🐾 Module 5

The Best & Most Nutritious Foods for Dogs

What Actually Belongs in Your Dog’s Bowl

Good news:
Feeding your dog well does not require exotic ingredients, superfoods flown in from the Andes, or a second mortgage.

Dogs thrive on simple, high-quality, properly balanced foods.

Let’s talk about what really works.

🥩 High-Quality Protein (The Non-Negotiable)

Protein is the foundation of your dog’s diet.
Muscles, organs, immune system — all powered by it.

✅ Excellent Protein Sources

• Chicken
• Turkey
• Beef
• Lamb
• Fish (salmon, sardines)
• Eggs (cooked)

What to look for on dog food labels:
A named meat as the first ingredient.

If it says “meat meal” but doesn’t name the animal… be suspicious.

🐟 Healthy Fats (The Energy & Skin Boosters)

Fat is not the enemy.

The right fats:

• Fuel energy
• Support brain development
• Improve coat and skin health

✅ Healthy Fat Sources

• Fish oil
• Salmon
• Sardines
• Flaxseed oil
• Chicken fat (yes, really)

If your dog’s coat looks dull or flaky, fats often deserve a closer look.

🍠 Smart Carbohydrates (Yes, Dogs Can Eat These)

Dogs don’t need carbs — but good carbs provide:

• Energy
• Fibre
• Digestive support

✅ Nutritious Carb Options

• Sweet potato
• Pumpkin
• Brown rice
• Oats
• Quinoa

These are very different from fillers like cheap corn or refined wheat.

🥕 Vegetables (The Quiet Overachievers)

Vegetables support digestion, immunity, and gut health.

They are not just decoration.

✅ Dog-Friendly Veggies

• Carrots
• Green beans
• Broccoli (small amounts)
• Spinach
• Zucchini
• Pumpkin

Cooked or lightly steamed is usually easier to digest.

🍎 Fruits (Treats With Benefits)

Fruit should be:

• Occasional
• Portion-controlled
• Treated like a snack

✅ Safe, Nutritious Fruits

• Apples (no seeds)
• Blueberries
• Strawberries
• Watermelon (no rind or seeds)

Your dog doesn’t need fruit — but they usually love it.

🥣 Complete & Balanced Dog Food (Still the Gold Standard)

A high-quality commercial dog food is:

• Formulated by nutritionists
• Balanced for vitamins & minerals
• Convenient
• Reliable

Whether it’s:

• Dry kibble
• Wet food
• Fresh food
• Raw (properly formulated)

…it must meet complete and balanced nutritional standards.

Homemade diets without guidance often miss critical nutrients.

Love alone is not a supplement.

👀 Signs Your Dog’s Diet Is Working

You’re on the right track if your dog has:

• Steady energy
• Healthy weight
• Firm, regular stools
• Clear eyes
• Shiny coat

If not — food quality, quantity, or balance may need adjusting.

⚠️ A Quick Reality Check

The “best” food is:

• One your dog tolerates well
• One you can afford long-term
• One that suits their age, size & health

Consistency beats perfection.

Water (Yes, It Matters)

Fresh water should be:

• Available at all times
• Clean
• Changed daily

No, yesterday’s bowl is not “still fine.”

Final Thought

Your dog doesn’t need:

• Fancy labels
• Endless food changes
• Table scraps disguised as love

They need:

• Quality ingredients
• Proper portions
• Routine

And maybe a carrot now and then.