Is Pasta Good For German Shepherds
To answer this question, firstly we need to take a look at what pasta is. You and I can eat all types of pasta and it has become an important part of our diet.
Once thought of as starchy and fattening, the staple food of pasta is now considered to be nutritious, convenient, simple and easy to make and low-cost. It also has a long shelf-life in its dried form and can last for many months.
Pasta is extremely versatile as it comes in all different shapes and sizes. It can be served as an appetizer, main course, side dish, salad, soup, or even as a dessert! As it is quite bland in flavor pasta is usually served with other foods and sauces. Common toppings include meat, cheese, vegetables, herbs, and spices.
But what exactly is pasta? One April Fools Day, I remember telling my young kids that it grows on pasta trees! Ha!
Pasta is mostly made from semolina flour, which is milled from durum wheat. It is then mixed into a dough with water or eggs and formed into the various shapes and sizes whereby it is cooked by either boiling or baking.
So, is pasta good for German Shepherds? The ingredients of durum wheat flour and egg in pasta are good for German Shepherds unless your dog has an allergy to either wheat or eggs!
Who can forget this famous spaghetti scene from Disneys Lady And The Tramp whereby the two dogs tuck into a huge plate of spaghetti and meatballs! No sauce, of course!
As pasta is a good source of immediate energy it may suit a very active or working dog.
Sodium Content In Bacon
Sodium is an important mineral that ensures that your dogs cells contain a balanced amount of electrolytes. It also aids in muscle growth and contributes to nerve health.
Too little sodium intake can cause conditions such as low blood pressure, restlessness, skin and hair problems, fatigue, and exhaustion.
The recommended sodium intake for an adult male dog is 13 mg per kilogram of body weight in a day. Hence, it is safe for an adult GSD weighing 30 kilograms to consume 390 mg of salt in a day.
A cooked slice of bacon contains about 137 mg of salt, so a large GSD can safely consume the occasional slice of bacon.
Even though a GSD can consume more sodium that that contained in 1 slice of bacon, remember that 390 mg is the maximum suggested daily intake.
Dog food also contains sodium, so you do not want to fulfill your GSDs entire daily intake by feeding her too much bacon at one time.
Can Dogs Eat Buttered Popcorn
No, Buttered popcorn is not suitable for your dog because it can cause stomach upsets. This is because it is hard to digest, and in the long term, it is capable of causing obesity and diabetes.
However, one or two pieces in a blue moon will not cause any serious problems. It is still highly recommended that you do not feed your dog buttered popcorn.
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What Dogs Are At Risk
Dogs of any breed, shape, or size are at risk for ingesting something harmful. However, some dogs may be more prone to eating things they shouldnt based on their personalities. While all dogs need to be protected from bad foods and toxic substances, dogs who are super curious or love to put things in their mouths may need closer supervision.
Can Dogs Eat Popcorn
Here’s everything you need to know in case your dog steals a nibble of your movie-night treat.
You and your pup may enjoy sharing a snack or meal together, but there are a host of foods you should steer clear of feeding your dog, including popcorn.
You should always avoid serving or giving your dog access to popcorn, according to Dr. Danielle Bernal, a veterinarian with Wellness Natural Pet Food. Popcorn can cause a host of issues in dogs when consumed, including allergic reactions and an upset stomach.
While it likely won’t cause a life-threatening reaction, corn is one of the most common food allergies in dogs and should be approached with caution. Just like dairy, wheat, soy, and other common allergens, corn can cause your dog to experience negative reactions or uncomfortable conditions like inflammation, diarrhea, or chronic gas.
What’s more, popcorn can lead to digestive issues. If your dog isn’t allergic to corn, the hard and fibrous kernels aren’t likely to make your dog sick, but they may still be difficult to digest. To avoid giving your pup foods that could be hazardous, follow these guidelines:
- Always remove thick, hard-to-chew skins or pieces from foods like fruits and vegetables before giving them to your dog.
- Monitor your dog while he’s eating to make sure he chews properly, and never leave hard-to-chew items around for him while you’re not home.
- Avoid serving foods that are too small to chew, like peanuts, almonds, and popcorn.
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Foods Toxic To German Shepherds
Poisoning episodes in dogs are usually due to a lack of knowledge by the owner, as reported by Frontiers in Veterinary Science, so whilst we are learning what human foods German Shepherds can eat, we should also take a look at what foods they cant eat.
Below you will find a list of the human foods your German Shepherd cant eat due to their toxicity. Some of the poisonings could result in serious illness or even the death of your dog, depending on the quantity of the food consumed and their level of toxicity.
You can find out loads more about these poisonous foods in my top article here.
- Alcohol
- Onions, Shallots, Leeks, and Chives
- Potato
- Xylitol
- Walnuts
The above list covers the main foods that you German Shepherd cant eat. However, if you are unsure about anything your dog has accidentally consumed, the Pet Poison Helpline not only lists foods but also includes plants, medicines, and household items.
Alternatively, if you suspect your dog has consumed something toxic, consult your veterinarian immediately, as timing can mean life or death in serious cases of dog poisoning. The sooner its treated, the better chance your dog has of a full recovery.
The Verdict: Is Corn Bad For Dogs
You may be thinking, My dog ate corn. Is this a concern? The simple answer is no. Corn serves as a vegetable, fruit, and a grain. It can provide several nutritional benefits to your furry friends diet, such as fiber, fatty acids, carbohydrates, proteins, etc.
However, you will want to be cautious of how you serve the corn to your dog. There are varying types of corn that are more harmful than others.
For instance, corn chips have high salt content, and the cob can cause severe intestinal issues for your dog. On the contrary, plain corn, such as corn kernels or canned corn, is a healthy treat.
Corn should not be the main constituent in your dogs diet. High amounts of fiber can initiate digestive issues. Therefore, you will want to serve corn in moderate amounts. Theres little to no harm in tossing your pup small amounts of plain popcorn while you watch a movie together.
With these previous factors acknowledged, you can assume that corn is perfectly safe for your dog to consume in moderation as long as he is not allergic.
Adding corn to his daily diet will not only enhance his nutritional benefits, but it will also enhance his love for you!
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Can I Feed Fake Bacon Bits To My German Shepherd
Its one thing to cook some bacon and chop it up to put on your GSDs food every once in a while, but do not feed artificial bacon bits to your dog. There is simply no good reason to do so.
Artificial bacon bits are highly processed, and even though the nutritional labels will seem relatively harmless, there is simply no benefit to be had for your dog.
Because they are so highly processed, fake bacon bits will simply pass through your dogs digestive system without conferring any tangible health benefits to her.
Artificial bacon bits also contain so little protein in comparison to real pork or turkey bacon, that it is hardly worth mentioning. At best, fake bacon bits contain 1/10 the amount of protein as the real thing.
Can Dogs Eat Popcorn Kernels
No popcorn kernels are hard and not a treat that you will want to give your dog. This can potentially choke your dog from the kernel and even cause tooth issues. The hardness of the kernel can damage your dogs teeth.
When giving your dog plain popcorn, make sure the kernels are fully popped and take out the ones that arent.
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List Of Foods That Dogs Cant Eat
Did you know a macadamia nut can poison your dog? There are all sorts of foods dogs shouldnt eat. Just because youre eating, it doesnt mean you should give it to your pup. Human foods are not dog food.
- Chocolate This has methylxanthines, which are toxic to a dog. They can cause irregular body movements, an uneven heart rate, diarrhea, and vomiting.
- Cinnamon This is bad for dogs because it lowers their blood sugar too much and irritates the mouths inside.
- Garlic, Onions, Leeks, Chives These have delayed symptoms. They cause weakness, elevated heart beat, and collapse. Garlic is the most dangerous.
- Macadamia Nuts These are toxic to a dog and make him sluggish and unable to walk. They raise body temperature and affect the nervous system.
- Xylitol This sweetener, found in candy, peanut butter, and other products, causes low blood sugar, seizures, and liver failure.
- Alcohol Poisonous to a dog, this gets into the blood cells and means intoxication, respiratory distress, coma, and death.
- Caffeine, coffee This equals elevated blood pressure, seizures, and death.
- Raisins, grapes a few of these will cause vomiting, low energy, and kidney failure.
- Avocado It contains Persin, which causes diarrhea, vomiting, and heart congestion. The seeds are the most dangerous and can cause choking.
- Yeast This will expand in the stomach and can cause a rupture or alcohol poisoning.
Can Dogs Eat Peas And Corns
Being a Dog parent comes with all kinds of responsibilities. One of them is being aware of the diet your dog needs to have. Dogs are omnivores, meaning they can have both meat and veggies as part of their regular diet. However, in vegetarian households, it may not be always feasible to feed meat or non-vegetarian dog food to your dog.
Corn and peas have been upheld amongst the public as a great source of nutrition. Yet others will ask you to desist from feeding your dog such grains and seeds. To put a rest to all your doubts and queries, we will answer this question which has elicited a lot of heated debate: can dogs eat corn and peas?
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Is Popcorn Safe For Cats
The answer isnt as clear as black and white as it depends on a number of factors. In terms of life-threatening foods for cats, popcorn is in the clear as it isnt toxic to felines. However, this mainly goes for plain popcorn and in situations where cats have eaten just a few of these treats.
Problems can arise in cases where cats eat popcorn with additives and added ingredients such as butter, salt, onion, and so on. Furthermore, any other types of popcorn, like those coated in sugar, can also lead to health issues for your feline.
Popcorn with high concentrations of salt in them can cause many problems as excess salt is toxic to pets. They can develop issues such as sodium poisoning, dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea, and more.
The 10 Worst Snack Foods For Dogs
Dogs and people love snacks, but some snacks are worse than others. If your dog is getting a little thick around the middle or downright pudgy, it could be they are getting more calories that you realize from people sized snacks.
Just like people, overweight dogs are prone to type 2 diabetes, heart disease, respiratory problems, osteoarthritis, arthritis, high blood pressure, and cancer.
While the caloric needs for dogs vary depending upon their size, ideal weight, and activity level, some snacks are worse than others. A good guideline to follow is one you use for yourself, the higher the fat in foods, the more calories. Fried and high carbohydrate foods are the worst offenders at packing on the pounds.
The 10 worst snack foods for dogs include:
- Potato chips: 10 chips = 152 calories
- Blueberry muffins: 1 medium muffin = 426 calories
- Donuts: 1 iced maple bar = 460 calories
- Ice cream: ½ cup vanilla = 230 calories
- Sour dough pretzels: 1 Rolled Gold = 90 calories
- Cheese: 1 small slice = 140 calories
- Hot dogs: 1 beef hot dog = 126 calories
- Peanut Butter: 2 teaspoons = 188
- Microwave popcorn: 1 cup butter flavor = 120 calories
- Bread: 1 slice = 185 calories
To bring calories into perspective, the following is a simple weight chart for dogs. Keep in mind that each dog is different based on their metabolism and resting energy level. This chart is simply a guide and not a substitute for your veterinarians recommendations.
Ideal Weight/Calories to Feed
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What Can Dogs Eat
Corn is available in a variety of forms. Are any or all of these forms healthy for your dog to partake in?
As a pup parent, you will want to ensure that youre only providing your dog with the most nutritional foods.
If you shared corn with your dog, dont fret! Corn is not only suitable for them to eat, but it is also beneficial to their healthy diet!
Keep It Light And Poppin Fresh
Similar dangers present themselves in other popcorn variants, from kettle corn and Cracker Jack to caramel corn and cheddar cheese popcorn in the snack aisle at the grocery store. While the mere mention of these festive and flavorful snack treats is enough to invoke happy memories of childhood, none of these is at all good for my dog or yours. Excessive sweeteners, flavorings, and chemical preservatives make each of these popcorn varieties health hazards for our dogs.
If you want to share popcorn with your dog, stick to unseasoned, air-popped popping corn. If you feel you must season it at all and still want to share with your puppy pal, a very light dash of nutritional yeast is all the flavoring you need.
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Shaving Wont Help Coat Blow
If you dont know what coat blow is, its when your shepherd changes from their winter coat into their summer coat. The dogs undercoat is very comfortable and thick, keeping them warm in the winter. When summer comes around this is not very comfortable anymore, so they shed their undercoats.
This is a period where they shed way more than usual. You will not enjoy it, but theres no way to fully stop it. Shaving doesnt really help at all. There are other ways that can reduce shedding other than shaving all their fur off. We will talk about better alternatives to the situation later on.
What Is The Right Way To Feed Popcorn To A Puppy
If you are looking forward to sharing your midday popcorn snack with your puppy, then you should make it the right way so that the experience of consuming popcorn for your pet is not ruined.
The things you should look out before you feed your pet popcorns is that you should not feed your pet the precooked popcorns that come in a pack or the popcorns that are microwaved as these types of popcorn may contain some element of oil or salt in it which can be unhealthy for your little pooch.
You should always go for unpopped kernels as you will be making it yourself so it will not be harmful to your pet.
To make the experience perfect for your pet, you should air-pop them so that there is no need for oil to be added to the popcorn.
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Popcorn Flavor Options For Dogs
If plain, air-popped popcorn seems too boring for you and your dog, there are some safe things you can add to spice up your pup’s popcorn. A small amount of melted cheddar cheese, bacon bits, or even peanut butter can add a lot of flavor to popcorn. These items are of course not as healthy as plain popcorn though, so they should only be offered on occasion and in moderation.
How To Get Your Cat To Stop Eating Popcorn
Maybe your cat got a taste of popcorn once and loved it so much theyre always trying to get their paws on your bowl. Or their curiosity just gets the better of them and they try to munch on the few kernels they find on the ground. How do you stop them?
Youll use the same techniques you use to train them for things they arent supposed to do. The first is just telling them a firm no and not giving into your felines demands.
Secondly, you can cover your bowl anytime you leave the room. Also make sure you pick up any kernels off the floor before your furry friend can bite into them.
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What To Do If Your Puppy Has Consumed Kernels Of Popcorn In A Large Amount
If your puppy has consumed unpopped kernels or popcorn in a large amount in your absence, then you should take your pet to the vet as it may be harmful to your puppy.
Eating unpopped kernels can make your puppy choke on them, so it is better not to take any risk with the health of your pet, and you should take your pet for a complete checkup so that your pets life is not at risk.