What Do Dogs Eat?

What Do Dogs Eat?

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Dogs have a reputation for eating anything and everything. Though some dogs can be picky when it comes to what’s in their bowl, many dogs will eat just about anything they can fit in their mouths. In some cases, it doesn’t even matter if it’s actually edible.

As a pet owner, you have many responsibilities to care for your pet. Your dog’s health and well-being should be your top priorities. This includes making sure your dog gets the exercise and attention he craves, receives the veterinary care he needs and deserves, and is fed a healthy diet.

When it comes to choosing the best dog food, many pet owners find the sheer number of options overwhelming. It may take some time and a fair bit of research to choose the right product for your pup, but it’s well worth it. Providing your dog with a healthy and balanced diet is the key to maintaining long-term health and well-being. Health benefits of a balanced diet include healthy skin and coat, a strong immune system, and healthy digestive system functioning. All of this means more time you get to spend with your canine companion!

Though what you put in your dog’s food bowl will make up the majority of his diet, most pet owners end up feeding their dogs treats (and the occasional table scraps). Before you put anything in front of your dog, however, it’s important to make sure you know it’s safe.

Here’s what you need to know about what dogs can and can’t eat.

Safe and Unsafe Foods for Dogs

Are you wondering what your dog can and can’t eat? Just because your dog can eat something doesn’t mean he should. Some of the foods you eat on a daily basis can actually be quite toxic for pets like dogs and cats, so it’s important to do your research.

We’ve assembled a list of dozens of human foods that are and aren’t safe for your pet dog. Here they are!

21 Foods That Are Safe for Dogs:

1. Commercial dog food
2. Meat (cooked)
3. Poultry (cooked)
4. Fish (cooked)
5. Seafood (cooked)
6. Eggs (cooked)
7. Apples
8. Bananas
9. Berries
10. Broccoli
11. Carrots
12. Cauliflower
13. Celery
14. Green beans
15. Lettuce
16. Melon
17. Pineapple
18. Pumpkin
19. Cooked rice
20. Sweet potatoes
21. Whole grains

11 Foods Dogs Can Eat in Moderation:

1. Cheese
2. Milk
3. Salt
4. Cereal
5. Cashews
6. Peanuts
7. Peanut butter
8. Coconut
9. Tomatoes
10. Honey
11. Potatoes (cooked)

12 Foods That Are Not Recommended for Dogs:

1. Almonds
2. Bread
3. Corn
4. Wheat
5. Soy
6. Lemons/limes
7. Coffee
8. Tea
9. Cinnamon
10. Nutmeg
11. Sugar
12. Raw potatoes

19 Foods Toxic or Harmful to Dogs:

1. Avocado
2. Alcohol
3. Chocolate
4. Onions
5. Garlic
6. Raisins
7. Grapes
8. Macadamia nuts
9. Xylitol
10. Raw yeast dough
11. Rhubarb leaves
12. Fruit pits/seeds
13. Fried food
14. Table scraps (high-fat foods)
15. Raw meat
16. Raw poultry
17. Raw seafood
18. Raw fish
19. Raw eggs

Although raw diets for dogs have become more popular, the FDA and major veterinary organizations advise against feeding them. Raw meats and poultry can contain bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli that can cause food-borne disease in dogs, causing an upset stomach and other digestive problems.

Raw seafood, fish, and eggs can also contain bacteria and other parasites that can make dogs quite ill. Feeding raw food diets to dogs also puts pet owners at risk for food-borne disease from handling the raw food during meal preparation.

Understanding which foods are and are not safe for your dog is essential, but it’s also important to understand your dog’s nutritional requirements if you want him to be healthy. Read on to learn the specifics of what to feed your dog at different stages of life.

Types of Dog Diets

Dogs are descended from wild wolves, making them natural predators. You might assume this also makes your dog a carnivore, but it’s not quite that simple. While dogs have evolved to subsist on a diet comprised primarily of meat, they do have some ability to derive nutrition from plants.

In the wild, wolves hunt prey but when times are lean, they are able to digest plant materials to some degree. In terms of anatomical adaptations, cats have a short digestive tract for which carnivores are known, while herbivores have much longer intestines to facilitate the digestion of plant products. Like humans, dogs fall somewhere in the middle.

Though dogs may be able to digest plant material to some degree, their bodies are still made for meat. Acknowledging this simple fact is the key to understanding your dog’s nutritional needs.

Here is a quick breakdown of the different components of a balanced diet for dogs:

• Animal-Based Protein– Animal-based protein should be the first ingredient in your dog’s diet. A good source of protein is meat, along with poultry and fish. Plant proteins, like legumes, can provide supplemental protein but should not be the primary ingredient.
• Healthy Fats– Essential fatty acids — omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids — should come primarily from animal-based fats (like chicken fat or salmon oil), though plant fats can be used to balance the omega-3 and omega-6 content of a commercial pet food product.
• Vitamins and Minerals– Vitamins and minerals are essential for good health. Key vitamins include vitamins A, D, E, while important minerals include calcium and potassium. Natural sources for vitamins and minerals (whole grains, fruits, and veggies) are best, though most commercial dog foods also include synthetic supplements to help ensure optimal nutritional balance.
• Carbohydrates — Carbohydrates in dog foods have gotten a bad reputation as of late. But carbohydrates are an essential nutrient in dog diets. They are a key source of energy and dietary fiber for dogs. The fiber that comes from carbohydrates is critical for a healthy gastrointestinal tract.
• Water– Moisture is an essential component of a healthy diet for dogs. Dogs need a constant supply of fresh water to drink.

Now that you know what kinds of foods make up a balanced dog’s diet, you’re probably curious to know how much to feed your dog. Keep reading to learn about feeding recommendations for pet dogs.

Meeting Your Pet Dog’s Nutritional Needs

When shopping for dog food, you’ll find that there are dozens, maybe hundreds, of different brands out there and an endless array of recipes to choose from. It can be overwhelming to try to choose from among all these options, but if you keep your dog’s basic nutritional needs in mind, you’ll find it a little easier to sort out the good options from the bad.

To narrow down your dog food selection, remember the basic nutritional requirements from the last section. Once you’ve eliminated options that don’t meet these requirements, you can further pare down the list by comparing the options side-by-side to find the best product in your price range.

If you still need help choosing the right food for your dog, your veterinarian can provide guidance on what food will be most appropriate for your dog.

In addition to identifying a high-quality dog food, it’s also important to consider your dog’s life stage.

All dogs have the same basic nutritional requirements, but their needs for certain nutrients fluctuate throughout their lives. For example, compared to adult dogs, puppies need a much higher percentage of protein and energy to fuel their growth and development. Once your puppy becomes an adult, healthy weight maintenance becomes the primary objective.

Protein should make up at least 22% of a growing puppy’s diet, and adult dogs need about 18%. Healthy fats provide a concentrated source of energy and should make up at least 8% of a puppy’s diet and 5% of an adult dog’s diet.

Be aware that these are bare minimums established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). If you want to optimize your dog’s health and maximize his lifespan, aim for something closer to 20% protein and 10% fat. You’ll also want to make sure your dog gets the essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals he needs, along with plenty of fresh water.

AAFCO does not have specific recommendations for carbohydrates.

To give you an idea of what and how much you should be feeding your pet dog in different stages of life, refer to this chart:

When feeding your dog, remember that while all dogs have the same basic nutritional requirements, calorie needs vary depending on the dog’s breed, size, and age.

Puppies need a high concentration of calories in their diet to fuel their growth and development. As an adult, your dog’s calorie needs will largely be determined by his size. Surprisingly, small-breed dogs (under 20 pounds) need a higher concentration of calories than medium- and large-breed dogs because they have fast metabolisms and burn energy more quickly than big dogs.

As your dog reaches his senior years, his metabolism will slow down and he won’t need as many calories. You’ll need to adjust his diet to make sure that he still receives excellent nutrition even with fewer calories. Your veterinarian can help you make that dietary adjustment.

The age at which a dog becomes a senior dog depends on the breed size. Small dogs tend to have longer lifespans, so they may not reach senior status until 8 to 10 years, while large breeds may be considered senior as early as 6 or 7 years. Once your dog is a senior, you may need to reduce the fat content of his diet to control calories, but high protein content will always be important.

The quality of the ingredients in your dog’s diet is just as important as the diet’s nutritional composition. Read on to see our recommendations for high-quality dog foods.

Recommended Dog Foods

Commercial dog food recipes are a dime a dozen — there are simply too many for us to evaluate them all. Generally speaking, however, we believe that fresh dog food is a more nutritious option than commercial dry food for dogs. As always, however, the ingredients are the biggest factor in determining the quality and nutritional value of a pet food product.

When it comes to fresh food for dogs, there are many brands we recommend. Some of our favorites are fresh dog food subscriptions, which send fresh dog food right to your door.

Here are some of our top picks for the best fresh dog food:

• Nom Nom– Enjoy the convenience of fresh dog food made even simpler with pre-portioned packages from Nom Nom. This company calculates your dog’s specific calorie needs to recommend a daily portion. Then, you can customize his meal plan by preference.
• The Farmer’s Dog– All recipes are made with real animal protein and other fresh, natural ingredients to deliver optimal nutrition. The Farmer’s Dog offers custom meal plan recommendations and sends pre-portioned packages of food right to your door.
• Spot and Tango– Prepared in small batches with premium ingredients, Spot and Tango fresh dog food supports your dog’s digestion, helps with weight management, and can help to improve skin and coat health. This food may even help to manage and reduce allergies.

If fresh dog food isn’t in your budget but you still want a customized diet tailored to your dog’s nutritional needs, there are several options to choose from. Hungry Bark offers high-quality kibble and mix-ins and Crafted Kibble sends individually portioned bags of premium kibble right to your door.

For more information about fresh dog food and to see more of our top picks, check out our guide to the top fresh dog food delivery services.

Dog Feeding FAQs

What do dogs eat in the wild?

Wild dogs are predators that follow a primarily carnivorous diet, though they can derive nutrition from plants when necessary.

How much do dogs eat?

The average dog needs somewhere between 20 and 40 calories per pound of body weight per day. Small-breed dogs have fast metabolisms and may need a higher concentration of energy (closer to 40 calories per pound) than large-breed dogs who burn calories more slowly (closer to 20).

What do dogs drink?

Dogs drink water, so you need to provide unlimited access to fresh water for your dog. Most dogs will drink from a bowl, so keep at least one full around the house. Feeding your dog fresh food versus dry food will also help increase the moisture content of your dog’s diet.

Do dogs eat insects?

Dogs can eat insects and may do so in the wild. Insects are not commonly used in commercial dog food, though there is a growing movement toward sustainable pet foods made with insect protein from black fly larvae and crickets. Check out our review of Jiminy’s dog food to learn more.