How to Feed a Dog Whole Foods

If you think about dogs as animals that could live on their own without store-bought foods made of dozens of ingredients, then you would understand their preference for whole food. Be careful not to think emotionally or simply believe TV commercials that make you think your dog needs a balanced diet like you do. Their digestive system is not like a human's, and they do not have the same needs as we do. Dogs will be the healthiest if they can eat as close to a wild diet as we can provide for them.

Instructions

1. 

   Look at the dog's teeth. They are designed for ripping and tearing meat as well as crunching hard foods. Most commercial dog food fills the need for crunching, but the ripping and tearing comes from eating large chunks of meat.

2. 

   Watch how the dog eats. He bolts his food. He is not a modified human who needs to chew his food carefully to start the digestions process in his mouth. A dog does not have the amylase enzyme to break down starches in his mouth and therefore should not have dental plaque unless someone feeds him simple sugars. Poultry, beef and pork are all favorites of dogs.

3. 

   Don't spare the fat, animal fat especially. Dogs need it for energy, while they need protein for muscle and tissue growth. Many times when dogs are forced to live in a human environment, they cannot get the exercise they need and get fat. Do not be fooled into thinking that they now need a low-fat diet. Dogs need the fat to move and run. Keep the chicken skin and the fatty hamburger for your dogs when you are watching your own waistline.

4. 

   Lower the carbohydrates. Yes, dogs love the protein and fat as their first choices, but they also need carbohydrates for brain function among other things. Include some carbohydrates in the form of whole grains like wheat or oats, but keep it limited to a small amount.

5. 

   Keep it varied. Dogs’ nutritional needs can be met, just as humans' are met by eating a variety of whole meats and foods. Commercial dog food is so popular for its convenience, but if you get in the habit of thinking of scrap meat and meat drippings are wonderful dog food, you will quickly find it is more convenient to feed it the same meat you would eat. Raw meat is the best, as it has all the living enzymes, but even cooked meat is great for dogs.

6. 

   Limit the amount of dog food to about 3% of your dog's weight. For example, a thirty pound dog will need almost one pound of food per day. On their own dogs will gorge themselves, as a survival instinct, but regular small portions will keep them happy.

7. 

   Do a little research on your dog breed. Each dog has different needs, and you will be able to make the best choice for your dog, knowing how much activity it gets as well as its history. There is not one diet for dogs, just as there is not one for any other living being. Anything living is designed to eat living food, although we can get nutritional benefit from processed food, but open the door of opportunity for disease and problems if we use it on a consistent basis.

Tips & Warnings

• Get to know your local butcher for meat scraps deals.

• Check with your veterinarian before making big changes in your pets' diet.

Resources

• Overview of Nutrition For Pets