Sharing food with your dog can be a nice bonding experience between the two of you and can even feel more cost-effective during tougher financial times. But not all human foods are beneficial for dogs and some can lead to health issues such as inflammation. Here's what a certified dog nutritionist has to say on this and five foods you should keep out of the dog bowl.
It's pretty much universally known that chocolate is not considered one of the best treats for dogs, this is because it can cause severe chocolate poisoning in dogs. But there are some less obvious foods that we humans typically eat in our day to lives, which Cam, The Dog Nutritionist, would advise against sharing with your four-legged friends.
Cam gained a diploma in Canine Nutrigenomics back in 2017 and since has worked with hundreds of dog owners helping to improve the health of their dogs through food while rectifying misinformation surrounding canine health.
The Dog Nutritionist's five big no-go's for your dog's diet: Cereals, Rice, Potatoes, Seed Oils, and Highly Processed Dog Foods. "These are inflammatory ingredients that are high in energy, which cause weight gain," explains Cam.
His video touring around the supermarket points these items out for you. According to The Dog Nutritionist, "These are the foods you need to avoid if you want to protect your dog's joints and ensure their long-term mobility."
Watch The Dog Nutritionist Address Five Foods You Shouldn't Be Feeding Your Dog:
Cam is interested in combatting chronic inflammatory illnesses, especially related to digestion, something he noticed was very prevalent amongst dogs when he first started working with them.
The first food he singles out in his educational video is potatoes, or any starchy carbs. He explains that these are high-glucose foods, "Glucose contributes to bodily inflammation and the degeneration of joints. It also leads to weight gain, weight gain adds more pressure on the joints, further reducing mobility."
Cereals came next on his grocery store tour of what foods you shouldn't be feeding to your pooch. As much as you may enjoy sharing breakfast with your dog, ingredients like corn, wheat, or maize are all inflammatory and, "Are going to lead to the deterioration of their joints."
The video then pans to low-quality seed oils, which Cam says cause an improper balance of omega-6, fatty acids, and omega 3's, yet again, developing an inflammatory diet for your dog. He also recommends steering clear of rice, which is another high-glucose food.
Lastly, he includes low-quality processed dog food on the list. The Dog Nutritionist elaborated saying, "These have nearly all of the ingredients that I've just mentioned in them". They contain low-quality proteins, they're high in carbohydrates, and high in cereals, grains, and seed oils, all of which are, you guessed it...inflammatory ingredients.
The comments section attracted some discussion amongst dog owners with one asking: "Why do vets suggest giving white rice (and chicken) when your dog sick? Is there something else that’s better for them?".
As per any advice or information you read online, you should always consult a vet before changing your dog's diet. All dogs are different and a vet or qualified dog nutritionist, in most cases, is best qualified to comment on this.
