Baby foods can be fed directly to dogs, or mixed with other ingredients to make dog treats. Don't give dogs baby food that contains onions, because onions can be harmful to dogs. Baby food is not a good substitute for dog food, since it does not include all the nutrients and vitamins dogs need. Feed baby food sparingly as an occasional treat.
Meat Baby Foods
This type of baby food is made from ground up meat mixed with water. It comes in a variety of flavors, including beef, chicken and turkey. It is packaged in small glass jars. You can give it to your dog on a spoon, or by scooping it out with your finger and offering it to your dog to lick. It can also be mixed with other ingredients and baked in an oven into hard dog cookies.
Fruit and Vegetable Baby Foods
Some dogs like vegetables, so you can feed them baby food derived from these ingredients as long as it doesn't contain onions. Carrots, beans, bananas, squash, and watermelon baby food can be fed to dogs. You can also feed the solid second-stage baby foods, such as peeled baby carrots. Just fish them out of the jar and give them to the dog like any treat.
Baby Food and Sick Dogs
Most dogs find baby food delicious, so it can be used to convince a sick dog that refuses dog food to start eating. Dip your finger into the jar, and smear a little on the dog's nose. Be careful not to block the nostrils. The dog will lick the food off its nose, and you can add more on the nose, or offer the dog baby food on your finger.
Using Baby Food to Change Foods
Some dogs will refuse a new dry dog food because they don't like the taste. You can add baby food to the dry kibble to make it more attractive. This works best with meat paste baby food. Add the kibble to the dog's bowl, then spoon the baby food over the top. Mix it vigorously so that the kibble is fully coated. This prevents the dog from licking up the baby food and leaving the kibble behind.
References
- No Cans: Dog Food Treat Recipes Made with Baby Food
- PAWS: Dog Tip: Feeding, Dieting and Nutrition Tips: Robin Tierney
- "Dogs All-in-One For Dummies"; Consumer Dummies; 2010