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Food plays such a significant role in our dogs’ lives, and it’s a massive part of our lives as pet parents, too. Every meal we serve weighs in the balance of our furry friends’ health, wellbeing, and overall quality of life. It’s no surprise that our friends and Healthy Hounds Newsletter readers have so many questions about dog food. We took the most-asked questions from real Healthy Hounds readers to our resident veterinary technicians to finally get some no-nonsense, straightforward answers.
Meet Our Experts
Dina Fantegrossi, a retired veterinary technician with more than 15 years of veterinary experience, has researched and written hundreds of articles about canine care and volunteers with All4Paws Rescue and other shelters in underprivileged areas of South Carolina.
Amber LaRock is a licensed vet tech with over 10 years of experience in the field. She is currently living in Phnom Phen, Cambodia, where she works with as many animal rescues as possible, including Phnom Penh Animal Welfare Society.
Amber and Dina put their heads together and provided real answers, plus, an excellent solution for pet parents who want to know what to feed their pups.
How can I get my picky eater to eat?
DF: Picky eating habits may be a result of a medical condition, but more often than not, the problem can be traced back to the owner. Providing too many options, giving table scraps, and offering endless treats allow dogs to hold out for something better. Why should they eat their boring kibble when there’s a strong chance you’ll slip them some bacon?
We recommend choosing a fully balanced, high-quality diet made from fresh ingredients. Picky pups are much more likely to respond to human-grade meat, veggies, and grains than they are to bland commercial diets. Ollie recommends a one-to-one ratio of high-quality meat protein, natural fats, and nutrient-dense carbs like vegetables and seeds to combat heart disease.
What foods are healthy, easy to eat, and safe for dogs?
AL: Many human foods are safe and healthy for your dog that he will really enjoy. In fact, eating some “people foods” daily can really benefit your pup’s health and improve his quality of life. A human-grade, highly digestible lean meat protein source, such as chicken, turkey, lamb, or beef kidney, should be the number one ingredient in your dog’s food. Dogs love meat, but they also enjoy – and should have – some fruit, veggies, and even superfoods in their diet. Sweet potatoes, leafy greens like spinach and kale, and superfoods like cod liver oil, chia seeds, and omega-3 -6 and -9 can benefit your pup.
Ollie can help you and your pup find the perfect balance by building a custom meal plan based on your dog’s weight, activity levels, and body type. All you need to do is open your dog’s pre-portioned meals and serve.
Want to give Ollie a try? They’re offering iHeartDogs readers 60% off their first trial box!
Can certain dog foods cause seizures?
DF: Dogs prone to seizures should not consume any potentially inflammatory ingredients, including foods that trigger allergies or intolerances/sensitivities, such as chemical additives, wheat, corn, soy, beef or cow’s milk products. But remember that this also includes any foods that cause problems for your individual dog.
Related: The 8 Best Dog Foods
AL: There are no specific diets for dogs with seizures. Many veterinarians recommend homemade meals with high-quality fat and protein sources and lowered carbohydrates – similar to the “Keto” diet popular in humans with diabetes. Higher levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids may also help reduce seizures.
What is the best dog food for seniors?
AL: Our canine companions are not exempt from the effects of aging. Along with the graying of their muzzle comes joint pain, a decline in energy, and susceptibility to serious medical conditions. While we can’t prevent them from getting older, we can certainly help them enjoy their senior years a bit more!
A beneficial diet is one of the best ways to keep your pup comfortable in their senior years. The senior recipe recommended by fresh dog food company Ollie includes cod liver oil that is rich in omega fatty acids for joint health, lean proteins to keep your pup slim and trim, and berries packed with antioxidants for fighting off free radicals like cancer cells. These ingredients are gently cooked, meaning all their beneficial nutrients stay intact!
Related: 10 Best Puppy Dog Foods
What is the best dog food for diabetic dogs?
DF: While your dog’s food cannot cure their diabetes, it can certainly help manage it. Since your pup is now being regulated with insulin injections to help them stay in a safe blood sugar range, it’s essential to choose a food that’s not too high in sugars or starches.
Sugars and starches can impact the blood glucose levels in your dog’s bloodstream, which can make it much more challenging for their daily insulin injections to do their job. Fresh food diets, such as those by Ollie and other fresh dog food makers, are free of any fillers or artificial ingredients. Since they contain lean proteins that aid in a healthy metabolism, diets tailor-made for your dog are exactly what a diabetic pup needs to thrive!
By removing any ingredients that can impact your diabetic pup’s well-being, they have a better chance at a well-managed diabetic condition.
Click here to get 60% off your first trial box when you try Ollie!
What ingredients should I avoid?
AL: Avoid foods packed with fillers, excess salt and sugar, preservatives, artificial coloring, and additives you can’t pronounce. These “ingredients” contain no nutritional value for your pup and can even have negative effects on his health. Excess sugar has been linked to canine obesity, diabetes, and dental problems. An abundance of salt can cause heart-health issues in dogs just like it can in humans.
When it comes to dog food, you get what you pay for. Many cheap, big-bag dog foods use fillers to make sure your dog’s stomach feels “full,” but that’s all they do. They’re often items we would put in the trash and never feed our dogs. Common fillers include cereal by-products, feathers, hulls from nuts, seeds, beans, grains, weeds, and straw. Not only do they provide no nutritional value, but they can also cause allergic reactions in dogs who have sensitivities.
Check the label on your dog’s food. Ollie uses whole foods in their recipes and doesn’t add anything your dog doesn’t need. No by-products, fillers, artificial coloring, excess sugar or salt, and no preservatives.
Related: 9 Best Dry Dog Foods
What is the best dog food for dry skin or allergies?
DF: Dry skin and allergies are extremely common among our furry friends. Our pups can even be allergic to certain ingredients in their food, making their allergies even more challenging to deal with.
The best food for dogs with skin sensitivities includes fresh ingredients that are free of preservatives, free of common allergens like corn or wheat, and is rich in omega fatty acids that help to hydrate the skin. Since Ollie allows you to choose the recipe that best suits your furry friend, you can choose the diet packed with nutrients for skin health and free of any allergens known to irritate your dog’s skin.
Related: 12 Best Dog Foods For Allergies
What is the best dog food?
AL: Look for foods made from human-grade meat, veggies, and grains sourced in the United States or Australia. Those mixed in small batches and tailored to your dog’s weight, age, breed, activity level, and allergies are best. Some even come pre-portioned according to how many calories they need.
DF: Though there is no perfect answer to the question, “What is the best dog food?” Like humans, what works for one may not work for another. The best you can do as a loving pet parent is to choose the highest quality fresh ingredients that fit your dog’s individual dietary needs.
One great way to make sure your dog is getting everything he needs to thrive at any stage of his life is Ollie. Even in these uncertain times, with the world changing around us, we can rely on Ollie to be there for our furriest family members. Compare Ollie to other top brands in our list of 10 Best Fresh Dog Food Brands in 2022.
Here are just a few reasons we love Ollie:
1. Ollie ships your dog’s food straight to your door, and offers contactless delivery to keep you and your loved ones safe. Each meal is individually packaged and can be stored in your freezer for up to six months – all you have to do is open and serve!
2. Ollie’s vet-formulated recipes are tailored to meet your special dog’s unique needs. Every meal starts with delicious, high-quality meat, and you can choose allergen-free options like turkey and lamb.
3. They’re packed with nutrient-rich veggies and superfoods and are perfectly balanced to give your dog a meal that fills his bowl, belly, and dietary needs!
4. Ollie will send your pup’s food on a regular schedule, so you never need to worry about running out or forgetting to order more. You can get your first trial box in just two days, and shipping is always free!
5. We trust Ollie for their commitment to providing complete recipes with human-grade food that meets AAFCO standards. Thanks to their attention to safety and health standards, they have never had their food recalled and have the highest rating possible from DogFoodAdvisor.com – five stars!
iHeartDogs wants you to try and see for yourself what high-quality dog food can do for your pup. Ollie is offering iHeartDogs readers 60% off their first trial box of tasty, human-grade dog food. Each recipe that you’ll receive will be formulated especially for your pup by veterinary nutritionists. Your dog will clean his plate and you’ll love the convenience and transparency that Ollie has to offer!
Toledo, United States.
