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Dog Nutrition

What to feed, how to switch, and how to read what's actually in the bag.

147 articles

Brown dog with a pink collar eating from a white bowl beside a green sofa

Dog Food Toppers: Do You Need One and How Do You Choose?

Thinking of adding a topper to your dog's food? Check what it is for, whether it fits the feeding plan and which pack details matter before adding it.

9 min read

Pomeranian waiting beside a bowl while a person pours dry food from a cup

How to measure dog food in grams

Weigh the amount in your dog's feeding plan using kitchen scales. Learn how to zero the bowl, check cup instructions and avoid counting an amount twice.

8 min read

Hands holding a plain paper bag of dry dog food above a white bowl

How to store dog food after opening

Keep dry and wet dog food safely: understand pack instructions, storage containers, batch details and when to ask the manufacturer or your vet.

8 min read

Pomeranian waiting beside a bowl while a person pours dry food from a cup

How many times a day should you feed a dog?

Two measured meals are a useful starting point for many adult dogs. Learn how to split a daily ration, adapt the routine and interpret once-a-day research.

9 min read

Young beagle eating from a white divided bowl on a wooden floor

When should you switch a puppy to adult dog food?

Puppies mature at different rates. Learn how growth, expected adult size and the food label guide the switch, and how to prepare for a gradual change.

8 min read

Hands holding a plain paper bag of dry dog food above a white bowl

Complete vs complementary dog food: what the UK label means

Learn what complete and complementary mean on UK dog-food labels, what else to check, and when a topper, mixer or treat is not a full meal.

9 min read

Brown dog with a pink collar eating from a white bowl beside a green sofa

Mixing wet and dry dog food: an ongoing portion guide

You can mix suitable wet and dry dog food. Learn how to adjust both portions, read feeding guides and avoid accidentally serving two full daily rations.

10 min read

Health guide

Does neutering make dogs gain weight? What to monitor

Neutering is linked with a higher overweight risk, but weight gain is not inevitable. Learn what to monitor and why there is no automatic ration cut.

9 min read

Health guide

Grain-Free Dog Treats UK: What to Check

Grain-free dog treats leave out cereals, but that does not make them low-carb or hypoallergenic. Use five label checks to choose the right treat.

6 min read

Health guide

Best dog treats for training: choose the right reward for the job

Choose a dog training treat by reward size, texture, dietary fit and the job you are practising. A UK guide without a universal best-product claim.

8 min read

Health guide

How many treats can a dog have? Count the whole day, not just biscuits

There is no safe universal treat count. Audit every extra, compare calorie density and monitor body condition to build your dog's daily treat plan.

7 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Buckwheat? A Cautious Answer

Buckwheat is not a simple yes-or-no food for dogs. Understand the difference between groats, plants and.

8 min read

Health guide

Feeding an active dog: adjust the bowl without guessing

Should an active dog eat more? Use body condition, weight trend, workload and the whole diet to make a measured change, not a fixed percentage.

8 min read

An owner gently feeling along a relaxed dog's ribcage at home

Healthy weight for dogs: check body condition and choose the next feeding step

Check ribs, waist and body condition, audit meals and treats, and see when your vet should set the feeding plan. No universal calorie chart.

12 min read

Health guide

Natural Dog Treats in the UK: What the Word Does and Does Not Mean

"Natural" is not a tested claim on a UK dog treat. What the word must mean, why natural does not mean safe, and the four things worth reading instead.

18 min read

Health guide

Dog Treats for Sensitive Stomachs: What Actually Matters

"Sensitive stomach" is a marketing phrase, not a regulated claim. The five things worth checking on a treat label, and when the problem is not food at all.

20 min read

Health guide

Dog Treats Without Chicken: How to Actually Avoid It

A treat named after another animal can still contain chicken. Which label words hide it, which ingredient lists you can trust, and what to buy instead.

15 min read

Health guide

Senior Dog Food and Feeding: What Changes With Age?

Age alone does not mean your dog needs senior food. Check body condition, muscle, appetite and health, then decide what to change and why.

10 min read

Health guide

Cold-Pressed Dog Food UK: What It Is and How to Choose

Cold-pressed describes how dry dog food is made, not automatic superiority. Check the evidence, compare five UK options and choose by the finished food.

12 min read

A greyhound standing beside a full food bowl and looking away

My Dog Won't Eat: A Practical Fussy-Eater Guide

First rule out illness. Then use a simple feeding routine, check freshness and texture, and know when a missed meal means calling your vet.

11 min read

Health guide

Large-breed puppy feeding: how much matters most

Fed 25% less than free feeding, Labradors halved their hip dysplasia. Protein has not been shown to be the cause. Excess calcium harms growing bone.

13 min read

Health guide

High-fibre dog food: how to read the label, not the promise

Crude fibre on a UK dog food label is a floor, not a total. How to read the pack, and how to match the fibre type to your dog's actual problem.

9 min read

Health guide

Best Hypoallergenic Dog Food UK: Choose by Your Dog's Needs

Compare hydrolysed, novel-protein, plant-based and limited-ingredient dog foods honestly. See which approach fits a food trial, known trigger or daily feeding.

18 min read

Illustration reading ‘Poo is data: the daily readout you keep binning’

Best Dog Food for a Sensitive Stomach? A UK Guide

Soft stools, wind or recurring tummy trouble? Compare sensitive-stomach dog foods honestly and learn when a diet change is useful or a vet is needed.

9 min read

Health guide

Is Chitin Good for Dogs? The Prebiotic Hiding in Insect Protein

Chitin is the fibre in an insect's shell and it behaves like a prebiotic. What the research shows, what it does not, and why no meat protein has it.

7 min read

Health guide

Homemade Hypoallergenic Dog Treats: Simple, Safe Recipes

The safest homemade treats use one or two ingredients your dog has never reacted to. Simple recipes, plus what to avoid while a food trial is running.

9 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Yoghurt? Plain and Unsweetened, Yes for Most

It depends on the yoghurt and the dog. Plain, unsweetened natural or Greek yoghurt is fine for most dogs in.

6 min read

A lurcher resting beside a small bowl of plainly cooked white fish

Can Dogs Eat White Fish? Yes, Cod and Haddock Are Great Cooked Plain

Yes. Haddock is a lean white fish dogs can eat when it is cooked plain and served without bones. See why smoked haddock is different.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Walnuts? No, and Mouldy Ones Are an Emergency

Walnuts are best avoided: mouldy or fallen nuts can trigger tremors and seizures, and whole nuts can block the gut. When a vet call is needed.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Turkey? Yes, Plain Meat Only, Skip the Trimmings

Yes, for most dogs. Plain cooked turkey meat with no bones, skin or seasoning is a lean, digestible protein.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Sweetcorn? Yes, Off the Cob. The Cob Is the Danger

It depends on the form. Sweetcorn kernels are safe and digestible for most dogs in modest amounts, plain and.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potato? Yes, Cooked and Plain It's a Good One

Plain cooked sweet potato is one of the safer human foods to share with a dog. Why it must be cooked, sensible portions, and what to skip on top.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Stuffing? No, Sage and Onion Is the Problem

No. Almost all stuffing, from the classic sage and onion packet mix to posh homemade versions, is built on.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Spinach? Small Amounts, but Not for Every Dog

It depends. Small amounts of plain cooked spinach are fine for most healthy dogs, and it carries iron.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Sausages? The Odd Bite, but the Seasoning Is the Catch

It depends. A small piece of plain cooked sausage now and then will not harm most healthy dogs, but sausages.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Sausage Rolls? A Stolen Bite Is Fine, a Habit Is Not

It depends. A small bite of plain sausage roll will not hurt most healthy dogs, so a buffet theft is rarely a drama.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Sardines? Yes, One of the Best Fish You Can Share

Don't feed sardines in tomato sauce before checking the label for onion or garlic. Both are toxic to dogs; after ingestion, contact your vet.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Salmon? Yes, Cooked and Boneless Is Genuinely Good

Yes, for most dogs. Plain cooked salmon is one of the better human foods you can share: quality protein plus.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Raspberries? Yes, a Few at a Time Is Fine

Yes, in moderation. Raspberries are safe for most dogs and make a decent low-calorie treat: soft, low in sugar for a fruit, and full of fibre and.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Quinoa? Yes, Cooked, Plain and in Modest Amounts

Yes, for most dogs. Cooked, plain quinoa is safe and appears in some commercial dog foods.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin? Yes, Plain Cooked Pumpkin Is a Good One

Yes. Plain cooked or pureed pumpkin is one of the safer human foods you can share, and vets often suggest it.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Prawns? Yes, if They're Cooked, Peeled and Plain

It depends on how they arrive. Plain, cooked, peeled prawns are safe for most dogs in small amounts and offer.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Potatoes? Cooked and Plain, Yes. Raw or Green, No

It depends on how they are prepared. Plain, cooked potato (boiled, baked or mashed with nothing added) is.

7 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Porridge Oats? Yes, Plain and Cooked, in Moderation

Yes, for most dogs. Plain porridge oats cooked in water are safe and gentle on the stomach, offering soluble fibre, B vitamins and slow-release energy.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Pork? Plain and Cooked, Yes. Most Pork Isn't That

It depends. Plain, well-cooked pork with the fat trimmed is safe for most dogs in modest amounts.

7 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Plums? The Flesh Is Fine, the Stone Is Not

It depends. A little ripe plum flesh is safe for most dogs as an occasional nibble, and some dogs love it.

6 min read

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Can Dogs Eat Pistachios? Best Not, Mostly Because of the Shells

Best avoided. Pistachios are not toxic to dogs in the way grapes or macadamias are, but they are usually sold.

6 min read

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Can Dogs Eat Pineapple? Yes, Fresh and in Small Chunks

Yes, for most dogs. Fresh pineapple flesh is safe and most dogs enjoy the sweetness.

6 min read

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Can Dogs Eat Peas? Yes, and Frozen Ones Make a Neat Treat

Yes. Garden peas, petits pois, sugar snaps and mangetout are all safe for most dogs, fresh, frozen or cooked.

6 min read

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Can Dogs Eat Pears? Yes, Cored and Cut Small

Yes, for most dogs. Ripe pear flesh is safe, gentle on most stomachs and low-drama as fruits go.

6 min read

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Can Dogs Eat Peanuts? Yes, Plain and Unsalted, in Moderation

Yes, for most dogs. Plain, unsalted peanuts are not toxic and most dogs tolerate a few as an occasional.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Peanut Butter? Yes, but Only if It's Xylitol Free

It depends entirely on the jar. Plain peanut butter with no xylitol is safe for most dogs in small amounts and is the classic Kong filler and pill.

7 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Peaches? The Flesh Yes, the Stone Absolutely Not

It depends what you mean by peach. The flesh is safe for most dogs in small amounts and makes a pleasant.

7 min read

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Can Dogs Eat Pasta? Plain Is Fine, the Sauce Usually Isn't

It depends. Plain, cooked pasta is safe for most dogs in small amounts, though it offers little beyond.

6 min read

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Can Dogs Eat Parsnips? Yes, Just Not the Honey Roast Ones

Yes. Plain parsnips are safe for most dogs and bring fibre, potassium and folate.

6 min read

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Can Dogs Eat Oranges? Yes, the Flesh in Small Amounts

Yes, for most dogs. Orange flesh is not toxic and a segment or two makes a perfectly reasonable occasional.

6 min read

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Can Dogs Eat Mince? Yes, Plain and Cooked Is a Decent Option

Yes, for most dogs. Plain, cooked mince with no seasoning is a perfectly good protein source and a well worn.

7 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Milk? Most Adult Dogs Struggle With Lactose

It depends, and for many dogs the honest answer leans no. Milk is not toxic, but most adult dogs produce.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Melon? Yes, Minus the Skin and Seeds

Yes, in moderation. Cantaloupe, honeydew and other melons are safe for most dogs once you remove the skin and.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Marshmallows? No, and Sugar-Free Ones Are an Emergency

No. Regular marshmallows are essentially sugar and gelatine, which offer a dog nothing and upset plenty of stomachs.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Mango? Yes, Peeled and Without the Stone

Yes, for most dogs. Ripe mango flesh is safe, soft and popular with dogs, and a few small cubes make a good.

6 min read

A Labrador waiting near a plate of plainly cooked mackerel

Can Dogs Eat Mackerel? Yes, and It's One of the Better Fish to Share

Plain cooked mackerel or tins in spring water are fine occasionally for most dogs. See safe portions, bones to check for and the versions to skip.

6 min read

A Jack Russell beside a plate of fresh lettuce

Can Dogs Eat Lettuce? Yes, It's Safe, Just Not Very Useful

Lettuce is safe for dogs and can be a low-calorie crunch, but it offers little nutrition. Serve it washed and plain, and avoid dressed salads.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Lentils? Yes, Cooked and Plain

Yes. Plain, well-cooked lentils are safe for most dogs and turn up in plenty of commercial dog foods as a source of plant protein and fibre.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Lamb? Yes in Moderation, but It's a Fatty Meat

It depends, though it leans yes. Plain cooked lamb is a perfectly good protein for most dogs and features in.

7 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Kale? A Little Is Fine, a Lot Is Not

It depends. A small amount of plain kale now and then is fine for most healthy dogs, and it is dense in.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Hummus? No, Because of the Garlic

No—do not feed hummus to dogs. If it contains garlic or onion, those are toxic to dogs; if yours ate some, check the label and call your vet.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Green Beans? Yes, One of the Best Veg Treats Going

Yes—dogs can eat green beans. The guide covers raw green beans and cooked runner beans, with one key caveat: avoid onion or garlic seasoning.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Gravy? Usually Not Ours, Because of Onion and Salt

It depends entirely on the gravy. Plain meat juices with nothing added are fine drizzled over a dog's dinner.

7 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Ginger? A Little Fresh Ginger Is Fine for Most Dogs

It depends. Small amounts of fresh ginger are safe for most dogs, and it has a folk reputation for settling.

7 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Figs? A Little Fresh Fig Is Fine for Most Dogs

Fig rolls are sugary biscuits, so skip them as a dog treat. A little fresh fig is fine for most dogs; check labels and avoid products with xylitol.

7 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Dates? A Small Piece Is Fine, but Sugar Adds Up Fast

It depends. Dates are not toxic to dogs, and it is worth saying clearly that they are nothing to do with.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Crisps? No, and the Flavouring Is the Real Problem

No. One dropped crisp will not poison a healthy dog, but crisps have no place in a dog's diet.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Cranberries? Yes, Plain Ones, and Watch the Mixes

Plain fresh or frozen cranberries are safe for most dogs in small amounts. Find the products to skip, especially dried-fruit mixes with raisins.

6 min read

A terrier beside a plate of plain courgette pieces

Can Dogs Eat Courgette? Yes, One of the Safest Veg to Share

Plain raw or cooked courgette is a safe, low-calorie treat for most dogs. See portions by size and why bitter homegrown courgettes are out.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Coconut? Yes, in Small Amounts, Minus the Shell

Yes, for most dogs. Plain coconut flesh is not toxic and many dogs enjoy a small piece as an occasional.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Chillies? No, Spice and Dogs Do Not Mix

No. Chillies are not toxic in the way grapes or chocolate are, but the capsaicin that makes them hot is a.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Chickpeas? Yes, Plain and Cooked. Hummus Doesn't Count

Yes. Plain, cooked chickpeas are safe for most dogs in small amounts and offer fibre, plant protein and B.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Chicken? Yes, Plainly Cooked, With Two Caveats

Yes, for most dogs. Plain cooked chicken with no bones, skin or seasoning is a lean protein dogs digest well.

7 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Cherries? Best Not, the Stones Are the Problem

Cherries are best avoided for dogs: stones can block the gut and their stems and leaves contain cyanogenic compounds. What to do if your dog eats some.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Celery? Yes, Chopped Small. Mind the Strings

Yes. Plain celery is safe for most dogs and one of the lightest snacks going: mostly water, very low in.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Cauliflower? Yes, Plain and in Moderation

Yes. Plain cauliflower is safe for most dogs, raw or cooked, and it is low in calories with a decent hit of fibre and vitamins.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Cashews? A Few Plain Ones, Occasionally

It depends. Plain, unsalted, roasted cashews are not toxic to dogs, and most healthy dogs will be fine with.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Cake? No, and Some Cakes Are a Genuine Emergency

No. A lick of plain sponge will not harm most dogs, but cake as a category is sugar, fat and refined flour a.

7 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Cabbage? Yes, Though Their Bottom May Disagree

Yes. Cabbage in all its forms, white, red, savoy, is safe for dogs in modest amounts and brings fibre.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Butter? Best Not, It Is Pure Fat They Don't Need

Best avoided. Butter is not toxic to dogs, but it is almost pure saturated fat with a decent hit of salt, and.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Brussels Sprouts? Yes, but Brace for the Wind

Yes. Plain cooked Brussels sprouts are safe for most dogs and carry useful fibre, vitamin C and vitamin K.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Blackberries? Yes, and Many Pick Their Own

Most dogs can eat ripe blackberries from bramble bushes in moderation. Avoid unknown hedgerow berries, contaminated fruit and onion or garlic seasoning.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Biscuits? Human Ones, Best Not. Here's Why

Best avoided. A plain human biscuit is not poisonous to dogs, but biscuits bundle sugar, fat and wheat with.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Bell Peppers? Yes, Plain and Deseeded

Yes. Sweet bell peppers (red, yellow, orange or green) are safe for most dogs in moderation. Red peppers carry the most vitamins.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Beetroot? Plain and Cooked, Yes. Pickled, No

It depends on the form. Plain cooked beetroot in small amounts is safe for most dogs and brings fibre, folate.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Beef? Yes, Lean and Plain. Watch Fat and Seasoning

Yes, for most dogs. Lean, plainly cooked beef is a solid protein rich in iron and zinc, and one of the most.

7 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Baked Beans? Best Not. It's the Sauce, Not the Beans

Best avoided. The haricot beans themselves are harmless, but the tomato sauce they sit in is high in sugar and salt, and many recipes include onion or.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Bacon? A Scrap Won't Hurt Most, but It's a Poor Habit

It depends. Bacon is not toxic, so a small scrap once in a while will not hurt most healthy dogs.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Avocado? The Flesh Is Debated, the Stone Is Not

It depends, and this one is genuinely debated. Ripe avocado flesh contains only low levels of persin and a.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Asparagus? Yes, Cooked and Plain, in Small Pieces

Yes. Asparagus is not toxic to dogs, and a few plain cooked pieces are a perfectly safe nibble.

6 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Anchovies? Yes, but the Cure and the Salt Decide It

It depends on the tin. Fresh or plainly prepared anchovies are a brilliant little fish for dogs: small, low.

6 min read

An owner gently checks a Westie's paw beside a garden doorway

Westie Allergies: Skin Signs, Causes and Next Steps

Westies have a documented atopic dermatitis risk, but breed does not identify the trigger. See which signs to record and how vets investigate them.

10 min read

An owner gently checks a Labrador's ear beside a woodland path

Labrador Allergies: Signs, Causes and What to Check

Labradors have a documented atopic dermatitis risk, but paws and ears do not reveal the trigger. See the evidence and a practical route to your vet.

10 min read

An owner gently checks the skin behind a Cockapoo's ear

Cockapoo Allergies: Signs, Evidence and Next Steps

Cockapoos can have allergies, but good comparative breed-risk evidence is limited. See what ears, paws and skin can tell you and what they cannot.

10 min read

An owner gently dries and checks a French Bulldog's paw after a walk

French Bulldog Allergies: Signs, Causes and Next Steps

French Bulldogs can be prone to skin trouble, but breed cannot tell you whether food is responsible. See what to notice and what to ask your vet.

11 min read

Health guide

Why "limited ingredient diet" has become almost meaningless

"Limited ingredient" has no legal definition, no agreed standard, and isn't always what's on the bag.

9 min read

The prove-it test: re-challenging safely

The prove-it test: re-challenging safely

The optional last step of a food trial: reintroduce the old food, watch what happens, and know for certain. How to do it safely.

4 min read

How to Read a Dog Food Label

How to Read a Dog Food Label

Ingredients are listed by weight, and everything else is marketing. The five-minute skill that changes how you buy dog food.

6 min read

No change yet? What it means

No change yet? What it means

Week six is the honest checkpoint of a food trial. What no improvement really tells you, and why finishing the eight weeks still matters.

4 min read

Getting the “after” shot right

Getting the “after” shot right

How to film an after shot that actually matches your day-one footage, plus the happy shot that makes the whole eight weeks worth it.

4 min read

What week 5 tells you

What week 5 tells you

Week five is the biggest milestone in a food trial - more than 8 in 10 food-allergic dogs are dramatically better by now. What to do either way.

4 min read

Week 3 and nothing's happened. Now what?

Week 3 and nothing's happened. Now what?

Half of food-allergic dogs haven't improved by week three. What the studies say about the quiet middle of a food trial, and what to check.

4 min read

The sneaky seven: things that quietly break a food trial

The sneaky seven: things that quietly break a food trial

A food trial only works if nothing else passes your dog's lips.

4 min read

Why tummies improve before skin

Why tummies improve before skin

Gut problems can respond to a food change in about two weeks. Skin takes far longer. The timeline the studies actually show.

4 min read

Changing Dog Food: A Clear 7-Day Switch Plan

Changing Dog Food: A Clear 7-Day Switch Plan

A clear 7-day dog food transition chart, how to calculate mixed portions, when to slow down and which signs mean it is time to call your vet.

11 min read

Soft poos after a food change: normal or not?

Soft poos after a food change: normal or not?

A couple of soft poos after switching food is usually the gut adjusting. What's normal, what needs the vet, and the myth to ignore.

4 min read

Film your dog like a pro (on your phone)

Film your dog like a pro (on your phone)

The baseline shots to film before you switch your dog's food, and how to take week-by-week clips you can actually compare.

4 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Strawberries? Yes, Hulled and in Moderation

Yes. Fresh strawberries are safe for dogs: vitamin C, fibre, and even a natural enzyme with mild teeth-whitening properties.

5 min read

Health guide

Can Dogs Eat Rice? Yes, and Plain Rice Is the Classic Upset-Tummy Food

Plain boiled rice is safe, gentle and easily digested, which is why vets suggest chicken and rice for upset stomachs. White versus brown, and portions.

5 min read

A golden retriever resting below an unlabelled fish-oil bottle

Omega-3 for Dogs with Allergies: Does Fish Oil Help?

Omega-3 will not cure an allergy but it does calm skin inflammation. Which oil to choose, how to dose it by weight, and how long results take to show.

14 min read

Dog supplement ingredients in a flat-lay

Supplements for Dogs with Allergies: What Actually Works

Which supplements have real evidence behind them for allergic dogs, which are promising, and which are overhyped. How to add them without masking a cause.

16 min read

Illustration reading ‘Insect protein, honestly. Novel is the whole point.’

Insect Protein Dog Food: The Evidence on Black Soldier Fly

Is insect protein good for dogs? See black soldier fly evidence on safety, digestibility, allergies and nutrition, plus what studies cannot prove.

9 min read

A brindle greyhound waiting beside a simple bowl of dog food

Kangaroo Dog Food: The Novel Protein Guide

Kangaroo is a genuine novel protein, which makes it useful in elimination trials and for dogs reacting to common meats. What to check on the label.

15 min read

A dog beside its food bowl with cooked salmon in the background

Salmon Dog Food: An Allergy-Friendly Fish Protein Guide

Salmon is a useful protein for dogs reacting to chicken or beef, but it is not automatically hypoallergenic. When it helps and when it will not.

15 min read

A chocolate cocker spaniel waiting beside its food bowl

Duck Dog Food: A Good Novel Protein Choice?

Duck gets sold as hypoallergenic, but it is still poultry, so dogs reacting to chicken may react to it too. How to test whether it is safe for yours.

15 min read

A Border Collie resting beside a food bowl in a country kitchen

Venison Dog Food: A Complete Guide to This Novel Protein

Venison is genuinely novel for most dogs, which makes it useful in elimination trials. What to check on the label, and how to switch over safely.

16 min read

Novel protein sources for dogs laid out on linen

Novel Protein Dog Food: The Real Science Explained

What actually makes a protein novel, why it only works if your dog has never eaten it, and how venison, duck, kangaroo and insect really compare.

25 min read

A labrador waiting patiently beside a bowl of food

How Much Protein Does Your Dog Actually Need?

Adult dogs need at least 18% protein on a dry matter basis, puppies 22 to 25%. How to convert what the label says, and when more is not better.

12 min read

A dog and tuna

Can Dogs Eat Tuna? Occasionally and in Small Amounts

Tinned tuna in spring water is fine occasionally, but tuna carries mercury. Safe portions by dog size, and why brine and oil versions are out.

5 min read

Cute dog holding a cucumber

Can Dogs Eat Cucumber? Yes, the Ultimate Diet Treat

Yes. Cucumber is about 96 percent water and nearly calorie-free, which makes it the single best treat for.

5 min read

A dog with garlic

Can Dogs Eat Garlic? No, and 'a Little Is Good for Them' Is a Myth

Garlic is in the same allium family as onion and damages red blood cells the same way, only more concentrated. The signs of poisoning to watch for.

5 min read

A dog with sunglasses and a popcorn

Can Dogs Eat Popcorn? Plain and Air-Popped, a Few Pieces Are Fine

A few pieces of plain, air-popped popcorn are fine for dogs. Salted, buttered and toffee versions are not, and unpopped kernels crack teeth.

5 min read

A dog and honey

Can Dogs Eat Honey? A Little Is Fine for Healthy Adult Dogs

A little honey is safe for most healthy adult dogs, being essentially sugar with trace extras. Why puppies and diabetic dogs should skip it.

5 min read

A dog and kiwi

Can Dogs Eat Kiwi? Yes, a Little Peeled Kiwi Is Fine

Peeled kiwi flesh is safe for dogs and adds vitamin C and fibre. How much is sensible by dog size, and why the fuzzy skin has to come off first.

5 min read

A dog and tomatoes

Can Dogs Eat Tomatoes? Ripe Red Ones Yes, Green Parts No

Ripe red tomato flesh is safe for dogs in modest amounts. The green parts of the plant (stems, leaves, unripe.

5 min read

A dog biting a bread

Can Dogs Eat Bread? Plain Is Fine, Dough Is an Emergency

Plain baked bread is harmless but pointless for dogs. Raw yeast dough is the real danger because it expands and ferments alcohol in the stomach.

5 min read

A dog looking at the onion

Can Dogs Eat Onions? No, Cooked or Raw

Onions and the whole allium family damage dogs' red blood cells and can cause anaemia. Cooking does not help. The signs of poisoning to watch for.

5 min read

A dog eats broccoli

Can Dogs Eat Broccoli? Yes, in Sensible Portions

Broccoli is safe for dogs raw or plain-steamed and makes a decent low-calorie snack. Why portions need to stay small, and which part causes gas.

5 min read

A dog wants to eat eggs

Can Dogs Eat Eggs? Yes, Cooked Eggs Are an Excellent Food

Cooked egg is a genuinely good protein for dogs. Why raw egg is a risk, how many a week is sensible by size, and what to do about the shells.

5 min read

A dog with blueberries

Can Dogs Eat Blueberries? Yes, Perfect Training-Treat Size

Blueberries are safe for dogs, low in calories and small enough to use as training treats. How many to give by dog size, and the one form to avoid.

5 min read

A dog with an ice cream

Can Dogs Eat Ice Cream? Better Not, and Never Anything Sugar-Free

Ice cream is not toxic but stacks lactose, fat and sugar in one bowl. The absolute red line is xylitol in sugar-free versions, which is deadly.

5 min read

Dog next to bowl of salmon

Can Dogs Eat Fish? Yes, Cooked and Boned It's Excellent

Cooked, boneless fish is a good protein for dogs. Which species are safest, which carry mercury, and why raw fish and bones are off the table.

6 min read

Dog eats almonds

Can Dogs Eat Almonds? Best Not, Even Though They're Not Poisonous

Almonds are best avoided for dogs. They are not poisonous, but their size and hard texture can create risks. See what to do if your dog eats one.

5 min read

French bulldog with carrots in its mouth

Can Dogs Eat Carrots? Yes, One of the Best Cheap Treats Going

Carrots are low-calorie, satisfying to chew and cheap, and raw or cooked both work. Sensible portions by dog size, and the choking risk to avoid.

5 min read

A dog and apples

Can Dogs Eat Apples? Yes. Just Core Them First

Yes. Apple slices are a crunchy, low-fat treat most dogs enjoy, with fibre and vitamin C thrown in.

5 min read

A beagle looking up at cubes of cheese

Can Dogs Eat Cheese? Usually, in Small Amounts. Here's the Catch

Most dogs handle a little hard cheese and it makes a great training reward, but plenty are lactose intolerant. Which cheeses to avoid altogether.

5 min read

A dog with bananas

Can Dogs Eat Bananas? Yes, as a Small Sweet Treat

Banana is safe for dogs and most of them love it, but it is sugary, so a few slices is plenty. Why the peel is a blockage risk rather than a toxin.

5 min read

Can Dogs Eat Watermelon? Yes. Deseed It and Lose the Rind

Can Dogs Eat Watermelon? Yes. Deseed It and Lose the Rind

Watermelon is hydrating and safe for dogs in modest amounts. The rind and the seeds are the problem, not the flesh, so here is how to serve it.

5 min read

Can Dogs Eat Chocolate? No. Here's What the Dose Really Means

Can Dogs Eat Chocolate? No. Here's What the Dose Really Means

Chocolate contains theobromine, which dogs clear far more slowly than we do. How dangerous each type is by weight, and what to do if they get some.

5 min read

Dog and ham

Can Dogs Eat Ham? A Scrap Won't Hurt, But It's a Poor Habit

Plain ham will not poison a dog, but it is salty, fatty and processed. Why it is one of the worst meats to share, and what to hand over instead.

5 min read

Dog in the field

Can Dogs Eat Grains? Mostly Yes, and Grain-Free Isn't Automatically Better

Grain is a far rarer allergen in dogs than the marketing suggests. Which grains suit dogs, which to cook first, and when grain-free actually helps.

6 min read

the food behind the project

One novel protein.
None of the usual suspects.

Some Grub is a cold-pressed, hypoallergenic dog food built around insect protein - a protein most dogs have never met, which is the whole point of a food trial.

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