Is Dog Food or Cooked Meals Better for Chinese Rural Dogs? Understanding the Differences

It's generally better for Chinese Rural Dogs (also known as 'Tu Gou') to eat commercially prepared dog food. High-quality dog food is formulated to provide a balanced blend of nutrients crucial for their healthy growth and development. In contrast, the meals we typically eat contain excessive salt and seasonings, which can potentially harm a dog's kidneys.

Although Chinese Rural Dogs are known for being relatively easy to care for, their diet still requires careful consideration. They have a natural preference for meat, so it's beneficial to incorporate some meat into their diet. However, there are significant differences between feeding a dog commercial dog food versus home-cooked meals. Dog food is developed and tested through extensive research to ensure it provides the optimal nutritional balance that dogs require. Consistently feeding a Chinese Rural Dog home-cooked meals can lead to deficiencies in essential minerals and vitamins. Moreover, regularly eating soft rice can contribute to dental issues such as tartar buildup, especially in older dogs who don't receive regular teeth brushing.

Benefits of Feeding Chinese Rural Dogs Dog Food

1. Nutritional Balance

The nutritional content of dog food isn't solely about protein and fat percentages. It's about the carefully calibrated balance of minerals, vitamins, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and trace elements. Regardless of the dog food brand, high-quality options aim to provide all the daily nutrients a dog needs. Premium dog foods often include beneficial additions such as unsaturated fatty acids and enzymes, which can support healthy coat and digestion. Achieving a comprehensive nutritional profile through home-cooked meals is challenging. As a result, dogs fed primarily with dog food typically develop stronger bones, better coat quality, and maintain a more ideal weight compared to dogs eating home-cooked meals.

2. Dental Health

There's a noticeable difference in the dental health of dogs fed dog food versus home-cooked meals over time. If puppies are consistently fed nutritionally imbalanced meals, their tooth development can be affected, leading to slow deciduous (baby) teeth growth. At around 4-5 months, the development of their permanent teeth may be impaired, their hardness may suffer, and the gums may become discolored and prone to breakage. By three months, dogs can typically start eating dry kibble. The kibble's firm texture aids in cleaning teeth and providing oral exercise. Conversely, dogs that eat home-cooked meals are more prone to tartar buildup and tooth loss in their senior years compared to dogs who primarily eat kibble.