Basic Dog Care

Feeding

Your dog will need to be fed at least twice per day, but feeding them breakfast, lunch and dinner is a good option. If you do not feed your dog at least every 12 hours, then acid and bile will build up in their stomach, which will cause the dog to become nauseated and they could possibly start vomiting.

A healthy dog can go 5 to 7 days without food, if they're drinking enough water. But if your dog hasn't eaten for more than 2 days, then a visit to the vet is needed. A dog can't go as long without water. A dog can survive around 2 to 3 days without water, but you should never let it get to that point. If your dog hasn't drank anything for a day, take them to the vet immediately. Your dog will likely start to show signs of dehydration after the first day.

Your dog can survive on a diet of kibble, but it would be nice to give them a variety of things to eat for their health. Here are some things you can feed your dog:

-Dry food/kibble: Dry food is a good option for dogs, and your dog can be happy just eating that. Make sure you find a good brand to feed your pup, as some brands have lots of added sugar. Due to the process of making kibble, lots of the nutrients can be lost. You can find a variety of different brands online, in pet shops and in supermarkets or grocery stores.

-Wet food: This is a great way to help your dog stay hydrated. Wet food is not a replacement for a water bowl, but it can help give your dog some much needed hydration. High quality brands will be a lot better for your dog. Have a look around for a brand that works for your dog. These can also be found online, in pet shops and supermarkets and grocery stores.

-Cooked meats, fish and eggs: Dogs can eat chicken, turkey, pork, salmon, sardines, eggs, and lean beef. Never feed your dog raw eggs, as that gives them the risk of getting salmonella. You also shouldn't feed your dog raw meat or raw fish, as they are likely to contain harmful bacteria like Salmonella. Always cook the meat and fish that you'll be feeding to your dog. Sardines have lots of healthy fats, minerals, vitamins and protein, which all are important for your dogs diet. It's better to give dogs sardines that are packed in water rather than any oils, as the oils can cause digestive issues and can upset your dogs stomach. Also make sure there is no added salt. It would be even better if you have fresh sardines. They are soft boned fish so they can be fed whole to your dog, but you can always remove the bones if you wish to avoid a possible choking hazard, especially for smaller dogs or larger sardines. Make sure the sardines you feed them are cooked. The same goes for salmon. Make sure it's cooked, and remove the bones to avoid a choking hazard.

-Cheese: Cheese can be a nice treat for your dog, but they shouldn't be fed too much too often. Cheese should stay as a treat. It's best to go for low fat cheeses like mozzarella or cottage cheese. If your dog is lactose intolerant, then do not feed them any cheese or other dairy products.

-Peanut Butter: Dog can eat peanut butter, and lots of dogs really enjoy it, but it should be kept as a treat. Some peanut butter brands can be extremely dangerous for dogs, as many of them contain an ingredient called xylitol. Xylitol is an artificial sweetener and is very toxic to dogs. Even a small amount can be fatal to them. Healthier peanut butter options include unsalted peanut butter or homemade peanut butter, as long as there isn't any xylitol or chocolate.

Some fruits and vegetables can also be a great treat for your dog, but always feed vegetables raw or boiled/steamed. Fruits can be given raw. Here are some vegetables dogs can eat:

-Carrots
-Sweet potatoes and potatoes, but never feed these raw
-Brussel Sprouts
-Sweetcorn: Must be removed from the cob and cooked first with nothing added to them
-Broccoli

Fruits should be plain with no added sugar or chocolate. Many fruits are sugary, so should only be an occasional treat. Here are some fruits dogs can eat:

-Pineapple: Without the skin
-Mango: Remove the pit and skin
-Strawberries: These are very sugary and should only be fed in small amounts
-Bananas: They are sugary so only feed them in small amounts
-Blueberries

Some fruits and vegetables should not be fed to your dog at all. These include:

-Leeks: They they are toxic to dogs
-Rhubarb: These are toxic to dogs
-Avocado: This can cause an upset stomach
-Garlic: This is toxic to dogs
-Lemons and limes: These are very acidic and can cause your dog to have an upset stomach
-Onions: These are toxic to dogs
-Grapefruit: This can cause an upset stomach

Here are some other foods you should never feed to your dog:

-Chocolate: Never feed chocolate to your dog. Chocolate contains theobromine, which is toxic and can be fatal
-Coffee: Never feed your dog coffee as it contains caffeine. Caffeine is extremely toxic to dogs, and can be fatal, even in small amounts
-Alcohol: This can cause intoxication
-Candy: These contain xylitol and are toxic to dogs

If you dog ever ingests something they shouldn't have, contact your vet immediately. If you're unsure if you dog can eat something, always ask your vet.