People Food, Pet Food That is Good for Dogs, Cats – A Guide

 

In this article:

1.0 Introduction

1. A Comprehensive Guide
2. People Food – is it Really Bad for Your Dog and Cat?
3. Pet Food – is it Really Good for Dogs and Cats?

2.0 Harmful Foods

 

1.0 Introduction

  

1.1 A Comprehensive Guide

The foods covered in this article include:

• ‘People’ Foods
• Whole foods
• Processed foods
• Additives
• Pet Foods, Pet Treats
• Whole Foods
• Processed Foods
• Ingredients
• Hidden ingredients
• Additives

1.2 People Food – is it Really Bad for Your Dog and Cat?

‘People’ food is a term that many people use – veterinarians included. A lot of people are under the impression that people food is bad for dogs. I believe that all depends on how the term ‘people’ food is defined.

If ‘people’ food is defined as processed food – the type of food that occupies 80% of today’s grocery shelves – yes, I would have to say it is bad for dogs and cats…just as processed food is bad for humans.

If instead ‘people’ food is defined as whole foods such as meat, good source fat, dairy products, fruit, vegetables, herbs, such as yogurt and cheese etc. then there are some ‘people’ foods that are good for dogs and cats, and other foods such as cereal grains that are definitely not good for dogs and cats. Some foods that are fine for us are not just species inappropriate for dogs and cats, some of these foods are toxic to dogs and cats. The lists - provided further below in section 2 and 3 of this article, separates the good from the bad and the downright dangerous.

And as a behaviourist who lives and works with dogs I can help you put to rest the theory voiced by some that ‘It is bad to feed your dog people food because doing so encourages your dog to beg for food’.  

Feeding your dog real food (people food) does not create ‘bad manners’ in a dog, does not make a dog beg for food, be aggressive around food etc. It is instead the act of feeding your dog ‘at the table’, slipping your dog bits of food from your plate, letting your dog fixate on your food and be under your feet while you are preparing the food that makes a dog beg for food. My dogs all eat real food – the same food that I eat – they eat their food in their own food bowls and they do not beg me for my food. They are permitted to be in the kitchen when I am preparing food – provided that they behave in a reasonable manner – relax, sit or lie down out of the way. To see an extensive list of foods that are really harmful for your dog and cat you can read here.

1.3 Pet Food – is it Really Good for Dogs and Cats

There are many ingredients and hidden ingredients in pet foods and treats (off-the-shelf pet store products and veterinarian prescribed) that will adversely affect the health of your dog and cat. Having some knowledge of the good and bad ingredients found in pet food can mean the difference between good health and poor health, between a few visits to the veterinarian over the span of your companion animals life - or many visits, lesser quality of life and a shortened life span. The lists - provided further below in section two of this article, below will assist you in understanding bad, good and better pet food.

1.4 Foods that are normally Safe Can Become Dangerous

• The food has come into contact with a poisonous substance (i.e. chemical-based cleaners that you have used on food prep surfaces).
• If the food has not been stored safely (i.e. raw food has been left un-refrigerated) and has become contaminated with harmful bacteria.
• If the food has started to rot.
• If the food is from a source (i.e. meat) was from an animal that was fed growth hormones, antibiotics, and yes, genetically engineered  (GE), genetically modified (GMO) foods.
• If the food was grown with high levels of pesticides and herbicides.
• If the food contains other health threatening ingredients.
• etc.

3.0 Food that is Good For Your Dog, Cat

Avocado
for Dogs

Flesh of the avocado fruit is OK for dogs in small amounts. Avocados contain persin - a fungicidal toxin. When a dog is fed large amounts of the fruit vomiting and diarreha can result from overdose of persin. The leaves, pit (seed), and bark also contain persin and should not be ingested by dogs.

Bones

for Dogs and Cats  

Species appropriate raw meaty bones are good for dogs and cats.

 

Raw meaty bones for cats:

• Go to this article.

Raw meaty bones for dogs:

• Go to this article.

Bones that are NOT good for dogs, are listed in the articles linked just above. 

Broth - Bone Broth

for Dogs and Cats
Homemade bone broth when made properly is an excellent source of nutrients and can be:

• Given to dogs and cats after fasting from a bout of diarreha;
• Given to support renal and eliminatory health;
• Of particular importance for dogs and cats on a dry dog food diet;
• For dogs and cats recovering from surgery or a traumatic event;
• For older dogs and cats with a suppressed or lessened appetite.
• You can use this bone broth recipe.

Dairy Products

for Dogs and Cats  
If consumed in reasonable amounts - particularly on a daily basis some dairy products are very beneficial for most dogs and cats. If your dog or cat is not lactose intolerant, plain yogurt or kefir is an excellent immune system booster. A little hard cheese or cottage cheese on a daily basis is a good source of nutrition. If your dog or cat is lactose intolerant – some can tolerate hard cheese as during the cheese making process most of the lactose is removed. My dogs and cats eat yogurt, hard cheese and cottage cheese on a daily basis. You can read here to understand which dairy products are good for your dog and cat, how to select a good product and safe daily dosage.

Eggs

for Dogs and Cats  

 

Cooked eggs can offer excellent nutrition - just make sure you don't give your dog or cat more than the equivalent of 3 to 5 eggs a week.

Raw eggs are generally safe but as noted in the preceding section can be contaminated with salmonella. If you are going to use raw eggs make sure you thoroughly wash the shell before cracking the egg or before giving the whole egg with shell to your dog…and follow the guidelines for weekly intake as noted just above for cooked egg.

Egg Shell - dry finely ground can be used as a beneficial source of calcium when making homemade dog and cat food – you can see an example here.

Natural Egg Shell Membrane (NEM) is an excellent anti-inflammatory – you can read about that here.

Fat - is absolutely necessary
for Dogs and Cats
The key is to ensure you provide your dog and cat with good source Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids in the correct ratio on a daily basis. Omega-3 fatty acids are the body’s and brain’s natural anti-inflammatory – providing protection against inflammatory diseases. For a comprehensive guide to adding good fats to your dog's, cat's diet read here.

On a daily basis my dogs get healthy fats from:

• Olive oil;
• Fish oil – a balanced Vitamin A and D Cod Liver Oil or Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil or Norwegian Krill Oil
• Coconut Oil,
• Ground flax seed or flax oil;
• Milk fat from dairy products as mentioned above;
• Fat from the poultry and fish that they eat.

A dog’s ancestral diet - and therefore a species appropriate diet consists of +/- 57 to 60% protein, 30% fat and 10 to 14% carbohydrates. 

Many commercially made dog and cat food products (kibble and treats) contain poor quality fats. Commercial dog food and raw food preparations do not provide a safely balanced ratio of Omega-3 fatty acids to Omega-6 fatty acids. For this reason it is important to supplement your dog's diet.

Fish 

for Dogs and Cats  

For guidance on how to select and include fish in your dog and cat's diet.

• Go to this article.

Fruit and Vegetables
for Dogs and Cats   

Many fruits and vegetables are good for your dog and cat. Fruit and vegetables when integrated properly into the diet contribute antioxidants, vital mineral and vitamins. For example cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli offer anti-allergenic properties. Brussel’s sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower offer important anti-carcinogenic benefits. Berries are also high in antioxidants and anti-carcinogenic properties.  Some of these foods also have additional medicinal properties as natural pain killers, anti-inflammatory effects and enzymes that support digestion. Tart red cherries and papaya are good examples. For an extensive list of fresh foods that are good for dogs and cats, for information on how to choose, prepare (to ensure ease of digestion and maximum absorption of nutrients), introduce and feed fresh fruits and vegetables to your dog and cat read here.

Garlic
for Dogs
Garlic contains only trace amounts of thiosulphate – the compound responsible for causing the Heinz factor in dogs and cats. Garlic offers amazing health benefits to dogs when provided in the correct daily dosage.. When garlic is ingested in reasonable amounts there are no harmful effects, only beneficial ones. Garlic is known for its antic cancer, diabetes, liver, heart, kidney disease fighting properties as well as its use as a natural flea repellent and de-wormer for dogs. Cats are more sensitive to the active ingredients in garlic. Cats should never have more than 2 or 3 thin slices of a garlic clove a week. Garlic must be used with extreme caution with cats and only by those persons that understand how to strictly monitor use and side effects.

Herbs and Spices
for Dogs and Cats

While there are some herbs and spices that are toxic to cats and dogs there are many herbs and spices that offer extensive health benefits to dogs and cats. When using a dog or cat safe herbal tea it is important to understand the cautions, drug interactions and dosage and how these elements may relate to the individual animal's specific conditions. To see a long list of herbs and spices that are good for dogs and cats and bad, complete with links to some of the beneficial uses, you can read here. Prior to giving your dog or cat herbs make sure you check all cautions, drug interactions, and any conflicts with your dog's or cat's current medical condition, if he/she has any condition. Also note some herbs that are fine for dogs are not safe for cats - make sure you check first.

Herbal Teas
for Dogs and Cats

There are many herbal teas that are very good for dogs and cats. Rooibos Tea is one such example – you can read about the health benefits of Rooibos Tea here. When using a dog or cat safe herbal tea it is important to understand the cautions, drug interactions and dosage and how these elements may relate to the individual animal's specific conditions. For a list of other herbs that can be used as herbal teas you can read here. Prior to giving your dog or cat herbs make sure you check all cautions, drug interactions, and any conflicts with your dog's or cat's current medical condition, if he/she has any condition. Also note some herbs that are fine for dogs are not safe for cats - make sure you check first.

Homemade Dog and Cat Food

for Dogs and Cats  

Many homemade dog and cat food diets are not nutritionally complete. For an example of a nutritionally complete homemade cooked/fresh dog and cat food diet you can look at this recipe.

Honey – unpasteurized (raw) organic

for Dogs and Cats 

Unlike the negative impacts on health caused by other sweeteners, organic unpasteurized honey that has not undergone any heating process does offer many health benefits. Organic unpasteurized honey (bee pollen and propolis) when provided in the proper dosage offers many health benefits for dogs. You can read this article for an example of the benefits derived from including organic unpasteurized honey in your dog's diet, dosage and cautions.

Liver and other organ meats - small amounts are beneficial
for Dogs and Cats  

Liver and other organ meats offer a rich source of nutrients and essential amino acids – a little piece on a daily basis is beneficial for dogs and cats.

Mushrooms 

for Dogs and Cats

Some types of mushrooms are safe for use as a treatment to help your dog or cat fight cancer. However unless you have a working knowledge of mushrooms for medicinal use do not try to medicate your dog or cat with medicinal mushrooms.

Nuts
for Dogs and Cats

Human-food grade finely ground almonds, peanuts and pine nuts; butter (i.e. peanut butter, almond butter), coconut oil – when offered in small amounts daily are a good source of nutrients for dogs (and for some cats).

Nutraceuticals

for Dogs and Cats

(Food or parts of food that provide health or medicinal benefits when ingested  this includes food and parts of food used to prevent, treat, remedy illness and disease)

For example:

Apple Cider Vinegar (organic, unpasteurized, unfiltered);

Aloe Vera Juice; (100% juice, food grade)

Coconut Oil (organic);

Cranberries;

Dairy in the form of yogurt or kefir as a probiotic;

Garlic;

Grapefruit seed extract;

Grape seed extract;

Green Lipped Mussel; 

Herbs;

i.e. cinnamon, ginger

Honey (organic, unpasturized);

Juniper Berry;

Kelp

Lemon (fresh lemon - not lemon oil);

Omega-3 fatty acids;

Papaya

Pumpkin Seeds

Sauerkraut (fresh, organic)

Tart red cherries;

etc.

Raw Food Diet 

for Dogs and Cats    

The raw food diet when comprised of truly good ingredients is a species appropriate diet...but if the ingredients used are not examined for their actual quality and value the raw food diet can be seriously compromised...

• Raw, species appropriate food (i.e. fresh meat, fresh bones) when:
• From a truly good source
• When stored properly
• When prepared properly
• When selected properly
• Is not bad for your dog - it is a species appropriate diet. 
• However if the origin of the raw food, its preparation. etc. is not safe then the end product - the raw food is not safe either. 
• If the source of the raw meat is an animal that came from a large factory farm, or from a smaller farm that is not organic in its practices...
• The animal (chicken, cow, lamb, etc.) was fed a diet that included:
• GMO corn, GMO soy
• Antibiotics
• Growth Hormones
• All of the above are toxins, some are carcinogens
• All of these substances end-up in your dog and cat's system when they ingest the food.
• And that in a nutshell is why raw meat is on this list. 
• Not because it is, by nature bad for your dog - in fact quite the opposite...but instead.
• Because if YOU do not employ common sense it can become BAD for your dog and cat. 

Supplements Required

Even if you do feed your dog and cat raw food, you will still need to supplement his/her diet with at least a few basic items for optimal health...for example:

• Additional Omega-3 Fatty Acids
• And other items like Probiotics
• And don't assume just because you are paying a lot of $ for a pre prepared raw food that it is nutritionally complete. I have looked at many, and the claim (by the companies) that they are complete is not an accurate statement. The Omega fatty acids are never present in the correct ratio and that creates some serious issues.

Additional Supplementation

Depends on the what conditions your dog or cat is exposed to. So for example if you are:

• Over-vaccinating your dog or cat
• Using chemical-based household cleaners
• Using  dog shampoo
• Using dog toothpaste
• Have your dog on pesticide-based Heart worm, Flea, Tick , etc. preventatives

You then need to supplement with a wider variety of foods, herbs and nutraceuaticals to compensate for the additional toxic burden placed on your dog or cat. 

Seeds
for Dogs and Cats  

Some seeds are very good for most dogs and cats…here are a few examples:

Anise seeds (beneficial and medicinal properties)

Chia seeds (omega-3 fatty acids)

Flax seeds (omega-3 fatty acids)

Fennel seeds (beneficial and medicinal properties)

Pumpkin seeds (nutrient rich and a natural dewormer)

I use anise and fennel seeds in my homemade dog food recipe

Vinegar – specifically organic unfiltered unpasteurized Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
for Dogs and Cats  

Organic unpasteurized, unfiltered ACV offers a long list of health benefits and is safe for most dogs and cats when added to the daily diet in the correct dosage – you can read about that here.

3.0 Harmful Foods

For an extensive list of foods that are not good for dogs and cats you can read here.

Holistic Diet, Nutrition, Wellness Services Tailored to Your Individual Dog and Cat

 

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Holistic Behavioral Services For Your Dog

 

For information about my holistic behavioral services visit my:

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🌎  USA | Canada | UK | Europe | Australia | New Zealand | Asia | South and Central America | Africa | UAE

 

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To set-up your holistic behavioral session get in-touch via email:

Contact me.

 

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✓ None.
✓ I don't sell food or supplements.
✓ I'm not aligned with any companies.

Article and graphics by Karen Rosenfeld