feed These Foods
Most dog owners know not to feed the following foods, but I figure it’s better to be safe than sorry. Never feed your dog chocolate, grapes/raisins, onions/leeks, garlic, or macadamia nuts. Avocado is also considered toxic in larger quantities, so it might be best to avoid it just to be safe.