When the Dog Food Runs Out, This is What To Feed Your Pet

Let’s say that even though you stored some pet food in with your emergency supplies, sometimes the emergency can last longer than you expected and you run out of pet food. What do you do?

Stay calm, and make sure you understand your dog’s dietary requirements. They can eat some of the same things we eat and thrive on it.  Remember to avoid excess sodium and fat, which can cause excessive thirst and tummy trouble. Aim to give your dog a balance of lean protein and complex carbohydrates while taking into consideration any allergies or special dietary needs your dog may have.

So what exactly should a dog eat if there’s no more kibble left? Here’s what your pets can and can’t eat in an emergency:

Some of the “approved human foods” that your dog can eat are peanut butter, cooked chicken, cheese, carrots, yogurt that does not contain artificial sweeteners or added sugars, salmon, pumpkin, scrambled eggs, cooked green beans, apple slices, and oatmeal. You can give them some bacon grease too, but don’t overdo it or they can end up with an upset belly.

Some of the foods you will want to refrain from giving to your dog (these are toxic human foods) are chocolate, onions, grapes, raisins, yeast dough, artificial sweeteners, macadamia nuts, avocados, alcohol, or coffee.

*Remember to try the above-suggested foods in small amounts. If your dog experiences any sort of reaction, immediately consult a veterinarian and stop feeding him those foods.

**Before giving your dog any people food, do your research to make sure it’s safe! Consult a veterinarian if you need too. This website is a great place to start. 

***Just as there is a lot of debate surrounding human nutrition, so it is with dogs as well. This is a list of what your dog can and can’t survive on if the SHTF, which isn’t necessarily the same as what is healthiest for your dog.

Beyond what they can eat, you want to make sure you are giving the dog the right ratios of fats and protein. Dogs can eat carbohydrates, and their digestive system has evolved to do so, however, if you choose to feed a dog carbs for energy, try to cook complex carbs. It’s easier on their digestion.

Because of the dietary needs of dogs, both their tooth structure and intestinal tract have become adapted to an omnivorous diet. This means that, under normal circumstances, dogs can meet their nutritional needs by eating a combination of plant and animal foods. The source of the proteins and fats is less important than the quality and digestibility of these essential components of the dog’s diet. Dogs can thrive if they are fed a properly balanced vegetarian diet. However, an all-meat diet would be unbalanced and would not meet all of a dog’s nutritional requirements.

*CATS AND DOGS REQUIRE DIFFERENT DIETS!

Cats don’t need much as far as grains or vegetables go when it comes to their diet. When a cat in the wild catches a mouse or a bird, they generally eat it, bones, organs and all. They receive a small amount of vegetables and grains, based on the stomach contents of their prey. Cats are obligate carnivores and require a lot of meat in their diet to live a long and healthy life while dogs, like humans, are omnivores. It is NEVER a good idea to feed cats a vegetarian or vegan diet. 

A cat is simply unable to safely eat a vegan diet. Even with synthetic supplementation of the required amino acids found only in animal meat, producing a cat food that is complete and fills all of the nutritional needs of a cat is difficult (and dangerous) without adding meat to the diet. This is why they are referred to as obligate carnivores and require meat in their diet. 

The good news is that there are homemade dog food recipes that are simple and nutritious.  Actually, these are more nutritionally dense than store-bought kibble, and therefore, your dog will not need as much food during the day. The added benefit is that you could also save some money by making dog food yourself!

Try these recipes out and see what your dog thinks!

Recipes #1: Turkey Delight

• 1⁄2 lb ground turkey
• 1 lb baby carrots
• 1 small sweet potato
• 2 eggs, slightly beaten
• 1 cup of rice (brown rice has more nutrition than white rice)
• 2 cups chicken broth or water

1. Cook all ground meat until fully cooked.
2. Add sweet potatoes, rice, carrots, and chicken broth or water.
3. Cook on medium heat for 30 minutes.
4. Cook scrambled eggs and add them to the pot.
5. Stir thoroughly until combined.
6. After cooking, allow to cool and put the mixture into storage containers. This freezes very well.

Recipe #2: Ground Beef Dinner

• 1 1/2 cups brown rice
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 3 cups baby spinach, chopped
• 2 carrots, shredded
• 1/2 cup peas, canned or frozen

1. In a large saucepan of 3 cups water, cook rice according to package instructions; set aside.
2. Cook ground beef over medium heat until browned, about 3-5 minutes, making sure to crumble the turkey as it cooks.
3. Stir in vegetables and brown rice until the spinach has wilted and the mixture is
   heated through about 3-5 minutes.
4. After cooking, allow to cool and put the mixture into storage containers. This freezes very well.

If you keep CBD (cannabidiol) oil around the house for personal use, consider trying it as a supplement for dogs.  There has been a lot of success in healing pets and people with CBD oil.  In fact, veterinarians often use CBD oil on dogs to help treat certain ailments.

Dogs Naturally Magazine reported on a holistic veterinarian that has had success with natural CBD oil. Australian veterinarian Edward Bassingthwaighte discovered how CBD oil could be a necessity in his holistic veterinary practice. “I simply can’t explain the improved heart murmur,” says Bassingthwaite. “They normally don’t get better,” he added, speaking of a Jack Russel terrier’s improved heart murmur. The ailment improved to the point of the dog wanting to go on long walks outside.

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