While meat makes up the majority of their diet, domestic dogs can also derive nutrients from grains, fruits, and vegetables. These non-meat foods are not simply fillers, but can be a valuable source of essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. A good dog food will contain meat, vegetables, grains, and fruits.
What do dogs actually need to eat?
Dogs are carnivorous, meaning the primary component of their diet should be meat. But they aren't obligate carnivores—or only meat-eating. In the wild, dogs survive mainly off of prey animals and some seasonal vegetables. Wild dogs will also occasionally eat fruits.
What is the healthiest food to feed your dog?
It is entirely acceptable to feed your dog a pure kibble diet. Or you can mix their diet up with some cooked or raw meat, fish, vegetables and rice. Many owners like to feed a raw meat diet to their dogs, and while this can suit some dogs very well, there are some important considerations you need to be aware of.
What foods do dogs need to survive?
The six essential nutrients your dog needs include water, fat, protein, carbs, vitamins and minerals.Water. Water makes up 70 to 80 percent of a mature dog's body mass. ... Fat. Fats protect internal organs, regulate body temperature, and promote a healthy nervous system. ... Protein. ... Carbs. ... Vitamins. ... Minerals.6 Essential Nutrients Dogs Need to Thrive | Redbarn.com
Can I feed my dog human food instead of dog food?
It's extremely unlikely that your dog will get the right balance of nutrients by eating human food, so feeding a 100% human food diet is not recommended. Take it slowly. If your dog is used to a diet of kibble, tipping a plate full of leftovers into his dinner bowl could quickly cause an upset stomach.
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