Dog Food Alternatives during this Pandemic

The government of the countries that are affected by the Covid19 pandemic mandated their citizens to do self-quarantine. Self-quarantine requires a person to stay at home and isolate oneself in order to prevent the spread of the virus. In that case, shops are now temporarily closed except for the shops that sells a person’s basic needs. As a dog owner, you must be worried about your dog’s health. Now that pet shops are closed down, dog foods will not be available for a while. You must be wondering, where can your dog get those nutrients now?
Do you ever wonder, what are dog foods made of?

According to IAMS, dog foods are usually containing ingredients that are divided into subcategories such as protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals, and water. Those stuff can be found in human food that is allowed to be fed with your dogs.

Here are the list of food alternatives for your dog:

• PROTEIN

According to Westgate Pet Clinic (2012), a dog needs 1 gram of protein per pound of ideal body weight every day. Dogs are omnivores, like humans, and do not require as much protein in their diet.

Food: Poultry (chicken, turkey, duck), pork, beef and fish.

Way of cooking: Boiled, grilled and pan fried.

• CARBOHYDRATES

Dogs have no nutritional requirement for dietary carbohydrates (Rodier, 2019). Though still used as one of the main ingredients in dog food because it is a great source of glucose.

Food: Grains such as oats, corn, rice and wheat.

Way of cooking: Boiled.

• FATS

According to Dog Pet Care, a balanced diet that provides about 10-15 percent fat is essential for a dog’s health. Fats provide the daily energy requirement during periods of growth, and lactation.

Food: Fish oils, canola oils, and flaxseed.

Way of cooking: Use the oils on frying meats for protein.

• VITAMINS AND MINERALS

Just like humans, dogs need vitamins and minerals to maintain the bones and muscles strong, clear eyesight, healthy hair growth and energy for daily living. 

Food:

Vitamin A – Carrots, spinach, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, eggs.

Vitamin E– Leafy green vegetables, whole grains

Vitamin K – Milk

Vitamin C – Apples, Celery, Watermelon, Green beans, Bok choy,

Way of cooking: Carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, grain like rice requires boiling. While saute the spinach and leafy green vegetable.

• WATER- According to Actijoy (2018), dogs require 0.5 – 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight, a day.

Food: Filtered tap water.

All the food that have mentioned are can be found on your local food market. Let’s hope that this pandemic will end soon, so that our dogs can eat again their nutritious dog food. Meanwhile, check out Puppies Gear Shop by clicking this link https://puppiesgear.com/products/