Food Talk 101

What is okay to feed your K9? Well, I'm going to share 8 great foods to share with your 4-legged friend!

1. Eggs - Eggs are easy to digest and are an excellent source of protein, containing all of the essential amino acids. Raw eggs should not be given to dogs, since bacterial contamination is a possibility. Raw eggs also contain a chemical that interferes with absorption and use of the B vitamin, biotin. Biotin deficient will affect a dog's skin and coat health. If your dog has never eaten eggs before, give only small pieces at first to prevent digestive upset.

2. Peanut Butter - A dog's favorite! Peanuts don't appear to cause allergies in dogs like they do in people and dogs LOVE the taste.

3. Berries (fresh and frozen) - Blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, huckleberries or raspberries all are good for your furry friend for the same reason they're good for humans (see prior post below). Free-radical , fighting antioxidants are an added bonus.

4. Cooked Chicken - Whether boiled, baked, served rotisserie style or grilled, this food is a healthy substitute. Make sure to avoid adding spices or sauces, this will upset their stomach.

5. Tuna Fish - An excellent source of protein, and is now being used as the base for many commercially available dog foods. Canned fish is a good alternative to fresh, but avoid fish with tiny bones since they can get stuck in your dog's throat. Avoid serving fish canned in oil as excel oil may cause diarrhea.

6. Bananas - All fruits have phytonutrients and dogs can't seem to get enough of bananas! With a little added peanut butter, your furry friend is sure to obey any command!

7. Olive Oil - Is often used as a nutritional supplement. Olive oil contains unsaturated fatty acids, good for skin and coat health and as a treatment for constipation. The amount of oil added depends upon the size of your dog, with maximum amounts given between 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon daily (ask your veterinarian for specific amounts for your pup). The addition of any oil will increase the number of calories your dog is eating. Too much oil can cause diarrhea.

8. Salmon - Another great source of protein for your dog is salmon. Make sure you cook the salmon completely! Raw salmon may have parasites, in the form of flukes, an organism which can cause severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and is usually fatal if untreated. Canned salmon is a good choice and it is safe for dogs to eat the bones in canned salmon.

Enjoy!