Things You Can Put in Your Dog's Food to Keep Him Healthy

Keeping man's best friend in top shape is a priority for any dog owner. To do so you need to feed your canine companion a healthy diet. Whether you feed your dog entirely homemade meals or are just want to supplement a diet of canned food and dry kibble, there are a plethora of foods that can be added to a doggy diet. Consult a veterinarian before making any changes to your dog's current meal plan.

  1. Whole Grains

    • Add fiber-packed whole grains to your dog's diet. Cook brown rice according to the package directions and include it in your homemade mixture or spoon some into a can of packaged dog food before serving. Whole grains give your dog needed carbohydrates and fiber. Modern Dog Magazine suggests oatmeal as another whole grain that adds well to dog food and provides soluble fiber for bowel health.

    Meat and Fish

    • Meat and fish can be included in a dog's food in either raw or cooked form. The Complete Guide to Responsible Dog Ownership advocates using the raw food method and encourages feeding dogs everything from poultry and beef to buffalo and venison. The protein-packed delicacies will delight even the most finicky dog. Salmon makes another nutrition-packed addition to dog food because it supports immune system health and contains essential fatty acids.

    Essential Oils

    • Give your dog a healthy coat by pouring on olive, sesame or flaxseed oils. Modern Dog Magazine recommends grinding whole flaxseed just before serving or drizzling up to a teaspoon of oil over the dog's food and then mixing it in thoroughly. The oils provide essential Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids that keep a dog's coat shiny and skin in top condition.

    Vegetables

    • Chop up a garden full of goodness for your dog by adding some vegetables to its diet. Potassium-rich, peeled cucumbers build strong teeth and bones while apples have pepsin that settles the stomach. Carrot chips, peas and green beans are full of fiber and make other healthy additions to a dog's diet. The Partnership for Animal Welfare recommends serving them frozen to provide dogs with a treat that has a satisfying crunch. Serve veggies steamed so they are easier for dogs to digest.

    Grasses

    • The vitamins, enzymes and chlorophyll found in cereal grasses can be curative for a many problems that plague dogs. Barley, oat, wheat and rye grass are all recommended additions to a dog's food. Their consumption can help treat conditions that include skin and coat disorders, allergies, fleas, infection and diarrhea.

    Things to Avoid

    • Not all foods, including vegetables, consumed by humans are suitable for dogs. The Complete Guide to Responsible Dog Ownership says to never feed a dog chocolate, onions, potatoes, grapes, raisins, nuts, tomatoes or avocados. Those foods are poisonous to dogs. Items containing caffeine, alcohol and bones as well any food that has spoiled should be avoided.