Dog Health Problems

Below you will find the most common questions asked about what foods dogs can and can’t eat.  We share our lives with our pets so it’s not surprising that we like to share a lot of our food with them.  Unfortunately, it’s not always safe to give dogs the same things we eat. There are even some foods that can kill your dog if he eats them.  This is where you can find out if it’s safe to give your dog peanuts or carrots or other foods.

People also have questions about how much they should feed their dog and what puppies should eat.  You’ll find the answers to those questions here, too.

It’s always possible that your dog may eat something that’s not on this list.  You may be concerned about something that your dog has eaten.  If it’s an emergency you should always contact your veterinarian, of course.  But if you have other questions about foods that you don’t see here, we’ll be glad to investigate and provide an answer about foods that dogs should and shouldn’t eat.

What kind of food can dogs eat?

Dogs are carnivores by nature.  That means that they are physically designed to hunt and eat meat.  However, they have long been adapted to scavenging.  This means that they are able to eat more than just meat.  In the wild, canids can eat lots of different kinds of food they find.  In fact, scientists theorize that this may be how wolves were domesticated and became partners with humans.  They may have been attracted by the food remains left by humans at campsites.  They liked the garbage people left behind.  Gradually the bolder wolves may have come closer to humans and eventually formed a friendship.

Today dogs still need plenty of meat protein in their diet.  This can be supplied by a good quality kibble, by canned food, or by semi-moist food in packets.  Some people cook for their dogs, and some people feed their dogs a raw diet. In these cases the owners need to make sure that the food is nutritionally balanced to meet the needs of the dogs.  Pet food companies usually put a lot of money and research into trying to make sure that their foods are nutritionally balanced.  So, dogs can eat commercial dog food, homemade food, a balanced raw diet, and healthy treats and snacks.

You should be careful about giving your dog tablescraps.  A few, occasionally, won’t usually harm your dog, but if you make it a habit they can interfere with the nutritional balance of a commercial diet, as well as adding extra pounds to your dog.  You should also avoid feeding your dog any cooked bones as they can splinter and puncture your dog’s gastrointestinal tract.  Raw bones are fine as long as you make sure your dog doesn’t eat too fast and choke on them.  Raw bones are usually soft and dogs love them.  They are good for a dog’s teeth.

What foods can dogs not eat?

Dogs have a reputation of getting into garbage and eating anything they find, but actually, there are quite a few things that can cause gastric upset in dogs.  Here is a list of things that dogs should NOT eat:

• Alcohol
• Avocado pits
• Chocolate
• Caffeine
• Grapes and raisins
• Macadamia nuts
• Marijuana
• Mushrooms
• Onions and garlic in large amounts*
• Sugar
• Tobacco
• Xylitol (found in sugarless chewing gum, human toothpaste, and some other products)

*You will sometimes find onions and garlic included as ingredients in dog food or dog food recipes.  Some people give garlic as a daily supplement.  Small amounts of these ingredients probably won’t harm your dog.  However, if your dog eats them in large amounts they can be dangerous.

These are the most prominent things you should keep away from your dog.  You should also use common sense and not give your dog things to eat like salt or moldy food or garbage.  Your dog is not a garbage disposal so don’t give him things to eat that should be tossed out.

Can dogs die from eating chocolate?

The short answer is yes.  The longer answer is, it depends.  Dark chocolate is much more dangerous than milk chocolate.  And it will also depend on the size and weight of your dog.  Small dogs are at greater risk than larger dogs.  So, a large dog that eats a small amount of milk chocolate may not show much effect from eating the chocolate.  However, a small dog that eats some dark chocolate could possibly die.  The safest thing to do is to keep all chocolate products completely out of reach of your dog at all times.  Be especially careful around Halloween, Easter, and other holidays where chocolate candies are commonly out where dogs could eat them.

How much food should a dog eat?

There are two ways to determine how much food you should feed your dog.  The simplest way is to use the recommendations given by the food you are feeding.  Bags of kibble, for example, provide a feeding chart that tell you if your dog weighs xx number of pounds you should feed a certain number of cups of food.  That is usually a good starting point for feeding your dog.  You can then adjust the food according to changes in your dog’s condition, adding or subtracting food from his daily meals.

The other way of determining how much to feed your dog involves a little math.  You can convert your dog’s weight in pounds into kilograms by dividing it by 2.2 pounds.  (2.2 pounds = 1 kilogram)  So, a 20 pound dog weighs 9.09 kilograms.  In order to figure your dog’s daily caloric needs you can use the formula Daily Calories = Body Weight (kg) x 30 + 70.  So, in this case the answer will be 9.09 x 30 + 70 = 342.73 Daily Calories for the 20 pound dog.  Once you know how many calories per day your dog needs, you can check the label of your dog food to find out how many calories are in each cup and divide up your dog’s meals as needed.  Of course, each dog is different.  Dogs have different metabolic rates, so your dog may need a little more or less than this amount of calories, but this should give you a good idea of how many calories your dog needs per day.  Note, this is PER DAY, not per meal.

Most good quality dog food kibbles contain around 300-500 calories per cup so this should give you some idea of how much you should be feeding your dog per day.

When can puppies eat solid food?

Puppies are born without any teeth at all and spend about the first three weeks of their life nursing from their mother.  They can start drinking some milk replacer or goat’s milk when they are about three week’s old.  Breeder’s usually begin mixing some finely-ground puppy food in with the milk when the puppies are three to four weeks old.  At first the mixture is very milky and the puppies may fall into it and play in it, but in just a few days they are starting to eat it.  Gradually the breeder makes the mix firmer, with less milk and more puppy food.  By the time the puppies are about seven weeks old they are eating solid puppy food.  By this time their mother has also weaned them.  Puppies who go to their new homes when they are eight weeks or older will be able to eat sold food without any problems.

Can dogs eat pork?

It’s fine to feed your dog pork.  It is no more harmful to dogs than feeding them chicken or lamb.  People who feed their dogs raw diets even include pork among the meats they feed. Pork protein is even included in some very good dog foods.

Can dogs eat cheese?

Yes, most dogs can eat cheese, in moderation.  Feeding your dog too much cheese can cause stomach upsets so you should give cheese to your dog with caution until you see if he can tolerate it.  Cheese can provide your dog with some good nutrients such as protein, calcium, vitamin A and B-complex vitamins, and some essential fatty acids.  You can use cheese as a good way to hide a pill or other medication your dog needs to take.

If your dog is lactose intolerant he may have bloating, diarrhea, and flatulence.  He could become constipated.  Different kinds of cheese have different amounts of lactose so your dog may be able to tolerate some kinds of cheese better than others.

Can dogs eat garlic?

There is often a great deal of confusion about whether or not you should give a dog garlic.  Some web sites state that you should not feed a dog garlic, while other sites and books state that you can use garlic to keep fleas away, as a wormer, and for other purposes.  Garlic belongs in the onion family and if you give your dog too much it is suspected of affecting the iron in a dog’s blood.  Onions and garlic have been linked to hemolytic anemia which is often fatal in dogs.  So, while it is probably safe to give your dog a small dose of garlic each day if you are using it as a supplement of some kind, you should not give your dog large amounts of garlic.

Why do dogs eat cat poop?

Dogs eat cat poop for several reasons.  First, there are some dogs who like to engage in poop eating and they don’t care where the poop comes from.  These dogs may have a nutrient deficiency.  They could be bored.  They could have a problem with anxiety.  So, poop eating in this case can be due to a health problem or a behavior problem.

Some dogs eat cat poop in particular because cats eat cat food and dogs love cat food.  It has a much higher protein percentage than dog food, as well as flavors that attract dogs.  So, when the cat passes the cat food in their poop, many dogs find it irresistible.

If you have a cat litter box in your home then chances are that your dog views it as a snack stand.  He would love to have a chance to raid it whenever possible.  So, try to place the litter box in a room where your dog can’t get to it.  Otherwise your dog is going to have stinky cat litter breath all the time.

Can dogs eat peanuts?

Absolutely yes!  Dogs can eat peanuts.  Peanuts are regularly used to make peanut butter and peanut butter is frequently used to make dog cookies, cakes, and other snacks for dogs.  Peanut oil is widely used in dog foods.  You can give your dog peanuts that have been removed from the shells.  It’s best not to give your dog peanuts in the shells since the shells are a fibrous material that are harder to digest.

Some dogs can become allergic to peanuts just as humans can.  If your dog is allergic to peanuts then you should obviously not give him peanuts or any products that contain peanuts.  However, peanuts allergies appear to be infrequent in dogs.

You should not, however, give your dog macadamia nuts.

What do puppies eat?

Puppies eat different things at different stages of their lives.  When they are first born, and for the first few weeks, puppies derive all of their nutrition from their mother by nursing. When they are about three weeks old it is normal for the breeder to start giving the puppies some milk replacer or goat’s milk.  This is soon mixed with finely-ground puppy food. This formula is gradually made more solid, with less milk, so the puppies will start eating a more solid diet.  By the time the puppies are about seven weeks old they are eating a solid puppy food.  They can continue to eat this puppy food when they go to their new homes between eight and 12 weeks of age.

Puppies can continue to eat this puppy food as they grow.  As they start to reach their full size the owner can start to mix their food with an adult food.  This usually occurs when the puppy is between six and nine months of age for most dogs.  By the time the puppy is about a year old they should be eating an adult food.

Puppies should not be encouraged to grow to quickly.  Slow growth is best.  Puppies that grow too fast are more likely to have joint problems later and may have problems with hip dysplasia.  You should also try to keep your puppy on the lean side.  Overweight puppies can also have health problems later as adults.

Can dogs eat potatoes?

Yes, dogs can eat potatoes, though not as a single source of food.  You should be careful not to feed your dog any potatoes that have any mold or green coloring on them as this is a sign of solanine which is a toxin.  Potatoes are frequently being used in some dog foods today in place of grains for dogs who have allergies.  They provide a starch in the dog’s diet without using grains for dogs that are sensitive to allergens in the grains.

Can dogs eat carrots?

Yes, dogs can eat carrots.  They are very healthy for dogs and make a wonderful, healthy, and low calorie snack.  They are high in vitamin A and have lots of beta-carotene which is believed to be great for the eyes.  Even a dog’s eyes may benefit from beta-carotene.  Carrots also have lots of soluble fiber, which is good for dogs.  Carrots are full of anti-oxidants which help ward off the effects of old age.  And, if your dog needs to lose weight, carrots are a great way to help fill him up without adding calories.  Add some carrots to his food and he will have a full tummy without adding pounds.  Carrots are also great for your dog’s teeth. Dogs can munch raw carrots like bones.

Related posts:

• Frequently Asked Questions about Common Dog Health Problems
• Can Dogs Eat Cat Food?
• My Dogs Eat Grass And Poop: Is There Something Wrong With Them?
• Can Dogs Eat Fruits?: Apples, Grapes, Bananas, Strawberries
• Can Dogs Eat Popcorn?