Feeding Your Dog a Healthy Diet

• Proteins support muscle growth, immune function, and tissue repair.
• Fats provide energy, help absorb vitamins, and maintain skin and coat health.
• Carbohydrates supply energy and fiber for digestive health.
• Vitamins & Minerals regulate metabolism, support bone density, nerve function, and more.

• Puppies: Higher protein and calorie demands for growth.
• Adults: Balanced nutrition to maintain ideal body condition.
• Seniors: Fewer calories, more fiber, joint supplements.

1. Commercial Kibble & Canned Food

How To Raise Healthy and Happy Dogs?

Look for high-quality brands that list a named protein (e.g., “chicken,” “beef”) as the first ingredient. Check for an AAFCO statement ensuring complete and balanced nutrition for your dog’s life stage.

2. Raw & BARF Diets

Raw feeding includes raw meat, bones, and organs. Advocates highlight dental and digestive benefits, while critics warn of bacterial risk and nutrient imbalance. If choosing this path, work closely with a veterinary nutritionist.

3. Homemade Cooked Meals

Cooking for your pup gives you control over ingredients and quality. However, it requires precision: missing key nutrients like calcium or essential fatty acids can lead to deficiencies.

• A good protein source (chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, fish, eggs, legumes, cottage cheese)
• Healthy fats (fish oil, flaxseed oil, avocados, olive oil)
• Complex carbohydrates or fiber (brown rice, sweet potatoes, oats, pumpkin, peas)
• Essential vitamins and minerals (fresh veggies, fruits, or supplements)

Consult your vet before adding supplements to homemade meals.

• Calculate Resting Energy Requirement (RER): 70 × (body weight in kg)^0.75
• Adjust based on life stage: multiply by 2–3 for puppies, 1.2–1.5 for adults, 1.0–1.4 for seniors.

Always track your dog’s weight and adjust portion sizes as needed.

Safe Human Foods

• Chicken, turkey, lean beef (cooked, no seasoning)
• Carrots, green beans, pumpkin, sweet potatoes
• Plain yogurt, cottage cheese (lactose-tolerant dogs only)
• Blueberries, apples (core and seeds removed)

Foods to Avoid

• Chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, chives
• Macadamia nuts, raw dough, caffeinated items, artificial sweeteners (xylitol)
• High-fat scraps or excessive dairy can cause pancreatitis

• Batch cooking: Prepare protein, grains, veggies once a week and portion out servings.
• Mix kibble and wet food: Combines convenience and palatability.
• Freeze in portions: Freeze single-serve bags and thaw as needed.
• Diverse proteins: Rotate chicken, beef, fish to prevent allergies.

• Healthy indicators: Shiny coat, clear eyes, firm stool, stable weight, good energy.
• Warning signs: Itchy skin, hair loss, diarrhea, vomiting, sudden weight changes, excessive thirst.

If symptoms persist, consult your veterinarian for allergy testing or dietary adjustments.

Allergies & Food Sensitivities

Common triggers include beef, dairy, wheat, and corn. Elimination diets help identify the issue.

Weight Management

Obesity puts dogs at risk for health issues. Tailor portions and add low-impact activities like walking or swimming.

Senior Dog Nutrition

Choose senior or low-calorie formulas with glucosamine, omega‑3s, and high fiber for joint and digestive health.