The Best and Worst Foods for Your Puppy

As a dog lover or parent, do you know that there are best and worst foods for your puppy? Having a puppy means doing all you can to give them the very best.

Besides being a great companion to your furry friend, you also need to ensure that they are eating the right thing in the right amount. 

However, with so many foods out there, it is easy to feed your pup something you are not supposed to. This article contains some of the best and worst foods you can feed your dog.

 

The Best Foods for Your Puppy

Below are the best 4 foods for your puppy;

 

1. Carrots

Carrots are just as healthy for dogs as they are for humans. These vegetables contain beta-carotene, which helps to promote eye and immune health. They also help to improve your pup’s coat and skin. You can also find a lot of fiber in carrots, which helps digestion. 

The best thing about carrots is that you can give them to your pups as pet treats. That said, do not feed your pup whole carrots. You should cut them into smaller bite-size chunks. 

Keep in mind that not all dogs like raw carrots, so if your pup does not like them, you can try boiling or steaming them. Another great option is to puree the boiled carrots and include them in your pup’s food.

 

2. Fish

Any oily fish that contains omega-3 fatty acids is fantastic for dogs. These fatty acids contain docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which are responsible for improving your dog’s skin and coat. Furthermore, they support the brain, heart, and joint health.

FIshes with omega-3 fatty acids also provide calcium, which is great for your pup’s joint and bone health. You can also find vitamins D, K, E, and B12, as well as minerals such as zinc. 

Fishes also help with inflammation that leads to arthritic pain and other conditions. It might be a good idea to purchase fish oil capsules if your dog has inflammatory-related conditions.

However, ensure to consult your vet before proceeding with these capsules. You can even enlist the help of an online vet.

Although there are various great types of fish, sardines, and anchovies stand out because they contain high-quality protein. In addition, they have lower mercury because they are small than other fishes, so they feed on plankton instead of other fishes.

 

3. Yogurt

Yogurt is known for containing probiotics, which are good, healthy bacteria that help to protect your dog from bad bacteria. Furthermore, they contain various nutrients such as calcium, zinc, potassium, iodine, and others.

This incredible food also improves your pup’s gut health and your dog can also get B vitamins, such as pantothenic acid.

 

4. Bone Broth

Bone broth is known for its numerous health benefits. It is made from animal bones and connective tissue. This food is nutrient-dense and filled with high protein levels and various anti-inflammatory vitamins, amino acids, and minerals. 

Additionally, this rich food contains gelatin, which helps your dog’s joint and gut health. It can also help protect your dog from diseases, including arthritis and hip dysplasia.

Making bone broth is pretty straightforward, and you can do it using raw bones or leftover bones. However, if you do not want to make it, you can find this pet food in Australia by shopping online or visiting a grocery store. 

Bone broth might upset your dog’s stomach in the early stages, so you should only give them a few tablespoons, then increase the portion as time goes on. You can feed your dog just the broth or add it to their food.

 

The Worst Foods for Your Puppy

Below are the 3 worst foods for your puppy;

 

1. Avocado

While avocados are healthy fruits for humans, they could harm dogs. This is because avocado contains a compound known as persin. 

In most cases, persin is safe for humans, except for those who are allergic to it. However, if a dog ingests too much persin, it can cause them to vomit or develop diarrhea. Hence, you should keep your puppy away from avo-cases.

If you own a home garden and grow avocados, find a way to keep your furry friend away from the plant because you can find persin in all parts of an avocado plant, from the leaves and seeds to the bark and fruit. 

Furthermore, if your dog swallows an avocado seed, it may lodge in its stomach or intestine and cause obstruction, which could lead to fatality.

 

2. Alliums

Although they taste great and are healthy for humans, herbs in the Allium family, such as chives and onions, are not good for your puppy. 

These herbs contain disulfides and sulfoxides, and these components can destroy the red blood cells in your pup, leading to anemia.

Keep in mind that all forms of these herbs (such as powders and baby food) are dangerous to your pet, so ensure to take measures to prevent your dog from ingesting any herbs in the Allium family.

If you want to feed your pet store-bought food, be sure to read the labels and confirm the ingredients in this food.

 

3. Chocolate

Not giving chocolate to your dog is arguably the most well-known rule for dog care. Regardless, it is still a common cause of pet poisoning.

The reason why chocolate is bad for dogs is due to a compound called theobromine. It is a compound that dogs cannot metabolize as well as humans. 

Some side effects of your pup taking chocolate include vomiting, seizures, diarrhea, and hyperactivity.

All kinds of chocolate contain theobromine, from white to dark chocolate. However, darker chocolates have more theobromine. Nevertheless, all types of chocolate are toxic to dogs.

Besides theobromine, chocolates contain caffeine, and a few contain xylitol, both of which are also deadly to dogs.

If your dog accidentally eats chocolate, be sure to call your vet as soon as possible regardless of how much chocolate they ate.

 

Conclusion

We believe you must have noted the best and worst foods for your puppy. The type of food you feed your dog is essential to not only improving their health but maintaining it. The right type of food can keep your pet healthy for a long time. 

However, if you give them foods that are not good for them, you might end up making them sick or worse. Thus, you should always pay attention to what you feed your furry friend. 

Using the content of this article, you now have an idea of what you should and should not feed your dog.

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