What Do I Feed My Dogs?
My husband Patrick thinks I’m a little over the top when it comes to my dogs.
He’s not wrong.
But when you’ve spent your entire life around animals and your dogs are basically your children, it’s hard not to put a little extra thought into what goes into their bowls.
One of the questions I get asked all the time is, “What do you feed your dogs?”
The answer is… a little bit of everything.
I’m a huge believer in rotation. I don’t believe there’s a one-size-fits-all food. I like variety in my dogs’ bowls, just like I like variety in my own meals (as long as bacon is involved. I have a bacon problem, but I’m seeing someone about it, so it’s okay.)
That means rotating proteins, adding fresh foods, and changing things up based on what each individual dog needs.
Because let me tell you, my dogs are all very different little personalities.
Riptide, Lucky, and Penny each have their own color-coded meal containers. Partly because it keeps me organized, and partly because it keeps Patrick from accidentally giving the wrong meal to the wrong dog.
- Riptide is green.
- Lucky is blue.
- Penny is pink.
Yes, we have reached the level of color-coded dog meals in this household.
Most of their meals start with fresh food and a splash of goat milk. If you have a picky dog at home, goat milk is basically the magic sauce. I swear you can convince almost any dog to eat something when you put goat milk on top.
I may add things like sardines for naturally occurring omega fatty acids and taurine, or a vegetable blend to provide additional nutrients and variety.
Then Come the Supplements
This is where I really tailor things to each dog.
Lucky is my energizer bunny. “Go, go, go” doesn’t even begin to describe him. He runs hot, he never stops moving, and he always has somewhere important to be. So I choose supplements that support his heart and overall cardiovascular health.
Miss Penny has had some urinary and bladder concerns, so her supplements focus on supporting her urinary tract and keeping things functioning properly.
All three dogs also receive supplements that support their overall wellness and liver health. We can’t put our pets in a bubble (although trust me, I’ve probably considered it). They walk on treated grass, they’re exposed to environmental toxins, and they live in the same world we do. I simply try to give their bodies a little extra support.
And Now… the Snoods
And now we get to the part where Patrick really thinks I’ve lost my mind.
The snoods.
Yes, my dogs wear little snoods at mealtime.
Yes, I realize how ridiculous that sounds.
But when you have long ears, goat milk, and a mushy meal, desperate times call for desperate measures.
The funny part is they know the routine. I pull out the snoods and they walk over, sit politely, and put their heads right through it like, “Okay, human, let’s get this over with so we can eat.”
The Takeaway
But here’s what I want everyone to take away from this:
You do not have to feed your dog like I feed mine. Unless you also enjoy color-coded meals and buying your dogs accessories for dinnertime. Then we should probably be friends.
You do not need a refrigerator full of toppers, color-coded containers, or a dog wardrobe that includes mealtime accessories.
Maybe you start by adding a little fresh food to your dog’s bowl. Maybe you rotate proteins. Maybe you add goat milk, a healthy topper, or a few whole-food additions.
Nutrition isn’t about perfection.
It’s about making better choices where you can, doing what works for your budget and schedule, and creating a plan that is realistic for your family.
Because the best feeding plan is the one you can stick with.
And if that plan happens to include a dog wearing a snood while eating dinner…
Welcome to the club.
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