The Thanksgiving festivities have just concluded, and now the momentum is building toward the heart of the holiday season. In many households, similar to theirs, pets are an integral part of seasonal celebrations. These traditions might be as straightforward as shared strolls to admire the twinkling holiday lights or perhaps a thoughtful present for the beloved pet placed beneath the Christmas tree. Some families might even engage in more elaborate customs, like dressing up their pets in reindeer antlers for a photo-op with Santa Claus. It’s likely that the highlight for many dogs during the holidays is the chance to savor a piece of turkey or other savory morsels from the family feast. However, for their dogs, indulging in so-called “real food” isn’t confined to the festive season—it’s a regular part of their diet. The distinction between “human food” and “dog food” is a product of decades of conditioning, yet it’s a rather absurd concept when one stops to consider it. The goal should always be to provide dogs with nutritious, high-quality sustenance, not just foods arbitrarily deemed suitable for dogs.
A variety of foods that humans consume are also nutritious and high-quality options for dogs, including meats, vegetables, fruits, and beneficial fats. Just like humans, dogs have their own food preferences. This was evident in the food tasting experiment conducted by Volhard Dog Nutrition, which highlighted the varying tastes among dogs. While some dogs may snub vegetables, it’s rare to find one that will refuse meat. This preference for meat stems from dogs’ carnivorous leanings. Although not strict carnivores, dogs naturally gravitate towards meat as their primary source of nutrition when it is available.
When considering what resembles meat, the answer is quite straightforward. The ingredients in commercial “dog food” are often so heavily processed that they no longer resemble their original form. Clever marketing has convinced many that the only appropriate food for dogs is the ubiquitous hard, brown kibble. This has overshadowed the millennia-old history of canine diets that existed long before the introduction of James Spratt’s Patent Dog Biscuits in the mid-19th century. By the 1950s, when Spratt’s brand was acquired by General Mills, the transformation in public perception was complete: kibble became synonymous with dog food, and table scraps were deemed exclusively human fare.
Despite the misleading marketing, dry dog food is undeniably convenient, and some brands manage to produce a reasonably high-quality product. However, even the best kibble remains a dry nugget, and incorporating fresh foods into a dog’s diet can significantly improve its nutritional value. Adding fresh foods introduces variety and biodiversity, which are beneficial to a dog’s health.
Here are some excellent fresh food options to integrate into a dog’s diet:
- Sardines or other fatty fish (preferably packed in water rather than oil)
- Raw or lightly cooked muscle and organ meats
- Goat’s milk kefir, cottage cheese, or yogurt (plain, unflavored)
- Raw or lightly scrambled eggs
- Pureed or steamed vegetables
By supplementing a dog’s meals with wholesome “human” foods, one can contribute to their pet’s health and happiness.
