This dog blog will answer the major question, “What did dogs eat before dog foods?” we will also talk about the most common food given to dogs, the benefits and risks of raw meat, and the evolutionary history of dog food.
What did dogs eat before dog foods?
Dogs eat raw meat and table scraps before dog foods. Raw meat was the only staple for the wild dogs and there was no commercial dog food available by that time. Table scrap was the food of the domestic dogs. Table scraps like leftover bread were dangerous due to bloat formation.
What are the most common foods given to dogs?
Following are the most common foods given to dogs before the dog food:
Lard
In ancient times, there was no commercial cooking oil available in the market which could be used for cooking. The people at that time uses lard which is pig fat for cooking purposes. The same lard was given to dogs to eat.
Lard is high in fat which can cause stomach upset and pancreatitis in dogs. Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas in the body. Obesity is the leading cause of chronic problems which is also due to the consumption of high amounts of lard.
Consuming high amounts of lard can also cause heart diseases because the extra fat content can block the major arteries supplying the heart.
Potatoes and cabbage
The people also gave potatoes and cabbage to their dogs to eat. Boiled potatoes are healthy for your dog but in moderation. Too much-boiled potatoes can lead to stomach upset and choking. Consuming bigger chunks of boiled potatoes can also cause intestinal obstruction in your dog.
Cabbage is also given in the form of table leftovers. Most of the time the dogs get boiled cabbage as it was used more often as a source of food. Boiled cabbage doesn’t have a high amount of nutrients. The only nutrient which is beneficial for your dog is fiber.
Bread
Leftover bread was also commonly given to dogs to eat. The bread is not a good source of food for your dog. Bread has whole grains. Dogs are sensitive to gluten in whole grains. Gluten is not properly digested in the gastrointestinal tract of your dog.
Following are the major signs of gluten indigestion in your dog:
- Bloat formation
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Lethargy
- Weakness
Hardtack
In the previous years, hardtack was used by the sailors. Hardtack is a type of hard biscuit which were consumed by the sailors. When the sailors arrive, they will give hardtack biscuits to the dogs roaming near them.
Hardtack biscuits were difficult to digest and even chew. Hardtack biscuits can cause stomach upset and intestinal obstruction in your dog.
What are the benefits and drawbacks of consuming raw meat for dogs?
Following are the benefits and drawbacks of consuming raw meat for your dog:
Benefits
Following are the benefits of consuming raw meat for dogs:
- Raw meat is healthy for your dog because it is a good source of protein.
- Raw meat also strengthens the teeth and the jaws because of the chewing process.
- Raw meat bones are healthy for your dog because dogs have a basic instinct of chewing. Chewing fulfills the physical and psychological needs of your dog.
- Raw meat has an adequate amount of fat content which adds to the weight gain in the body.
Health hazards
Following are the health hazards of consuming raw meat for your dog:
- Raw meat has several bacteria such as salmonella and e.coli which can cause gastrointestinal upset in your dog. They can cause enteritis and blood in the feces.
- Raw meat is not easy to digest so it can cause choking hazards in small breed dogs.
- Raw meat bones have high-fat content which can cause obesity, pancreatitis, and heart diseases in your dog.
- Raw meat can cause stomach upset because it is very difficult to digest.
What is the evolutionary history of dog food?
James Spratt was the inventor of the first dog food in history. James Spratt was an electrician who went from Ohio to the United Kingdom to sell his products. There on the shore, he saw dogs eating hardtack biscuits that were given to dogs by the sailors of that area.
An idea hit his mind and he went off to invent the first ever dog food in history. He used meat and whole grain in the preparation of dog biscuits. It was very expensive in the beginning but he managed to sell it to the rich class of society.
Conclusion
In this dog article, we answered the major question, “What did dogs eat before dog foods?” we also discussed the most common food given to dogs, the benefits and risks of raw meat, and the evolutionary history of dog food.
References
https://canine.care/nutrition/evolution-of-dog-food
