Feeding & Nutrition

It is fair to say that many dogs do love to have an extra treat outside of meal times, and some vegetables and fruit make great alternatives. However, a dog’s digestive tract is very different from ours, and certain fruits and veggies can be unsuitable or even harmful for your dog. Asparagus had become a staple of healthy eating for humans, but while asparagus is a perfectly safe and healthy for us, can dogs eat asparagus?

Many dogs enjoy their veggies, and adding a unique addition to your dog’s diet every now and then is a perfect way to keep them satisfied and add a little variety to their diet.

What is cod liver oil?

Dogs are curious creatures who love to know what we’re eating at all times. If you’ve cooked yourself a delicious salmon dinner and your pup has come running, you’re probably wondering ‘can dogs eat salmon?’

In the warmer months, there’s nothing better than a fresh summer salad, whether you’re dining al fresco at your favourite restaurant or hosting a garden barbecue. But when you’re munching on lettuce and you can feel those puppy eyes on you, is it something you can share? Carry on reading to find out if its ok to give your pup some lettuce every now and then as we answer the question ‘can dogs eat lettuce?’.

A lot of us love the British and Irish delicacy that is black pudding. Made with a blend of fat, blood and oatmeal, black pudding sounds like it could be suitable to feed our furry friends – but can dogs eat black pudding? We’ve got a handy guide on whether dogs can eat black pudding below. Take a look! What is black pudding made from? Black pudding is made from pork or beef fat and blood, and a mixture of grains and flavourings. Some black pudding may not be safe for your dog to consume; for example, a lot of black pudding contains onion which is toxic to dogs.

We love indulging in pancakes with our favourite sweet or savoury toppings. Whether you enjoy fluffy or crepe-like pancakes, we can’t help but wonder if our furry friends can enjoy this treat with us. You’re bound to find hopeful eyes staring up at you as you dig in, so find out if dogs can eat pancakes and how they can safely enjoy them with our handy guide below. Read on!

At Christmas dinner, you’ve probably noticed your dog hanging about (and possibly giving you puppy dog eyes) because they can smell that delicious turkey cooking. But can dogs eat turkey and share the fun? We have a guide on whether dogs can eat turkey, when it’s unsafe to feed it, and how to safely feed it to them below.

Having puppies is both exciting and exhausting for you and your pet. Whilst it’s wonderful to welcome adorable bundles of fur into your home, it’s hard work for a new mom to grow, deliver and look after a mischievous litter! Therefore it’s more important than ever for you to make sure she’s getting everything she needs from her food. Eating right will make sure that both mom and her puppies are happy and healthy. Although adult-formula food is great for everyday use, she’ll need an extra boost of nutrients when pregnant, especially if she’s expecting a large litter. Moms-to-be can get the higher amount of energy and protein that she’ll need from a high quality puppy food. Feeding your pregnant dog a puppy formula will help to support your pet during and after pregnancy. Your dog’s body condition (and any other medical requirements) can affect what nutritional demands she will have when expecting. You can find out more about your dog’s body condition with our body conditioning tool.

There are a lot of dog treats out there which are high fat and filled with artificial preservatives, which aren’t great for your dog’s health. If you’re concerned about your dog’s weight or just looking for a healthier alternative, check out this list for our favourite 7 healthy dog treats for training. Many dogs are incredibly food orientated. Their ears prick up at the mere sound of a packet rustling and their high-powered noses can pick up the scent of something delicious faster than you can say sit! Due to their love of food, it’s generally quite easy to train them with treats, but of course there’s the worry that too many of these will lead to weight gain or an unbalanced diet. We’ve created this list to tell you all about the best healthy dog treats for training, perfect for teaching everything from a reliable recall to your dog’s next big fancy trick. Always make sure to factor treats into your dog’s daily ration and reduce the size of meals to balance it out. 1. Cooked lean meat If you need high reward dog treats for training when you really need to command their attention, try some lean meat. Plain, boiled chicken breast with no oil or seasoning can be suitable – cutting up into very small pieces around the size of your little finger nail works best. In addition to being gentle on most stomachs, chicken is filled with omega-6 fatty acids which help to promote healthy skin and coat. Salmon is sometimes fed as a healthy dog treat as it’s full of omega-3 fatty acids. However, this is higher in fat so should be given in very small quantities and not fed to dogs with a history of pancreatitis. Be sure to avoid processed meats that have added salt. 2. Your dog’s dinner Your dog’s regular dry food can make a great healthy dog treat. This is a good choice for overweight dogs on low fat diets, or other pets that are on special diets for underlying health problems. Measure out a portion of their daily ration and keep this in a pot to use for training treats that day. Additionally, you can try using dog puzzles or a food dispensing toy so they can eat, learn and play all at the same time.

Blueberries are a great, healthy snack for humans, but do they offer the same nutritional benefits for our dogs too? Find out if dogs can have blueberries and if they’re good for them with this article. Blueberries can be especially moreish for us humans. Their small size coupled with their juicy contents means that we often find ourselves reaching for berry after berry. And it makes it even better that they’re packed full of goodness for us to enjoy! Whilst you’re tucking into your delicious snack, you may discover you’re being watched by your four-legged friend, eagerly awaiting with their best puppy dog eyes and might find yourself wondering ‘can dogs eat blueberries?’ We’ve put together this guide to tell you everything you need to know about whether dogs can eat blueberries or not and if blueberries are good for dogs.

As humans, we love cheese and it’s no secret that our dogs often look at us with their best puppy dog eyes whilst we’re munching on it! But, can dogs eat cheese and is it good for them? Find out more with this article. Cheese is a common staple to the human diet. We often find ourselves reaching for the block to add a grating atop our meals and there are so many varieties available that it pairs well with everything! We’re not the only ones who think that cheese is particularly moreish either – our dogs also think it’s pretty much the best thing since sliced bread. But, where it’s obvious that most dogs think the taste of it is nothing short of divine, are they actually allowed to eat it and is cheese good for dogs? Keep reading to find out whether dogs can eat cheese! Can dogs eat cheese? In most cases yes, dogs can eat cheese. When given in moderation it can make a great high reward training treat (particularly when there’s lots of distractions) and most dogs adore the taste of it too. Can dogs eat cottage cheese? Yes, dogs can eat cottage cheese. This type is actually low in fat and sodium so it is actually one of the better options to give your dog as an occasional treat. Can dogs eat blue cheese? No, never give your dog blue cheese. The fungus involved in making blue cheeses such as Stilton can produce a substance called roquefortine C, which dogs can be very sensitive to. If your dog ingests this, they may develop the following symptoms: • Vomiting. • Diarrhoea. • High temperature. • Seizures. The higher the amount of blue cheese your dog eats, the greater risk of them developing the symptoms above. If you notice your dog displaying any of these signs, contact your vet straight away.