Diet Suggestion for Dogs

Dog food has changed considerably since our grandparents' day, when whatever scraps remained on the table was what wound up in the family pet's food bowl. Greater understanding of canine health needs has transformed the pet food industry into one geared toward helping owners maintain their dogs' physical well-being. However, beyond commercially manufactured foods, there are many other dog diet choices for you to consider, some of which have recently come into vogue.

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    • Fueling your dog's mind and body is the same as fueling yours; if you eat fast food each meal of every day, you won't get the essential nutrients you need for good health. A dog food's quality is easy to identify: Ingredient lists that begin with "meal" or grains are lower on the chain, because they use more fillers than nutritious components. Be sure the first ingredient is always the entire protein source such as "chicken" and not "chicken meal," according to WebMD.

    Specific Health Issues

    • Dogs can suffer from food allergies the same as people do, so that's the first place many vets start when trying to figure out what allergen is affecting a pet. According to WebMD, the most common triggers include beef, dairy, wheat, egg, chicken, lamb, soy, pork, rabbit and fish. Corn can also instigate allergic reactions such as itchy skin, ear infections and digestive problems. Your vet will likely suggest the elimination diet to isolate which one -- or how many -- ingredients are bothering your dog.

    Homemade Meals

    • Cooking for your dog is not the same as giving him table scraps, because it requires some research on your part to make sure he's getting all the nutrients necessary for optimum health. First consult with your vet and read "Tips on Cooking Your Pet a Home-Cooked Meal" from Medical News Today. Then follow the American Veterinary Medical Association's (AVMA) recommendation of Dr. Donald Strombeck's "Home-Prepared Dog & Cat Diets: the Healthful Alternative" to create a sound diet for your dog's specific needs.

    Raw Diet

    • Choosing to feed your dog a raw food diet is one of the most controversial options within the veterinary industry, according to "Modern Dog Magazine," which consists of uncooked meats, vegetables and other animal byproducts such as whole eggs. While anecdotal evidence from those who feed this diet are overwhelmingly positive, this option has risks associated with digestive disturbance and inability to process the food in its raw form. Consult with your vet and do some research to arm yourself with the knowledge to make informed decisions about your dog's well-being.