Nutrition is a keystone in the health of our pets and is often overlooked when treating chronic medical conditions. We take for granted that our pets are getting everything they need in our store-bought dog foods and don’t think to give them anything extra.
Owners often proudly say to me that their dogs get the best food and “no people food.” It is part of my job to gently dispel that myth and make people feel comfortable with feeding some healthy “people food” to their dogs. After all, what is commercial dog food but processed people food mixed with synthetic vitamins and other additives?
But before you go sharing your lunch with your furry companion, consider what kind of people food you’re consuming. Generally speaking, whatever is bad for us is also not good for our pets. Heavily fried or processed foods, for instance, do not constitute a healthy diet for humans or canines. So here’s the first rule of thumb: If the ingredient list of a particular food has more synthetic ingredients than actual food ingredients, don’t give it to your pet.
Also, due to the high volume of genetically-modified grains found in our food supply, I generally steer people away from feeding pets wheat, corn, or soy, as they are the most likely to be genetically-modified. While the jury is still out on the long-term health effects of GMOs, I believe it’s wise to err on the side of caution.
So what can you feed your dog to supplement his daily diet? Most vegetables (yams, squash, broccoli, asparagus, greens, carrots, pumpkin, etc.), fruits (blueberries, watermelons, melons, apples, etc.), meats (chicken, beef, turkey, fish etc.), eggs, and some dairy products (yogurt and kefir) are healthy additions to whatever diet you are regularly feeding your pet. They will add variety as well as wholesome nutrients and be a welcome treat for most pets.
Due to toxicity concerns, foods to avoid include grapes, raisins, onions, and chocolate. Other than these four (and, for some dogs, garlic), most people foods are well tolerated. Pay attention for any sign of digestive upset or allergies, though, as every animal is an individual and yours might not tolerate certain foods. Through trial and error you can learn which foods your dog tolerates and which ones might cause a problem. The most common signs of intolerance include vomiting, diarrhea, and itchy skin or ears.
How important is it to supplement your dog’s diet with fresh, whole foods? Well, if you think about it, dogs have been eating the same foods as their human companions for thousands of years. Commercial dog food has only been around for the last 50 to 60 years and was created as a convenience, not as a superior nutritional substitute for “real” food. Not supplementing your dog’s diet with fresh foods would be like feeding your child nothing but processed cereal his whole life. Sure, he would survive, but he certainly would not thrive.
Just like with people nutrition, science has identified the minimal nutrient requirements for our pets’ survival, but we do not know the optimal levels. Furthermore, just because a vitamin is on the label does not mean that it is bioavailable; in other words, in a form the animal can absorb. Also, during food processing the high temperatures may alter the vitamin content of the food. For all these reasons and more, I highly encourage owners to add fresh, whole foods to enhance the nutritional value of their dogs’ diets. There are nutritional supplements on the market, but feeding your dog synthetic vitamins is more likely to cause adverse health effects than adding whole foods.
To sum up, there are many ways to go when feeding pets. You might choose dry kibble, commercial canned food, raw and/or home-cooked – each option has its pluses and minuses. No matter which way you go, I highly encourage you to also provide your canine companions with as many fresh, whole foods as your time and budget allow.
If dogs could talk, I’m sure they would thank you for it.
Magda Szyrmer is a veterinarian at the San Francisco integrative veterinary clinic on West Portal, Healthy Pets (sfhealthypets.com). She is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania veterinary school and trained in acupuncture, Chinese medicine, and other holistic treatment modalities for animals. Dr. Magda will be offering holistic veterinary consultations and examinations at Holistic Hound beginning September 6th.
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