IDEAL DOG DIET

DOG DIET

The best diets for both dogs and cats are natural ones, coming as close as possible to the diet they would eat in the wild. Cats are naturally carnivorous and have a high protein requirement, while dogs tend to be more scavenging and eat more of a variety of foods, requiring less protein than cats. It is possible, but not easy, to feed a dog a balanced vegetarian diet.

As a general rule, moderation is the surest way to prevent over consumption of any one food ingredient and in turn avoiding any ill side effects thereof.


What should be the Ideal Dog Diet ?

A good basic diet for dogs should be composed of 50% grains, which should ideally be boiled or steamed. This more closely matches semi-digested grains in the stomachs of the animals that dogs consume in the wild, which is an important part of their diet. The staple grain is usually brown rice, but other organic whole grains such as oatmeal, barley, millet, corn or amaranth can also be added for variety.

Vegetables should make up about 25% of the complete cooked diet and I also recommend boiling or steaming these lightly, then chopping them finely depending on the preference of the individual pet. Some larger dogs love their vegetables whole or raw and this is fine, while some smaller breeds may enjoy them made into more of a puree in a food processor. It is also fine to finely grate raw vegetables such as carrots or zucchini. Virtually all vegetables are acceptable, although favorites include carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, yellow squash, zucchini and Brussels sprouts.

The protein content should be also about 25% although some people prefer to feed higher, especially to young, active, working animals, pregnant females, and growing puppies. If the meat is organic and fresh it can be safely fed raw, which is the ideal. A healthy dog should have enough acid in the stomach to safely kill pathogenic bacteria.I would not recommend feeding raw pork, because of parasites, and anyhow prefer beef, chicken turkey or rabbit as a protein source. Organ meats such as heart, liver or kidney can also be fed once or twice a week. Liver is very nutritious and large quantities are not required, or recommended because of the high levels of vitamin A but a small amount once or twice a week is a good addition to the diet. A large raw organic beef leg bone fed once a week is an excellent dietary addition and keeps your dogs teeth free of plaque and gum disease.

An occasional egg is also acceptable, and these can be fed raw or cooked, although some people prefer to remove the egg white when feeding them raw because this contains an enzyme which can denature biotin, an important B vitamin in the body. Personally I feed my dogs an occasional boled egg, and they love it. Fish is also acceptable and this is also something that dogs, and other wild carnivores would eat in the wild if they had the opportunity to do so.


Factors Determining Serving Sizes

Aside from your pet's size, other factors will impact the quantities of food that you serve.

Activity level is a factor, as less active dogs may need less food and extremely active will need more.

Some breeds have a higher metabolism than others.

Age is a serving size factor, as well.

Medical conditions may require further quantity adjustments to attain optimal health.



Recommended Portions By Age and Weight

Age is a serving size factor, as well. For puppies, feed a total of approximately ten percent of their body weight, divided into three or four meals. If, for example, your puppy weighs ten pounds, you

would feed a total of one pound per day. For adult dogs, feed two to three percent of body weight, divided into two meals. If your dog needs to lose weight, these quantities should be adjusted. An overweight dog should be fed approximately two percent of her body weight until she reaches her ideal weight.

Very active dogs may need more food-begin with three percent of body weight. These quantities are estimates. Your dog may need slightly more or less. As her energy and activity level increase, you may need to adjust quantities as her increased muscle and healthy weight increase her metabolism.


Below I have included a list of appropriate foods for dogs, followed by a list of possible dinners that adhere to the aforementioned rules. These are just suggestions:


Meat

Beef

Chicken

Lamb

Mature Hen

Turkey

Moose

Rabbit

Venison

Buffalo


Vegetables

Potato

Carrot

Yam

Sweet Potato

Turnip

Parsnip

Radish

Beet

Squash

Eggplant

Peas

Tomato

Corn


Fruit

Apple

Berries

Orange

Grapes

Plums

Cherries

Raisins

Tomato


Grains, Herbs, and Seeds

Wheat

Bran

Rye

Oregano

Thyme

Parsley

Rosemary

Dill Weed

Flax Seed

Sesame Seed

Sunflower Seed

Mixed Bird Seed

Various Vegetable Seeds


Other Ingredients

Flax seed Oil

Soda Crackers

Bread

Whole Grain Cereal

Wheat Flour

Natural Chicken or Beef Stock

Fruit Juice


There is no limit to the possible combination's of food items that follow these simple rules. Have fun with it!


Water

Most importantly, Make certain your dog has clean and fresh water at all times.


In the great memory of Jimmy & Jolly.