Unlocking the Secrets of True Meals Dog Food Maximizing Dog Health
10 Healthy Dog Food Additions to Improve a Dry Food Diet
Americas most popular dog food is kibble or dry food, which, because it is convenient and affordable, accounts for more than 60% of all dog food sales. Unfortunately, dry dog food is far from perfect.
The good news is, that you can vastly improve a dry diet by making simple additions of cooked or raw foods, says Mary Straus, long-time pet-food researcher and owner of the DogAware.com website. Todays consumers have many dog food choices, Straus says, but kibble is the diet that most benefits from enhancement since it is so highly processed and because it tends to be high in carbohydrates, which are needed for the extrusion process.
Straus recommends adding animal-source foods such as eggs, meat, or dairy rather than plant foods such as grains, legumes, and starchy vegetables. Most dry foods are already high in carbohydrates, she explains, and dogs have no nutritional need for carbohydrates. In contrast, animal protein supports the immune system and central nervous system, contributes to wound healing, helps build lean muscle, and is required for skin and coat health.
NUTRITIOUS ADDITIONS
In general, added foods should represent only a small portion of the calories your dog consumes. Replacing more than 25% of the calories from a commercial diet with fresh foods, treats, and chews risks seriously unbalancing the overall diet, unless care is taken to balance the added portion, Straus explains. She offers the following guidelines to help improve your dogs health while adding enjoyment and variety:
1.Eggs. Feed eggs raw or lightly scrambled, soft-boiled, or hard-boiled. Whole raw eggs are fine, says Straus, as the yolks contain plenty of biotin to make up for what raw egg whites destroy, but the whites are more easily digested when cooked.
Eggs are one of the healthiest and easiest additions to make. Dogs weighing 40 pounds or more can handle a whole egg, so Id recommend half an egg (or a whole egg every other day) for dogs weighing 20 to 40 pounds and proportionately less for smaller dogs.
2.Muscle meat (including heart) and organ meats. Add any kind of meat, such as chicken, turkey, or lean beef, either ground or in chunks that are small enough to prevent choking, served raw or lightly cooked (never feed cooked bones).
While liver and other organ meats provide beneficial nutrients, Straus no longer recommends feeding fresh or freeze-dried beef liver to kibble-fed dogs. This is because most commercial foods are already high in copper, she explains, and excessive copper in the diet can lead to copper storage disease.
For organ meats other than beef liver, she recommends introducing small amounts. Organ meats like heart and poultry gizzard are nutritionally similar to muscle meats and can be fed in greater quantity, though some dogs might experience digestive upset if too much is fed at one time.
3.Fish. Canned sardines (preferably packed in water rather than oil), jack mackerel, and pink salmon are wonderful additions, says Straus, because of their beneficial fatty acids and trace minerals.
One small sardine weighing less than half an ounce provides 100 to 150 mg of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, she says, and I recommend 3 to 10 mg EPA/DHA per pound of body weight daily.
Dont feed raw salmon or trout from the Pacific Northwest (California to Alaska) because it may contain a parasite that is fatal to dogs. This may include other salt-water fish that spawn in fresh water such as smelt, sturgeon, shad, and striped bass.
4.Yogurt and kefir. Fermented dairy products that are homemade or manufactured with added probiotics and are free of sugar or xylitol can help with digestive issues. Whole-milk yogurt or kefir is fine unless your dog needs a low-fat diet. (See Dogs and Dairy Products, WDJ May 2022.)
5.Cottage cheese or ricotta cheese. Most dogs enjoy cottage cheese and ricotta, and if the milk used to make them comes from grass-fed cattle, especially A2 milk or goats milk, these protein-rich cheeses are easily digested.
6.Canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix). This traditional remedy for diarrhea and constipation, is an all-purpose digestive aid. Feed small amounts, such as 1 teaspoon plain canned or pureed cooked pumpkin per 10 pounds of body weight once or twice per day.
7.Cooked or pureed vegetables. Because dogs dont chew their food enough to break down cell walls, whole raw vegetables dont provide much nutritional value. Vegetables pureed in a food processor, juicer, or blender are more digestible; cooked vegetables can be digested without having to be pureed.
Recommended cooked/pureed plants include carrots, celery, all types of greens, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, zucchini, asparagus, turnips, and parsnips. Because they can be toxic to dogs, onions are not recommended and, if your dog has any symptoms of arthritis or inflammation, avoid plants from the nightshade family, which includes potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, tomatillos, and goji berries.
8.Fruit. Most dogs enjoy bananas, apples, melons, pears, blueberries, and other fresh, ripe fruits. Avocados should be avoided or fed in moderation, says Straus, as avocados are very high in fat and calories. Grapes, raisins, and fruit seeds and pits are also potentially hazardous. The main problem with fruit is its sugar content, which is why its a good idea to offer small rather than large amounts to your dog.
9.Raw green tripe. You can buy bleached white honeycomb tripe at your supermarket, but while your dog might be interested, that portion of a cows stomach wont provide much nutritional value. Your dog would greatly prefer green tripe, which is untreated and greenish brown in color and smells terrible, at least to us humans. Raw green tripe from grass-fed cattle is highly recommended.
While some raw feeders serve their dogs entire meals of just green tripe, if you feed a dry diet, you should limit this treat to a maximum of 25% or less of your dogs daily caloric intake.
10.Recreational bones. For many dogs, an after-dinner raw bone is an ideal dessert. It can clean teeth, help prevent gum disease, and provide chewing pleasure and jaw exercise.
However, bones can cause broken teeth, especially if their size and shape allow dogs to get them between their molars and crunch down. Marrow bones are a particular risk. Knuckle bones may be safer because of their shape, especially for large dogs and aggressive chewers. Bone shards can cause serious issues if swallowed.
For best results, feed only raw, fresh bones and remove them once the tissues connected to them have been eaten and before they dry out. Cooked or dry bones can splinter and are not recommended.
For More Information
For those who want an easy way to upgrade their dogs diet by feeding fresh foods, Mary Straus recommends the following books. See also Straus website: dogaware.com.
Unlocking the Canine Ancestral Diet by Steve Brown includes guidelines for feeding fresh foods one day a week to dogs who otherwise eat a commercial diet. His book See Spot Live Longer is available in print and in shortened form as an eBook.
Chow: Simple Ways to Share the Foods You Love with the Dogs You Love by Rick Woodford describes foods that can be added to your dogs bowl. Feed Your Best Friend Better: Easy, Nutritious Meals for Dogs by the same author (revised in 2021) provides cooked recipes for different situations, including feeding half commercial and half homemade.
Is True meals a good dog food?
Awesome and nutritional The True Meals Multi-Protein Adult dog food was a great hit with our 2 dogs!! This dog food is very nutritional with a lot of proteins and all natural with vitamins, minerals and amino acids which are a great asset to adult dogs.
What is the #1 recommended dog food?
Best Overall: Purina Pro Plan In addition to wet and dry options, Purina Pro Plan formulas include food nutritionally designed for adult dogs, puppies of various sizes, senior dogs, and specialized diet support for overweight dogs, sensitive stomachs, and more.
Does True Chews make a dog food?
The answer is True. Our dog food combines deliciousness with real protein, vegetables and grains so your best friend can enjoy the benefits of many nutrients from one True Meals Dog Food bag.
What is the healthiest dog food recommended by vets?
- Wellness Natural Food for Dogs.
- Castor & Pollux.
- Kirkland Pet Foods.
- Nutro Ultra.
- The Honest Kitchen.
- Natural Balance.
- Royal Canin.
- Purina Pro Plan.
What dog food does Tyson make?
Tyson and grown under three generations of family leadership, the company has a broad portfolio of products and brands like Tyson, Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, Ball Park, Wright, Aidells, ibp, and State Fair.
Does Tyson Own Blue Buffalo?
General Mills entered the pet food category in 2018 when it acquired Blue Buffalo Pet Products, Inc. for approximately $8 billion. Pet food is a high-growth category, fueled by the humanization of pets, a trend that has only increased during the pandemic, said Bethany Quam, General Mills group president, Pet segment.
What ingredients should I avoid in dog food?
- Corn and wheat gluten.
- Meat and grain meals and by-products.
- BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)
- BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)
- Ethoxyquin.
- Food Dyes (Blue 2, Red 40, Yellow 5 and 6, 4-MIE)
- PG (Propylene Glycol)
- Rendered fat.
What brand of dog food do dogs like best?
- Ollie. This high-quality, freshly prepared, human-grade dog food will be virtually irresistible for even the pickiest of pooches.
- The Farmers Dog.
- Hills Science Diet.
- Rachael Ray Nutrish.
- Lucy Pet Formulas For Life.
- Royal Canin.
- Purina Pro Plan.
- Taste of the Wild.
Why do vets recommend Royal Canin?
Vets recommend Royal Canin so highly because there is a veterinary nutritionist on staff who makes sure that the ingredients in the food are of high quality and the diet is nutritionally balanced to get the needs of the dog.
Are True Chews healthy?
True Chews is a premium and healthy dog treats that is always made with 100% natural ingredients, all sourced and made 100% in the USA with no artificial flavors and no artificial preservatives just nutritious ingredients, and premium cuts of meat, chicken, and fish are always first.
Where are true chews made?
True Chews Premium Jerky Cuts Dog Treats Made with Real Chicken are 100% natural and made in the USA.
Did top chews go out of business?
MINNEAPOLIS General Mills announced July 6 it has successfully completed its acquisition of Tyson Foods pet treat business, which includes its Nudges, Top Chews and True Chews brands.
What food do dog nutritionist recommend?
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ekx6WGBFVak
Do vets recommend grain free dog food?
When it comes to the question of grain-free diets, veterinarians recommended that dogs be fed a grain-inclusive diet unless there is a reason that makes it unsuitable. One thing to always look out for when choosing a food is an adequacy statement on the label.
Is grain free better for dogs?
While your dog needs carbohydrates to produce energy, too many of them can contribute to obesity, the wrong bacteria in the gut and a lack of energy. So, if a dog food is labeled grain free but the grains are replaced with other ingredients, its not necessarily a healthier option for your dog.
Who bought Tyson?
MINNEAPOLIS(BUSINESS WIRE)General Mills (NYSE: GIS) today announced that it has completed the acquisition of Tyson Foods (NYSE: TSN) pet treats business for $1.2 billion in cash. The business, which includes the Nudges, Top Chews and True Chews brands, is the leader in natural meat treats for pets.
What dog food brands are owned by General Mills?
Blue Buffalo was acquired in April 2018 for $8 billion. 3 With the addition of Blue Buffalo, General Mills became the leader in the Wholesome Natural pet food category. Blue Buffalo sells dry food, wet food, and treats for dogs and cats.
Does General Mills own Blue Buffalo?
Since its acquisition of Blue Buffalo in 2018, General Mills has delivered significant growth for the pet food and treat brand.
Who makes Blue Buffalo dry dog food?
Blue Buffalo is owned by U.S. food company, General Mills. All of the brands dog food products are produced in the United States. Blue Buffalo owns and operates 2 manufacturing facilities.
Who makes diamond dog food?
Who Makes Diamond Dog Food? Diamond is made by family-owned Diamond Pet Foods, of Meta, Missouri. All dry foods are produced at the companys own facilities in South Carolina, California, Arkansas and Missouri. Wet recipes are made by a private-label cannery in the United States.
What dog food is killing dogs right now?
A pet food recall is widening after the Food and Drug Administration announced that more than two dozen dogs died after eating Sportmix brand dry kibble. The statement issued on Monday said that the suspect is aflatoxin, a byproduct of a corn mold Aspergillus flavus, which at high levels can kill pets.
What should the first ingredient be in dog food?
The first five ingredients of your dogs food should always start with protein. Dogs are omnivores, so they receive energy and nutrients from both plant and animal nutrients. But protein is essential to their muscle and tissue development, immune system health, energy, and healthy skin and nails.
Are sweet potatoes good for dogs?
Why Sweet Potatoes Are Good for Dogs. Sweet potatoes provide an excellent source of dietary fiber, which helps the digestive system function more effectively. Eating fiber on a regular basis lowers the risk of heart disease and certain types of cancers.
What is the best dry dog food for picky dogs?
- Ollie Hearty Beef Eats.
- A Pup Above.
- Nom Nom.
- Stella & Chewy Freeze Dried Mix-Ins.
- Instinct Raw Boost.
- Purina Pro Plan Savor Shredded Beef and Rice Formula.
- Taste of the Wild Salmon Recipe.
- Rachael Ray Nutrish Real Chicken & Veggies Recipe.
What brand of dog food is good for picky eaters?
The Purina Pro Plan Salmon & Rice Formula is a high-quality, real salmon and rice diet. Its been designed to meet the demands of all life stages and dog breeds. Salmon & Rice, Chicken & Rice, and Beef & Rice are just a few of the flavors available.
