food Archives - iHeartDogs.com

Shelter Dog Meal Donation Count:

Learn More

food

Surprising Products That Contain Xylitol: What Every Dog Owner Needs to Know

Xylitol in Products

Xylitol is one of the most dangerous substances your dog can accidentally eat. And the scary part? It’s hiding in products you’d never expect. This sugar alcohol is used as a sweetener in hundreds of everyday items, from sugar-free gum to toothpaste to peanut butter. For humans, it’s perfectly safe. For dogs, even a tiny amount can trigger a life-threatening drop in blood sugar or cause liver failure within hours. The FDA has issued warnings about xylitol’s danger to dogs, … Read more

13 Healthiest “People Foods” For Dogs

iHeartDogs is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. If the way to your dog’s heart is through her stomach, you undoubtedly love sharing snacks with your most loyal companion. While we love making our pups happy by showering them with treats, it’s even more important to keep them healthy and safe. The good news is there are some foods that you and your four-legged friend … Read more

20 Fruits & Veggies Your Dog Will Love!

They say that sharing is caring, and we love sharing yummy treats with our dogs! However, there are two potential problems with feeding Fido extra snacks. For starters, table scraps can contain ingredients that are safe for us, but dangerous for our dogs (for instance, onions and chocolate). Second, too many treats can make our pups pack on the pounds, which can lead to a host of health problems. The good news is, there are plenty of fresh, healthy “human foods” that … Read more

Pros And Cons Of Different Types Of Dog Food

german shepherd with all types of dog food

Choosing the right dog food can feel overwhelming. From kibble and canned food to raw, air-dried, and homemade diets, there are more options than ever for feeding your dog. Each type of dog food comes with its own benefits and potential drawbacks, and what works best depends on your dog’s health, lifestyle, and nutritional needs. Below, we break down the pros and cons of the most common types of dog food to help you make a more informed decision. There’s … Read more

Holiday Food Hazards: 12 Unsafe Foods For Dogs

Holiday dog food hazards

iHeartDogs is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Every year, pets are rushed to the vet during the holidays because they ate something they shouldn’t have. It might seem fun to include your dog in Christmas by giving them delicious table scraps, but many foods are bad for dogs, with some being life-threatening. Thus, it’s best to avoid these toxic foods altogether to keep your … Read more

10 Human Foods That Are Dangerous For Dogs

iHeartDogs is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. There are plenty of foods beneficial to humans that can actually harm our dogs, and it’s important to know what these are. While some are quite obvious, others might not be so straightforward. To get an idea of some of the dangerous foods and drinks that people consume, check out our list below. Human Foods That Are … Read more

10 Most Toxic Foods For Pets

iHeartDogs is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. When it comes to viral videos, they say that kids, cats and dogs rule the internet, and as parents, we’ll do anything to keep them safe. With all the buzz online about byproducts in processed pet foods and toxins contained in treats imported from overseas, it seems that a day rarely goes by that we don’t see headlines about … Read more

7 Reasons Why So Many People Are Switching Their Dogs To A Raw Diet

Health foods and “clean eating” are all the rage, so it’s no surprise that people have begun to wonder about what they’re feeding their pets. In a time when information is more readily available than ever, companies feel the pressure to be more transparent with ingredients as consumers ask more questions. That’s why more and more people are switching their dogs to a whole, all-natural way of eating. Major pet food companies are being exposed for their half-truths and low-quality … Read more

“Naughty” And “Nice” Holiday Foods For Your Dog

This holiday season, you might be tempted to share your delicious meals with your fur family members, but some of your favorite holiday foods might be dangerous for your dog. Knowing which table scraps are safe to share with your pooch can help you avoid the stress of a trip to the emergency room. In order to save you some time scouring the internet to find out what your dog can and can’t eat this holiday season, here are some … Read more

Tips For Helping Dogs With Sensitive Stomachs

It’s no secret that most dogs love food (hey, can we blame them?). But while some pups can chow down on nearly any dog food brand or the occasional table scrap, others can’t seem to tolerate the change. What’s worse is if you have a dog whose stomach doesn’t seem settled on any type of food. This can really pose a problem if you’re trying to switch your dog’s diet for some reason, or if his belly just never seems settled. We at … Read more

How Changing Your Dog’s Diet Can Transform Their Life 

Dr. Michel Selmer, DVM, CTCVMP, is a true believer in the power of food. Also known as “The Caring Vet,” Dr. Selmer is a Certified Veterinary Food Therapist (CVFT) who uses principles from Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) to treat his patients. Here’s what he had to say about the impact of diet on your dog’s life. In the words of Dr. Selmer:  If you were to take away all of my other tools as a veterinarian — all other modalities, … Read more

5 Things All Dog Owners Should Know About Grain-Free Diets

The debate as to whether grain-free diets are best for our pets remains unsettled. While some dog owners swear their pup became healthier and happier after omitting grains, others claim that it’s a necessary part of their companion’s diet. Some even consider the entire thing a fad. So what’s a pet parent to do? In short, there is no right or wrong answer; what matters is that the dietary needs of each individual dog are met. Unless your pup has … Read more

16 Fresh Foods That May Help Prevent Cancer In Dogs

We would do almost anything to keep our best friends with us just a bit longer. That’s the only fault they have–not living long enough. And while you cannot prevent the inevitable, you can help prolong your dog’s life by feeding him good foods. This includes fresh foods that are known to help prevent cancer, one of the leading causes of death in older dogs. In honor of Pet Cancer Awareness Month (May), we asked Rick Woodford, author of CHOW: Simple … Read more

Adoring Dog Mom Makes A Mini-Plate For Her Pup Every Dinnertime

As loving pawrents, we’ve probably all felt a pang of guilt watching our dogs eat the same old thing day after day as we enjoy our deliciously varied diets. Many owners opt to prepare homemade diets for their pups, but one adoring dog mom is taking it to a whole new level. Twitter user, Ashton Burton posted a series of photos showing the adorable mini-meals her mother prepares each night for the family Papillon, Tiny. “My mom seriously makes my … Read more

The 11 Most Common Food Allergens For Dogs

Over the past few decades, food allergies seem to have become more prevalent in humans, and the same can be said about our dogs. According to WebMD, 10 percent of dogs with allergies are affected by ones that are food-related. So, how do you know if your pup is suffering from food allergies? According to PetEducation.com, symptoms can manifest themselves in several different ways.  Symptoms can include (but are not limited to): Itchy skin (“affecting primarily the face, feet, ears, forelegs, armpits and the area … Read more

Feeding Tips For Dogs Who Guard Their Food

Feeding a dog who guards his food can be dangerous. You can get bitten and you can even (accidentally) make the guarding behavior worse. There is a safe way to do it so that both you and your dog have a positive experience, which can actually help diminish the behavior over time.   Why Dogs Guard Food Dogs guard food (and other things like toys, people, etc.) because their instinct is telling them they need to protect their resources. Wild … Read more

DIY Delicious & Nutritious Frozen Yogurt Pupsicles

Icy treats are perfect to keep on hand for anytime you want to spoil your dog, but they are particularly nice during warm weather. Not sure how to make ones that are dog-friendly? Not to worry, these easy-to-make pupsicles by Chef Gus of Rover.com are perfectly simple and are sure to have your dog drooling. Made with just a few ingredients, they don’t take long to whip up. Here’s the recipe: Ingredients 1/2 cup chopped strawberries 1/2 cup whole blueberries … Read more

Man Hears That Pet Store Is Closing And Does Something Incredible For Animals In Need

Canadian Sean Squires heard that a local pet store was going out of business and decided to take full advantage of their closing sales–and all for a great cause. On Sunday morning, Squires walked into Petculture, located in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and bought out their entire supply of dog and cat food. That’s 570 bags and cans of food–all to be donated to local shelters. The generous bargain hunter scored $13,000 worth of pet food for a fraction of the cost, purchasing it for $3,000. … Read more

Are You Feeding Your Dog One Of These 7 Most Recalled Brands?

We dog lovers only want the best for our pups, so it’s imperative that we learn about the foods and brands that we are feeding them. This list was compiled based on Dog Food Advisor’s list of pet food recalls from 2009-present. In a world where nothing is guaranteed, your best bet is to research the products you use for your pet, and to use your best judgement from there. You will see from this list that even expensive or “high-quality” brands are … Read more

Take A Peek At Seattle’s First Dog Food Truck!

We’ve all probably dined at a food truck at some point. Oh, the joy of fine dining on four wheels! But Seattle dog lovers can also share the culinary joy of food on the go with their dogs thanks to Ben and Dawn Ford. They rolled out The Seattle Barkery, Seattle’s first ever food truck for dogs! “We had zero experience in the food truck world other than being hungry customers,” Ben told iHeartDogs. “My wife, Dawn cooked up this idea years ago and when … Read more

“The Man Who Rescues Dogs” Feeds 80 Street Dogs, 3 Times A Day

Michael J. Baines is known as “The Man Who Rescues Dogs.” He is a Switzerland native, and has been living in Thailand for 14 years. As you may know, Thailand is inundated with stray dogs. When a  sick and starving dog (who’d just had a litter) approached the restaurant where Baines’ works, he gave her a meal. She came back every day to be fed–and that was just the beginning. “And then it just kept going. I simply could not stand … Read more

BREAKING NEWS RECALL ALERT – Fromm Foods Recalls Select Canned Dog Foods

The Fromm Family Foods pet food company just announced that it is voluntarily recalling several of its 12-ounce cans of Gold Dog Food Pate due to elevated Vitamin D. They made the discovery through their own analysis and are recalling these products “out of an abundance of caution,” the company states. RELATED: The Complete Dog Food Guide: Nutrition, Ingredients, Feeding & How to Choose Affected Product The affected products were shipped to distributers from December 2015 – February 2016. The … Read more

10 Fresh Foods That Promote Health & Cure Common Ailments

With all the recalls and dangers about where your dog’s food is being made, it’s no wonder that many people are turning to home-cooked meals. Even if you feed kibble, you may be adding fresh foods to your dog’s meals to make sure they are getting the right nutrients or to help digestion. However, this can be daunting if you have never fed your dog anything but store-bought food – how do you what is safe and what is not? … Read more

13 Dogs Who Ate Way Too Much This Thanksgiving

(Note: Always be careful what you feed your dog! Please educate yourself on what kinds of foods are dangerous and what qualifies as safe, dog-friendly options to give your pup before feeding her “human food”!) We hope you had a happy Thanksgiving! If you’re suffering from a turkey hangover, you’ll be able to relate to these ten tuckered-out, turkey-loving canines! 1. First there’s this dog, who’s about to lapse into a food coma. Three words, my friends: Tryp-to-phan. Or “stuffed and lazy.” Or “I love food.” … Read more

9 Holiday Foods That Are Safe To Share With Your Dog

The holidays are here and that means more food than we (or your dog!) can imagine. It’s natural that you would want your dog to share in the festivities with a special treat from the table, but many popular holiday and Christmas dishes include ingredients that are not safe for dogs, like onion, sugar, and chocolate. Others, while not toxic, are just not healthy, such as those high in fat and starch. Butter, milk, and cheese can really tear up … Read more