(Photo/Nature’s Recipe)

A History of Quality

The experts at Nature’s Recipe have spent 35 years working to ensure that they provide high-quality food that gives your pup everything they need to take on the day. Recipes from Nature’s Recipe do not contain things like:

• by-product meal
• corn and wheat
• artificial flavors and preservatives

Your dog deserves the real meat, chicken, and fish that can be found in the various formulas from Nature’s Recipe.

Multiple Options to Suit Your Pet’s Needs

Check out just a couple of the many options available from Nature’s Recipe. Other options include life-stage specific and original dry food options.

Grain-Free Dry Food

This grain-free dry dog food is suitable for all life stages and is available in multiple recipes, with real meat, chicken, or fish as the first ingredient. The balance of nutrients and lack of grains aims to make the food easier to digest for pups with sensitive stomachs.

Wet Food Options

Nature’s Recipe offers several options for wet food, including with-grain and grain-free options in a range of flavors. Variety packs are available in Original, Grain-Free, and Prime Blends so your pup can escape the monotony of having the same recipe every meal.

The post Nature’s Recipe Dog Food Puts Quality First appeared first on .

But what does this mean, and are grains and vegetables beneficial for your pooch?

We explore all the issues around the question – are dogs carnivores or omnivores? – and give you all you need to know to provide your pet with a balanced diet to help them thrive.

Are Dogs Carnivores or Omnivores?

There are three categories of diet for animals: carnivore, omnivore, and herbivore. And when it comes to canines, one category – the herbivore – can immediately be ruled out.

To be a herbivore, an animal will only eat plant material, and its physiology and anatomy will be adapted to eat and digest such a diet. Examples of herbivores include cows, rabbits, and horses.

By nature, domesticated dogs are not natural herbivores as they have evolved from meat-eating hunters. But that doesn’t necessarily mean they should exclusively eat a meat-only diet.

However, this is where a debate in the scientific and veterinary world has continued for many years, with discussions on whether domestic dogs are pure carnivores or omnivores by nature.

The crux of the matter is how well a canine can digest plant-based food as, unlike a cat which requires meat to survive, today’s domesticated dogs can also thrive on a diet that combines animal protein and plant-based ingredients.

But a dog’s digestive system doesn’t process plant materials as efficiently as meat, meaning that while they can be classified as an omnivore, a dog’s diet naturally leans towards the carnivore end of the spectrum!

Omnivore and Carnivore – The Difference Between the Two

Before we start exploring in more depth the ideal diet you should aim to feed your dog, we look at what omnivore and carnivore really mean and the key differences between the two.

Carnivore

Carnivore is Latin for ‘eating or feeding on flesh’ and relates to an animal that almost exclusively lives on a meat-based diet. True or obligate carnivore species include wolves, big wild cats (and domesticated cats), hyenas, and polar bears. And, as hunting animals, carnivores require energy and a protein-rich diet to support their highly active lifestyle.

One of the main differences between pure carnivores and omnivores is their teeth, which have evolved to match the diet they eat. Carnivores have sharp teeth to tear and shred raw meat and have a simple but effective up-and-down chewing action.

Carnivore doesn’t need to chew their food very much – just enough to send it down the esophagus – and they have a simpler digestive system than an omnivore and herbivore. This is because it is easier to extract nutrients from protein than plant matter, so carnivores have a shorter digestive tract.  They also have a specialized enzyme in their stomach that is specifically for digesting meat.

Omnivore

The word ‘omnivore’ derives from Latin, and in a simple translation, means “eats everything”. This means omnivores not only eat meat and animal-based proteins but fruits, vegetables, and grains as part of their everyday diet. Humans are prime examples of an omnivore.

The omnivore has a different jaw shape and chewing action to the carnivore to ensure they can chew and digest a wider range of food types. Unlike the carnivore, which has jaws that only move up and down to tear apart meat, true omnivores have both an up and down and sideways jaw movement for a more versatile chewing style.

The omnivore’s teeth are also adapted to their meat and a plant-based diet, with flat molars to support chewing plant material. However, omnivores can also have fang-like canine teeth, especially in a species such as the domesticated dog, which has evolved from a carnivore and still has a meat-rich diet.

The Modern Dog’s Digestive System

Considering the differences between carnivores and omnivores, we can now start to understand how the modern canine has changed from the wild wolf to the domestic pet we know and love today through dog evolution. And this can also help us to answer the question – are dogs obligate carnivores?

And at the heart of this answer is the development of the modern dog’s digestive system, which underpins the canine’s transition from hunting carnivore to meat and plant-eating pet.

How a modern dog eats and extracts all the essential energy and nutrients from its dog food is the result of how it has adjusted to more of an omnivore diet. This includes:

An Evolved Intestine

Intestinal length is the quickest way to identify an omnivore from a physiological perspective. As plants are more complex to digest than animal protein, an omnivore requires a longer digestive tract to give their system more time to do its job. This means a carnivore will have a shorter small intestine than an omnivore or herbivore.

As “obligate carnivores”, domestic cats have a shorter gastrointestinal tract than domestic canines. However, the interesting point is that a human’s intestine is much longer than a dog’s – averaging at between 5 and 7 meters, compared to 2-5 meters in a dog.

Essential Nutrients

There are also some core differences in the nutritional requirements of an omnivore compared to a carnivore. These include that carnivores require higher amounts of amino acids, arachidonic acid, and vitamin A, which they obtain from meat.

Omnivores, including dogs, can also create vitamin A from plant beta-carotene and arachidonic acid (polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acids) from vegetable oil.

Ability to Handle Grains

While some evidence points to the fact that wolves were also known to occasionally eat grains in the wild, new research has identified crucial genetic differences between the wolf and the domestic dog. And these differences mean the dog is more genetically disposed to starch and glucose digestion, both of which are found in grains.

Today’s modern dog has more of a specific gene called AMY2B, which helps break down food, particularly fibrous grains found in a starch-rich diet, by producing a substance called salivary amylase.

Domesticated dogs also have another gene that helps in starch digestion by breaking down the sugary starch maltose into the more digestible glucose, which is also used for energy.

Do Dogs Need to Eat Meat?

While their physiology is designed to eat and digest animal protein, as an omnivore, your dog doesn’t necessarily need meat to survive. That said, for optimum balanced nutrition for your pet, high-quality animal protein should be a key aspect of their daily diet to ensure that they remain in good health and thrive. And it has to be said that most dogs are drawn to and prefer a meat-based diet.

Animal protein provides your dog with essential amino acids for their skin, muscles, and joints and their energy supply. It is also easier for their system to digest. Meat also supports the body’s immune system and ability to repair itself.

Balanced, Complete Nutrition

A dog’s carnivore instincts remain strong; you only have to look at their canine teeth or how they devour their bone treat to see how eating meat is in their DNA. But due to dog domestication, the modern dog has also evolved to tolerate and benefit from other non-meat-based natural foods, such as plants, fruits, and vegetables.

Just look at the ingredient label on your pooch’s favorite dog food and see the variety of food deemed nutritious for canines. Yes, your dog requires protein for good health, but it doesn’t always have to be just meat, as non-meat proteins such as egg and soy can be used as alternatives.

And let’s not forget that many legumes and whole grains are good sources of those essential amino acids. And many dogs can easily digest grains – although, for more digestion or allergy-sensitive dogs, grains can be a red flag to avoid in their dog food.

The key to keeping your canine omnivore healthy and happy is a balanced, nutritious diet that caters to his instincts. And this means always ensuring you are feeding them well-formulated dog food that not only includes a high quality, preferably animal protein, as well as appropriate carbohydrates, good fats, and whole grains.

Are Dogs Omnivores or Carnivores – Conclusion

As pet parents, we want to give our dogs the best life, including providing the right diet to support their health and well-being. And, while it can be easy to assume that dogs are pure meat eaters, balanced and appropriate nutrition is the key to a long healthy life.

Your dog is at heart a meat eater, but it is more complex than that as their body has evolved to not just digest but benefit from plant-based ingredients too. This means your dog is generally considered an omnivore rather than a pure carnivore.

But it is important to remember that your dog requires high-quality protein as their food’s main ingredient. And as your pooch needs protein-based nutrients such as taurine and vitamin D for a healthy metabolism and immune system, animal-based protein will provide what he needs.

Most dogs prefer meat, but for complete and balanced nutrition, carbohydrates, fruit, vegetables, and appropriate plant-based ingredients should also feature in their daily diet.

No two dogs are the same, and age, health, and life stage can all contribute to how and what you feed them. So, if you doubt what you should be feeding your pet or are considering an alternative diet for your dog, always consult your veterinarian.

Sources:

1. Dietary profile of wild wolves. – National Library of Medicine
2. Guide to dog nutrition. – PetMD

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The Best Peanut Butter Brands for Dogs

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A general dog food won’t necessarily give the Yorkie all the nutrition they require as they need a balance of calories, protein, and carbs specifically tailored to a smaller breed. So, if you are unsure what you should be feeding your mini pooch then read on, as we bring you a selection of the best dog food for Yorkies.

A Glance at Our Favorites

Calories

First 5 Ingredients

Dry Matter Basis

Pros

Cons

Bottom Line

Rating

ORIJEN Regional Red Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

463 kcal/cup

Beef, Wild Boar, Goat, Lamb, Lamb Liver

Protein:32% Fat:20% Fiber:5%

Uses a variety of quality proteins, including organs for premium nutrition

Could be too rich for some Yorkie tums

A premium grain-free diet that mirrors a canine’s diet in the wild

4.4

Buy on Amazon

Diamond Naturals Small & Medium Breed Dry Dog Food

453 kcal/cup

Chicken, Chicken Meal, Ground White Rice, Chicken Fat

Protein:36% Fat:24% Fiber:4%

The dry kibble biscuits are super small so ideal for Yorkie puppies

Some ingredients could irritate more digestive-sensitive pups

An excellent source of protein and calories to support your active pup’s growth

4.6

Buy on Amazon

Nutro Natural Choice Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe

320 kcal/cup

Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Barley, Split Peas, Brewers Rice

Protein:29% Fat:16% Fiber:5%

Well-balanced nutritionally, with managed calories that work to support the older Yorkie

Contains grain so may not suit the more sensitive or picky eater

A great senior dog food for older Yorkies who need the nutrients and satisfaction but not as many calories

4.7

Buy on Amazon

Wellness Small Breed Complete Health Adult Turkey & Oatmeal Recipe

408 kcal/cup ME

Deboned Turkey, Chicken Meal, Salmon Meal, Oatmeal, Ground Brown Rice

Protein:31% Fat:17% Fiber:5%

Quality ingredients and added supplements to support your adult dog’s all-round health

The presence of whole grains may not be good for more sensitive pooches

An excellent everyday dog food that’s nutritionally balanced for adult Yorkies

4.5

Buy on Amazon

CANIDAE All Life Stages Chicken Dry Dog Food

506 kcal/cup

Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Brown Rice, Peas, Oatmeal

Protein:27% Fat:11% Fiber:5%

A cleverly formulated recipe that works with all life stages

Is a little lacking in some of the more age-targeted supplements

A great choice for the busy family that has more than one Yorkshire terrier in their pack

4.5

Buy on Amazon

Instinct Raw Boost Small Breed Grain-Free Recipe

469 kcal/cup

Chicken, Chicken Meal, Chickpeas, Tapioca, Chicken Fat

Protein:38% Fat:22% Fiber:5%

Intense meaty flavor and palatable texture makes it irresistible

You need to transition your picky pet onto this formula

Clever use of raw food principles for an effective way to bring your pet back to their food bowl

4.5

Buy on Amazon

Wild Appalachian Valley Small Breed Dog Food

422 kcal/cup

Venison, Lamb Meal, Garbanzo Beans, Peas, Lentils

Protein:36% Fat:20% Fiber:5%

Flavor-packed and nutritionally balanced specifically for small breeds

Limited choice in recipes and venison may not be to every Yorkies’ digestion

For a quality grain-free recipe with novel proteins, Taste of the Wild is an affordable choice

4.5

Buy on Amazon

Solid Gold Mighty Mini Lamb Toy & Small Breed Recipe

91 kcal/tray

Water Sufficient For Processing, Lamb, Chicken Liver, Whitefish, Sweet Potatoes

Protein:44% Fat:17% Fiber:6%

Rich, moist dog food that works well with picky eaters as well as senior dogs

The consistency can be a little too moist for some

Easy to eat and digest and packed with flavor, this is ideal for your wet dog food lover

3.6

Buy on Amazon

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food

380 KCAL/CUP

Protein:27% Fat:11% Fiber:5%

Protein:27% Fat:11% Fiber:5%

Targeted ingredients and no grain so a good choice for sensitive tums

Doesn’t include a probiotic

Simple, clean nutrition with the essential vitamins and minerals

4.6

Buy on Amazon

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Dry Dog Food

370 kcal/cup

Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Barley, Oatmeal

Protein:26% Fat:14% Fiber:7%

Small kibble size also helps to remove plaque and keep their older teeth clean

Does contain potential allergens, pea, and alfalfa

No fuss, straightforward, flavorsome nutrition that works to support your senior pet

4.5

Buy on Amazon

*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change

Key Takeaways:

1. As a toy breed, the Yorkshire Terrier has specific nutritional requirements to support their high energy levels
2. They need a higher calorie diet with a balance of quality animal protein, carbs, fiber, and good fats
3. Yorkies can be food sensitive, so a limited ingredient diet is a good consideration
4. The best dog food for Yorkies needs to cater to their small mouth and teeth, so look for either wet dog food or small dry kibble that they can easily chew and digest
5. Small breed puppies need more calories than senior dogs, who may need a higher amount of protein
6. To help sustain their energy levels, Yorkies often do better on several small meals a day

10 Best Dog Foods for Yorkies

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A Quick Overview of Our Favorites

The 5 Top Rated Rachael Ray Dog Food

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Can Dogs Eat Human Food?

Yes and no. It depends entirely on the food you’re wanting to feed them. Dogs naturally can handle fruits, vegetables, and meat better than anything else as it’s the type of food they would look for in the wild. But even they have their restrictions, as certain fruits and veg are poisonous and potentially lethal. Just like certain plants, barriers and mushrooms are lethal to humans. If you can help it, it’s best to avoid giving your dog processed human food anyway, as their metabolisms are built for natural food such as meat (even raw meat) and vegetables, which provide a wide range of health benefits.

Just like humans, dogs can eat something that might trigger food allergies you didn’t know they had. Something can be perfectly safe for one person to eat, but it could cause mild to severe illness or even death for another. So keep that in mind when trying your dog out with new people foods.

We all know some dogs are incorrigible when it comes to getting hold of food they know they shouldn’t have. If you’ve got a pup just like that or one that finds the underside of the dining table particularly comfortable at mealtimes, this guide should come in handy.

What Should I Do If My Dog Eats Something They Shouldn’t?

Before we go any further, you should know what to do should your dog ingest something they shouldn’t have. This could potentially save their life or at least prevent a much worse reaction from happening:

Remove Whatever They Are Eating

Do whatever you can to remove that food from their mouth, and remove your dog from the area, so they’re not tempted to return to the crime scene. If you need to remove the food from their mouth, be mindful of their reaction. You don’t want to cause them unnecessary stress or to put yourself in danger. Be gentle, and try to coax the food from them in a reassuring manner. Shouting at them will only startle them and potentially cause them to reflexively swallow the food more quickly.

Watch For Food Poisoning Symptoms

The severity of their reaction will depend on how much they have eaten and what exactly they ate. It’s worth noting that they can take up to 12 hours to manifest themselves. So be sure to monitor them constantly in the 12-24 hours following eating whatever they got a hold of. Any of the following symptoms will be clear indicators that something isn’t right:

• Gagging or vomiting
• Shivering or shaking
• Difficulty breathing
• Coughing
• Lack of appetite
• Lethargy or muscle weakness
• Disinterest in interacting
• Irritability/standoffishness
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Changes in normal behavior

Call Your Veterinarian

A vet is the best person to take a look over your dog and determine the severity of their reaction. Call your veterinarian immediately to seek professional advice if you are concerned about your dog’s behavior or symptoms. If they are closed, contact the local emergency veterinary services. If you’re unable to get ahold of the emergency services and incapable of leaving the house, you can call the Pet Poison Hotline at 855-764-7661 or contact the Animal Poison Control line at (888) 426-4435.

*These hotlines do have a cost per minute, so be sure to check how much it will be so that you can ensure you will be able to afford the call and that you have your payment method to hand.

What Human Food CAN Dogs Eat

Nuts, Seed & Spices

• Peanut Butter: Peanut butter is one of the better-known human foods suitable for dogs. Peanut butter doesn’t only make an excellent snack but can also be used to coax difficult dogs into taking their medication by sticking the tablet into a spoonful of peanut butter and letting your pooch lick it off. Just stick with unsalted peanut butter where possible, and never use one that contains macadamia nuts. Find out more about Dog Safe Peanut Butter Treats.
• Peanuts: To be clear – peanuts are absolutely fine. This does not include any other nuts, nor should you give your dog mixed nuts or flavored/salted peanuts. Especially salty foods are difficult for dogs to process, so stick to totally plain peanuts. Also, be mindful that they are naturally fatty, so use them in moderation. For a detailed explanation, check out Can Dogs Eat Peanuts.
• Quinoa: Quinoa is often used in high-quality dog food, so it is not toxic to dogs. This is another thing that maybe doesn’t make an excellent snack on its own. However, it can be used to top your dog’s dinner with something fresh and tasty. It is also a great alternative for wheat, soy, and corn.
• Wheat/Grains: Funnily enough, yes. Dogs can eat wheat and grains. There is a misconception that most dogs require grain-free diets. However, grain-free is only required for dogs that experience grain/wheat allergies. Grains offer protein and carbohydrates for energy and are fine for dogs to eat unless advised otherwise.
• Cashews: Cashews are just fine for dogs to eat and can provide a few health benefits, like a strengthened immune system and better recovery, thanks to magnesium, antioxidants, and protein. Though they are quite fatty, try not to feed your dog too many. And avoid salted cashews.

Proteins

• Eggs: Dogs can eat both cooked eggs and raw eggs. When cooked, they can settle an upset stomach and are a great source of protein. Raw eggs help to support healthy skin and coats, though they also run the same risk of causing salmonella in dogs as in humans. So please calculate the risk before letting your dog have some.
• Pork: Pork is an extremely easy-to-digest protein. It contains lots of amino acids, which are known to help improve a bad mood. As well as being the least likely protein to cause an allergic reaction in pets that eat it. The only downside to pork is that it has the highest calorie per pound ratio.
• Salmon: So long as it is properly cooked throughout, salmon is extremely healthy for dogs. It’s high in protein, amino acids, and good fats, which promote healthy brain function, strong joints, and a boosted immune system. Just always ensure that it is cooked thoroughly before serving it up, as raw salmon can lead to salmon poisoning disease.
• Shrimp: Shrimp is absolutely fine for your dog. But just like any shellfish, it needs to be thoroughly cooked. You must also ensure you’ve removed the legs, tail, and head. It is a low-fat treat that provides plenty of phosphorus, B12, and antioxidants and is the perfect size for a quick treat.
• Tuna: Tuna is safe for dogs, as you can probably tell by the fact that it is often used in canine food recipes. However, it is carefully balanced in dog food formulas. If you’re giving your dog canned tuna, you should do so sparingly. It may be a fantastic source of omega 3, but the brine from the can contains mercury and sodium, which can upset your dog’s digestive system.
• Turkey: The chances are there has been turkey in your dog’s diet at some point in its life, as it is often used alongside other proteins in commercial pooch foods. So it is perfectly safe for dogs to eat. But don’t ever let your dog have cooked turkey containing bones, as it is extremely dangerous. Also, avoid feeding your dog raw meat turkey as a general rule.
• Chicken: Chicken, like turkey, is a staple in the canine food industry. Though it needs to be cooked, raw chicken can make your dog sick or cause digestive problems. When cooked thoroughly, it makes the ideal training treat. Simply chop the cooked chicken into chunks, ready to use as a tasty reward.
• Beef: Perhaps the best-known protein for dogs is beef. It contains plenty of iron, vitamins, and minerals to keep your dog strong and maintain overall health. Dogs can even enjoy raw meat! Ensure that you don’t use any seasoning on it, not even salt, as it can cause a negative reaction.

Dairy Products

• Cheese: Though some dogs may have trouble digesting dairy products, they are not impossible for them to eat. The difficulty stems from lactose intolerant dogs rather than the fact that they are canines. So cheese shouldn’t be a problem. Though try and stick to low-fat to avoid unwanted weight gain. You can even get dog cheese for lactose intolerant pups.
• Milk: Another of many dairy products that dogs should have no issues consuming, provided they are not lactose intolerant (as intolerance can cause stomach pain). Though there’s no real need to feed your dog milk, it’s not forbidden and can be used as an occasional treat or change of pace.
• Plain Yogurt: Plain yogurt is quite safe for dogs and can help to strengthen your pup’s digestive system thanks to the active bacteria and probiotics inside it. Just be sure not to feed them any standard flavored yogurts, as they will not affect your dog’s blood sugar levels or teeth.
• Cottage Cheese: Cottage cheese is definitely the riskier dairy to give to your pup. They can eat it, but this particular food is also at higher risk of causing a reaction such as diarrhea or nausea. As a result, we’d suggest no more than a couple of spoonfuls a day at most.

Carbohydrates

• Honey: Honey is chock full of vitamins and minerals for dogs to eat. Small amounts introduced into your dog’s diet can help to reduce seasonal allergies by bringing pollen into your pup’s system. It can also be applied to burns and superficial cuts as a topical treatment.
• Popcorn: Giving plain, unsalted, unflavored popcorn to dogs to eat provides them with thiamine, iron, protein, and riboflavin, which all help to maintain your pup’s eye health, strength, and digestion. Be very careful to remove any runaway corn kernels beforehand, as they can be a choking hazard.
• Oatmeal: Like all other people’s foods on this list, plain in key. Plain oatmeal gives your dog a healthy dose of fiber to maintain their digestive system while also topping them up with minerals and vitamins for healthy development. The real risk is weight gain, so feed your dog in moderation.
• Rice: Thoroughly cooked, plain brown or white rice is perfectly acceptable for dogs and can even help to alleviate stomach pain and digestive trouble. It can even be mixed with a simple, plain protein like chicken or turkey to settle your dog’s stomach during sickness or as an occasional treat.

What Human Food CAN’T Dogs Eat

Nuts, Seed & Spices

• Almonds: The major threat with almonds is the damage they can cause if your dog doesn’t chew or swallow its food properly. They can cause blockage of the esophagus, as well as potentially tearing ar the windpipe. Additionally, you should avoid feeding salted almonds to your dog as salt can be quite damaging in its own right.
• Cinnamon: Both the spice itself and the oils it contains can cause severe irritation to the inside of your pup’s mouth. This can result in sickness and stomach cramps. It can also cause low blood sugar, leading to severe reactions such as decreased heart rate and liver failure. Cinnamon dust can also cause respiratory problems. For more information on this topic, check out our in-depth article here.
• Garlic: Garlic is part of the Allium family, along with chives, onions, and leeks. However, garlic is particularly dangerous because it is five times more toxic than the others. It can be the cause of anemia as well as weakness, lethargy, cramping, and bloat, which is potentially lethal.
• Macadamia Nuts: You should be extremely careful never to let your dog eat macadamia nuts. Macadamia nuts are one of the most poisonous people foods you can give to your pup. Macadamia nuts can cause a fever, vomiting, extreme weakness, and even hurt the nervous system. Never feed your dog macadamia nuts.
• Nutmeg: Nutmeg contains a toxic compound that can cause increased heart rate, disorientation, dry mouth, high blood pressure, and even seizures. As a result, nutmeg, and food containing nutmeg, should never be left within reach of your dog, as the negative side effects are severe.
• Hops: Leaving a beer out where the dog can get to it can be easily done on a hot day. But you must keep it out of reach, as hops, a key ingredient in beer brewing, can be highly toxic to dogs. Should your dog consume hops, they could become severe, or potentially fatally, ill.

Proteins

• Gammon: Gammon is extremely salty and fatty. Two things you don’t want to be giving your dog an excessive amount of. A lot of salt can lead to sodium ion poisoning, and too much fat can cause unhealthy weight gain. Small amounts are okay, but gammon should be avoided where possible.
• Ham: Ham shared very similar traits to gammon in that it is fatty and salty. Should your dog consume too much, the potential poisoning from too much salt can cause dehydration, confusion, convulsion, coma, or even death. Try sticking with the low-sodium meats for your pooch.
• Fat Trimming: Both cooked and uncooked fat trimmings are not ideal for your pup. Most dogs will enjoy being given fat trimmings as an occasional treat. But don’t make a habit, as too much fat can lead to pancreatitis, which causes severe diarrhea, dehydration, and stomach cramps.
• Liver: Most dogs are fine with living in small amounts. But you should avoid giving it to your dog too often, as the high amounts of vitamin A in the liver can tip the scales in the wrong direction and begin to cause adverse effects on your dog’s joints and result in gastrointestinal problems.

Dairy

• Chocolate: Chocolate is probably one of the better-known human foods you should avoid feeding your dog. If your dog eats chocolate, you need to get them looked at by a vet immediately. The toxicity of chocolate can cause irregular heart function, seizures, or even death. So keep it well out of reach.
• Ice Cream: As refreshing as it may be in hot weather, there are other ways to cool your dog down than letting them have ice cream. It is relatively safe for dogs, but the sugar content can harm their dental health. Additionally, the dairy content could be problematic for lactose intolerant pups.
• Blue Cheese: If you’re going to let your dog have cheese, we’d suggest keeping away from blue cheese. Many dogs are sensitive to the substance produced by ripe blue cheese (Roquefortine C), which can make them quite ill. Additionally, you should avoid blue cheese with relatively high salt content.

Carbohydrates

• Sugar: Any processed sugar should be avoided. Natural sugar is not so problematic. However, you’ll also want to keep the amount of high-sugar fruit you give your dog relatively low. Sugar can lead to dental problems, diabetes, and obesity. Problems are difficult and often expensive to rectify.
• Yeast: Yeast can expand in your dog’s stomach, causing excessive gas, bloating, and discomfort for your pup. Should your dog consume too much of anything that contains (or even raw yeast), it runs the risk of causing a rupture in its stomach or intestines, potentially fatal. Additionally, the release of ethanol from yeast into their bloodstream can lead to alcohol poisoning.
• Chips and Pretzels: Salty snack foods are a definite no for dogs. This includes chips, pretzels, salted popcorn, and salted nuts. Too much salt can cause serious damage to your dog’s body, leading to lifelong residual effects. Excessive salt can be fatal, so keep your dog away from snacks.
• Bread: If your dog eats bread, they do not gain anything from it. It doesn’t offer health benefits, nor does it have any nutritional value. So while a small amount of bread is okay for dogs, it doesn’t serve much purpose. If anything, it has the potential to give them a stomach ache and wind.

Other

Alcohol: Never give your dog alcohol. Alcohol is a known poison, and ethanol poisoning in dogs can have severe side effects such as seizures, coma, heart attacks, respiratory failure, or could be fatal. This means keeping your dog away from alcoholic beverages and anything containing them.

Caffeine: Caffeine is a strong stimulant that should be avoided. Much like it does with humans, it can cause hyperactivity, headache, an elevated heart rate, tremors, respiratory problems, vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures. This goes for all caffeinated foods and beverages. So keep them away from your dog.

Tobacco: Nicotine, the core substance in tobacco, is lethal to dogs. It can invoke an abnormal heartbeat, tremors, fitting, vomiting, lethargy, and weakness. Tobacco poisoning is relatively fast-acting, and symptoms typically manifest within an hour of consumption.

Marijuana: THC, which is in marijuana, is a psychoactive chemical. Even small amounts of THC can be highly toxic for dogs. The symptoms include dribbling urine, irregular heart rate, slow responses, hyperactivity, lethargy, coma, and death. With marijuana becoming legal in more and more places, the danger of accidental marijuana consumption is growing.

Cooked Bones: If you’re giving your dog cooked meat, always ensure that every bone has been removed. Equally, never give your dog discarded cooked bones as they can splinter, causing serious damage to your dog’s mouth, throat, and digestive system. It also presents an extreme choking hazard should it get stuck on the way down.

Chewing Gum: Just as humans shouldn’t swallow it, neither should dogs. Gum is a serious hazard, with the possibility of your dog choking on it and the severe intestinal blockage it could cause. Constipation can affect your dog’s health, so keep gum far out of their reach.

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Keeping your Chihuahua at the peak of physical and mental wellness involves lots of stimulation, exercise, and the right food. However, with so many types and brands available, knowing what to feed them can be tricky. Luckily, that’s where we come in. Here are five of the best dog foods chosen by our panel of pet lovers and Chihuahua experts.

The 5 Top-Rated Dog Foods for Chihuahuas

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Royal Canin is a well-known pet food brand that offers a wide range of dry and wet food formulas to cater to all life stages as well as a range of dog breeds and health-related needs. So far, so good. However, despite the versatility of the Royal Canin range, not all its ingredients are of premium quality and most of their dry dog foods contain grains and gluten which can be an issue for many pets.

We lift the lid on Royal Canin and its dry dog food range to help you decide if this is the best brand for your precious pooch.

Key Takeaways:

• In business for over 50 years, the Royal Canin dog food range comes in three formulas – size, breed, and veterinary diet
• The breed range focuses on tailoring nutrition to the specific health and physical needs of different pure breeds
• Many formulas in the Royal Canin Veterinary Diet range will require a vet prescription
• Many of the Royal Canin recipes only use by-product meals and not whole meat
• They also include corn in many formulas as well as wheat gluten
• The company has had three product recalls in the US in recent years

A Quick Overview of the Royal Canin Dog Foods

Calories

Pros

Cons

Bottom line

Rating

Royal Canin Small/Petit Adult Formula

359 kcal/cup

Tasty small dog meal that’s easy to digest

Some of the ingredients are not premium quality

Calorie balanced but expensive for an average-rated product

4.7

Buy on Chewy

Royal Canin Small Puppy Dry Dog Food

354 kcal/cup

size-appropriate and added prebiotics to aid digestion

The protein source is a by-product, not whole meat

Not the cheapest puppy food out there considering the ingredients

4.8

Buy on Chewy

Royal Canin Medium Adult Dry Dog Food

340 kcal/cup

The kibble has been shaped to encourage chewing

Does contain both wheat and corn gluten

A digestible dry dog food product, however, it doesn't contain whole meat

4.6

Buy on Chewy

Royal Canin Health Nutrition Small Adult 8+ Dog Food

343 kcal/cup

Easy to digest and helps older pooches manage their weight

The kibble could be a little softer or older mouths

While it offers targeted nutrition, the quality of ingredients could be better

4.9

Buy on Amazon

Royal Canin Bulldog Adult Formula Dog Food

277 kcal/cup

Designed for the unique bulldog muzzle and gassy issues

Despite the price, doesn't contain whole protein

Corn-free, breed-specific formula to reduce those bulldog tummy issues

4.7

Buy on Amazon

Royal Canin Health Nutrition Small Weight Care Food

259 kcal/cup

Easy-to-digest fiber and L-carnitine to help manage your pup's weight

Some ingredients can be an issue for digestive-sensitive small dogs

An expensive product that contains only average quality protein

4.8

Buy on Amazon

Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Shih Tzu Adult Dry Dog Food

355 kcal/cup

Small kibble shaped for this mini breed's mouth

The recipe does contain gluten

A carb-heavy formula that's on the pricy side for the pack size

4.7

Buy on Chewy

Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Large Adult Dry Dog Food

360 kcal/cup

Crunchy kibble for the biggest appetites

Contains gluten and some fillers which can irritate

A good balance of calories, but the protein could be a better quality

4.6

Buy on Chewy

10 Royal Canin HP Hypoallergenic Dog Food

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Can help to reduce skin allergies and digestive upsets

As a prescription product it is on the expensive side

Low-allergy food that is appropriate for both adults and pups

4.6

Buy on Amazon

The post Royal Canin Dog Food Review – Tailored Nutrition for Your Pooch appeared first on .

It’s no wonder that there is so much confusion about choosing the best diet for your dog! To help you out, we’ve prepared a no-nonsense guide on how to choose a dog food with grains for your pooch.

The 10 Top-Rated Grain Inclusive Dog Foods

The post The Best Dog Food With Grain in 2022 appeared first on .