What dogs eat (and don’t eat) in the wild • Honey's Real Dog Food (2024)

Every species should eat a biologically appropriate diet, in other words what they would eat in the wild or as close to what they would eat in the wild as is feasible. In the case of dogs there is quite a lot of variety in their natural diet.

What dogs eat in the wild

Dogs are carnivores and the primary component of their diet is prey. This could be small animals – mice, voles, rabbits, birds, insects and so forth – or it could be larger prey caught with the help of a pack. Either way, they eat everything – the internal organs, the meat, the bones… the lot.

Unlike cats, dogs aren’t obligate carnivores. They can and do eat vegetable matter. Wild dogs will search for rotten fruit and will eat the semi-digested contents of their prey’s stomach. Some will dig up vegetables and eat grasses and herbs. Dogs are also scavengers. They eat the leftovers from every animal that is killed or dies. As Ian Billinghurst, a leading proponent of natural feeding, has pointed out, dogs receive ‘valuable nutrients from materials that we humans find totally repugnant. Things like vomit, faeces and decaying flesh.’

With regard to the faeces, incidentally, these contain the dead and living bodies of millions upon billions of bacteria. They are an excellent source of protein, essential fatty acids, fat-soluble vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, enzymes and fibre.

Not wanting to dwell on an unpleasant subject, but if you have a dog that is on a processed food diet he or she may be eating faeces in order to try to stay healthy (although if a dog is eating canine or feline faeces it will probably be because they contain the undigested flavourings used to make dry dog food palatable).

What dogs don’t eat in the wild

Almost as important as what dogs eat in the wild is what they don’t eat.

For starters (as it were), they don’t necessarily eat every day. Depending on where they live, the season, the size of the pack, the available prey and other factors, they may eat as infrequently as every second or third day or even longer without suffering any ill effect. A healthy dog can go a week without food.

Second, and perhaps more important, they don’t eat ‘complete’ meals. Dogs meet their nutritional requirements over time. They will eat what they need or seek it out if their body is telling them they need it. This is referred to as the ‘balance over time’ concept. It is crucial to the way dogs should be fed because there is evidence that dogs fed all the ingredients they need in proportion at every meal suffer increased health problems.

Finally, dogs don’t eat grain. They can’t digest it properly and, even if they could, they can’t convert it into sugar and store it for later use.

For more information and advice please contact Honey’s – we’ll be happy to help even if you never, ever plan to become a customer.

Email: info@honeysrealdogfood.com

Phone: 01672 620 260

What dogs eat (and don’t eat) in the wild • Honey's Real Dog Food (2024)

FAQs

What dogs eat (and don’t eat) in the wild • Honey's Real Dog Food? ›

In short, raw bones are the natural thing for dogs to eat. It is what they eat in the wild. Dogs should never, however, be fed cooked bones.

What dogs in wild eat? ›

Wild dogs feed opportunistically. That is, they will eat whatever is easiest to obtain when they are hungry. They scavenge and will eat animal or vegetable matter, will hunt for live prey, or will eat road-killed animals, dead livestock, and scraps from compost heaps or rubbish tips.

Is there a problem with taste of the wild dog food? ›

It is a very popular brand and a lot of people feed it without issues, but yes, there are some concerns in the vet community that grain free diets may be responsible for a cardiac issue called dilated cardiomyopathy.

What is forbidden dog food? ›

20 Toxic Foods for Dogs. Many household foods are dangerous—and often toxic—to dogs. Some of the most common food poisonings in dogs are connected to alcohol, avocado, macadamia nuts, grapes and raisins, Xylitol, and chocolate.

What is forbidden to feed the dog? ›

Never give your pets anything containing the artificial sweetener Xylitol, chocolate, alcohol, dough containing yeast, citrus fruits, coconut, cow's milk, coffee, macadamia nuts, onions, chives or leeks. What foods can dogs not eat?

Do dogs in the wild eat grains? ›

While wolves and wild dogs may graze a bit on greens periodically, most of their nutrition comes from meat, including organ meat, like the stomach and intestines of their prey, which contains small amounts of partially digested grasses and other vegetation. This plant matter contains no processed grains.

What meat do dogs eat in the wild? ›

What dogs eat in the wild. Dogs are carnivores and the primary component of their diet is prey. This could be small animals – mice, voles, rabbits, birds, insects and so forth – or it could be larger prey caught with the help of a pack. Either way, they eat everything – the internal organs, the meat, the bones… the lot ...

What do chihuahuas eat in the wild? ›

In the wild, dogs often eat plant eating animals or “herbivores”, and consume the entire animal including hair, bones, entrails, blood, and their stomach contents.

What is the lawsuit against Taste of the Wild? ›

A concerned pet owner recently filed a class action lawsuit against the maker of Taste of the Wild dog food claiming that the products are contaminated with heavy metals, pesticides, and other harmful chemicals. Plaintiff Martin Grossman is suing defendant Diamond Pet Foods Inc.

Can senior dogs eat Taste of the Wild? ›

Taste of the Wild Products

In addition to our puppy recipes you can also feed your puppy any of our All Life Stages recipes, which are recipes developed to meet the nutritional needs of dogs at all ages, from puppy to senior.

Is cheese bad for dogs? ›

Don't worry—cheese is not toxic and is completely fine for most pups. However, some dogs can be lactose intolerant, meaning their body does not react well to dairy products. But even if your dog isn't lactose intolerant, it's still a good idea to keep their cheese consumption to a minimum.

What is the number one most toxic food for dogs? ›

These are the top 10 most toxic foods for dogs that pet owners should avoid to keep their pets healthy and safe:
  1. Chocolate. The top food harmful to dogs is chocolate. ...
  2. Grapes, Raisins, Sultanas, and Currants. ...
  3. Artificial Sweeteners(Xylitol) ...
  4. Onions and Garlic. ...
  5. Caffeine. ...
  6. Alcohol. ...
  7. Macadamia Nuts. ...
  8. Dairy Products.
Sep 27, 2023

What dog foods should I avoid? ›

Any meat with excessive salt, seasonings, onions or garlic should not be fed. Wheat/grains: Yes, dogs can eat wheat and other grains. Dogs do not have to be grain-free; it is perfectly OK for them to have grains. In fact, grains like wheat and corn are great sources of protein, essential fatty acids, and fiber.

What is the healthiest meat for dogs? ›

Chicken, turkey, lean ground beef, and chuck steak or roast are animal-based proteins, which help dogs grow strong. A few rules apply: Always cook meat well. Never serve it raw or undercooked.

Can a dog eat a banana? ›

Yes, dogs can eat bananas. It's tempting to share tasty fruit with your dog, especially when they're staring at you longingly. The good news is dogs can eat bananas in reasonable quantities as an occasional treat. Our experts explain how and when to treat your dog to this fruit without causing digestive upset.

Are eggs good for dogs? ›

Eggs are nutritious for both people and dogs. They can be tasty treats or a hearty breakfast, whether they're hard-boiled, poached, scrambled, or over easy. A cooked entire egg or yolk can be good for your dog, unless your pet has a pre-existing health condition like acute pancreatitis or diabetes.

What dog eats the most? ›

7 Dog Breeds with the Biggest Appetites
  1. Labrador Retriever. Labrador Retrievers are notorious for their love of food. ...
  2. Beagle. Beagles, though small to medium in size, have an impressive appetite. ...
  3. Golden Retriever. ...
  4. German Shepherd. ...
  5. Rottweiler. ...
  6. Bulldog. ...
  7. Saint Bernard.
Jan 29, 2024

Do dogs in the wild eat fruit? ›

Wild dogs are omnivores, unlike wolves, which are carnivores. So, wild dogs will eat anything from meat to vegetables and fruits.

What do dogs eat in the yard? ›

What Dogs Eat & Why
  • Grass. Dogs will often nibble on grass, although some dogs enjoy grass-eating far more than others. ...
  • Dirt. In puppies, eating dirt is a common behavior. ...
  • Rocks. Some of our canine companions absolutely love to play with and eat rocks. ...
  • Poop.
Feb 15, 2022

Do wild dogs eat raw meat? ›

Raw meat aligns with dogs' biological needs

Wolves still eat raw meat in the wild but it is important to remember that the dogs that live with us today are very distant relatives of the wolves they are descended from.

Do wild dogs eat eggs? ›

Dogs can safely eat raw eggs as their wild cousins like wolves, coyotes and foxes do. Wild dogs grab eggs out of nests and eat them raw, shell and all. And that's the best way to feed them to your dog.

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