The optimum diet for most pets will be a combination of wet and dry foods. That said, so long as your dog drinks enough water, a solely dry food diet is fine.
Fortunately for pet owners, dogs are just fine eating dry dog food. While many pets prefer wet dog food, because it is more palatable, that doesn't mean that dry food isn't a healthy option for dogs.
Because both wet and dry diets contain all the nutrients your furry friend needs, mixing foods isn't a necessity for most dogs in good health. However, if you have the time and money, go for it! By mixing wet and dry you get the best of both worlds!
Although dog food is edible, it's not a good idea to make it a regular part of your diet on a long-term basis. Humans have different nutritional needs than dogs, and dog food doesn't contain all the nutrients your body needs to stay healthy.
Sometimes, vets will recommend specific dog foods, or sometimes people food, to help your dog get healthy or stay in shape. That being said, there's no evidence to support that your dog will live longer if you forgo the dry kibble and opt in for just human foods.
While we can't know exactly what a dog is thinking, it certainly seems as though dogs can get bored of their kibble or wet food. Anecdotally, my dogs do appear to get somewhat bored of their kibble. When it's the same exact bag of kibble, meal after meal, they start to eat it with less enthusiasm.
The optimum diet for most pets will be a combination of wet and dry foods. That said, so long as your dog drinks enough water, a solely dry food diet is fine.
Generally speaking, wet food is better for dogs than dry food. Wet food has fewer carbohydrates, which are difficult for dogs to digest, and more water, which keeps dogs hydrated. As we've said time and again when discussing training techniques, breed standards and best dog parent practices, every pup is an individual.
Dogs don't experience food the same way humans do. While people easily get bored of food, dogs have only a fraction of the taste buds humans have, which means they don't crave new tastes the same way people do.
Additionally, the dogs fed a fresh whole food diet produced up to 66% less poop than when eating kibble.
Many vets recommend kibble overall because a lot of big-name companies are paying them to push their product, and that's just as simple as that. And it's convenient for a person to grab some dry kibble, put it in a bowl, and let their dog eat it instead of letting that thaw, natural diet on their counter.
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.
Fish—salmon and sardines are especially good for dogs. Eggs—as long as they are cooked. Cheeses—cottage cheese and hard cheeses in moderation are safe. Yogurt—an acceptable snack in moderation.
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.
Many dog foods contain fish because it is high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. But can dogs eat tuna? The answer is no. You shouldn't feed your canine companion the saltwater fish because it could lead to a number of different health problems.
Dry food or kibble has ingredients that vary by brand, but all are required to be balanced and meet the nutritional needs of a dog. Under USDA regulation, “all animal foods must be safe to eat, produced under sanitary conditions, contain no harmful substances, and be truthfully labeled.”
No. Dogs actually have fewer taste receptors compared to humans. That means they have less of an urge to eat something different every day. So your dog will not get bored of eating the same food every day.
Many dogs won't eat if they're not feeling well, especially if they're suffering from intestinal or dental issues, so you should visit your veterinarian to make sure nothing's wrong. But if your dog eats other kinds of food (like wet food or snacks) and refuses to touch his dry food, it may mean he's a picky eater.
Per calorie, dry kibble has both a lower volume and weight than canned wet food, making it easier to store. Bags of kibble require less packaging than cans of food, leading to less garbage created. Many types of toys for both cats and dogs make use of kibble or dry extruded treats.
Veterinarian Dr. Jeff Werber says he likes Royal Canin because the brand has a positive track record and a trusted name, and its products are readily available. He told us he has always been a fan of mixed feeding, meaning providing a little of both dry and wet foods.
While popular, vets generally don't recommend making your own raw dog food because of the risk of bacterial contamination or possible public health risks. If your dog has any medical issues, consult with a vet or veterinary nutritionist to make sure the homemade diet works for your pet.
Vitamin supplementation: There's been a long-standing theory that dogs eat poop because they are missing something in their diets, so a dog multivitamin could be helpful. Vitamin-B deficiency, in particular, has been a prime suspect, and studies have backed this up.