What Are We Actually Feeding Our Dogs?

If there is one thing all of our pups love doing, it's eating! Read below to see some of our favorite responses were when we asked our Big Barker community what their dogs favorite food is!

Freeze-Dried Dog Food

Freeze-dried dog food is a new segment of the pet food industry that is gaining steam. The process consists of removing water from the food in a freeze dryer prior to packaging. While the water is gone, almost all the nutrients remain. This differs from dehydrated food because it is still raw when it is freeze dried. The reason this has become more popular is for a myriad of reason:

  • The food has a long shelf life.
  • It is as convenient as kibble and doesn't require a freezer.
  • The nutritional value is greater than that in kibble.
  • No starch is needed.
Cheese

Many of our furry friends LOVE it! In fact, they will go crazy for it! Luckily, cheese is perfect to feed to your dog as long as they are not dairy intolerant. In fact, cheese is a great tool for training puppies. Cheese is good for your dog because it contains Protein, Calcium, Vitamin A, Essential Fatty Acids, and B-complex Vitamins. As with all things, it is best in moderation though because it is high in fat and if you over feed your dog, it can lead to obesity. The American Kennel Club recommends low-fat cheeses, like mozzarella, cottage cheese, or a soft goat cheese.

Peanut Butter

Much like cheese, peanut butter can be very good for your dog. It contains protein and healthy fats, Vitamins B and E, and Niacin. The best type of peanut butter for your dog is unsalted, dog-specific, or homemade to avoid extra additives and sugars. 

Health Alert: Some manufacturers have switched their sweetener to xylitol. The American Kennel Club said, "Xylitol consumption causes a rapid release of insulin in dogs, which results in an equally rapid and profound decrease in blood sugar levels. [This] can be life threatening if left untreated."

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