What to and What not to Feed Stray / Shelter Dogs

With many of us millennials opting to adopt stray dogs these days, a lot of us end up giving in to some misconceptions about the parenting of stray dogs. Over time, there are some pre-set notions such as stray dogs have stronger immunity and they can eat and digest anything and everything. This is a completely false myth.  

It's true that a stray dog may have more tolerance than a pet, but that doesn't mean that they can be overfed or fed with the wrong foods. 

Here are some foods that are a big No-No for any dog, whether stray or not: 

• Sugar 
• Salt 
• Onions 

• Garlic 
• Chocolates 
• Avocado 
• Alcohol (you don't want to get your dog boozing around! )  
• Dry fruits and nuts 

• Coffee / tea 
• Lemon or lime  
• Seeds of fruit 

More often than usual, you'll see people feeding Parle-G biscuits to dogs on the streets. They're actually doing more harm than good. Biscuits not only contain sugar but they're harmful for the dog's health and digestive system.  

Usually, a simple meal goes a long way! Feeding stray dogs home cooked chapati with diluted milk, or boiled chicken, veggies or eggs is the perfect way to keep them happy and healthy. Avoid feeding them with dog food initially as their bodies aren't accustomed to it, but gradually you can introduce new things to their diet.  

Occasionally treating them with fruits is also a great way to cool them off in the summer.  

So, to sum it up, here are some foods that are a big Yes-Yes for the stray doggos or shelter doggos: 

• Homemade wheat chapati  
• Boiled veggies 
• Boiled chicken  

• Boiled eggs or eggs mixed with veggies 
• Seasonal fruits (occasionally)  
• Milk 
• Curd  

Try feeding them simple, home cooked meals. It's the perfect way to give them the required nourishment.  

These are some of the simple tips to follow and wave off the misconceptions that we've been fed over the years. Every dog is different but they have a tolerance level. Treating them with love, care and affection is the key to their happiness. Dogs, especially stray dogs, crave attention and care. So make sure to make a doggo in your local area happy by showing them love and feeding them healthy.  

Please note, these are some simple tricks suggested to monitor your household pets' health. These tips should, under no circumstances, be taken or followed as medical advise. In case your pet is facing any concerning issues, we always recommend that you get in touch with your vet for proper medical guidance. Happy Pawrenting!