The Ultimate Guide to What Samoyeds Can (And Can’t) Eat

A raw food diet for dogs is designed to mimic their natural diet in the wild. For a Samoyed, a diet that includes meat, bones, offal, and some plant-based ingredients is essential. Each adds essential vitamins and minerals, making meals highly beneficial.

Each Samoyed has unique dietary needs, so there’s no one-size-fits-all diet for them. For instance, a dog with a sensitive stomach may need a different diet compared to one that’s healthy. Continue reading to learn about what a Samoyed can and can’t eat.

Do Samoyeds Have Sensitive Stomachs?

The existence of Samoyeds having a sensitive stomach date long-back within history- unfortunately, this problem continues to remain present- even now. Meaning, some Samoyeds need an adjusted diet that suits their digestive system- avoiding certain foods and sticking to a schedule.

Causes of a sensitive stomach within a Samoyed can vary. Your pooch may have inherited this problem, he could be more receptive to certain ingredients, or there might be an underlying health problem causing such issues.

If you suspect your Samoyed has a digestive problem, speak with a trusted veterinarian as recommended to diagnose your dog- and together, you’ll be able to figure out the cause.

Here are the three most common symptoms to look out for, which will indicate if your dog has a type of digestive issue:

1. Loose stools/diarrhea, or vomiting (blood included)
2. Lack of or a complete inability to eat
3. Excessive licking of lips and swallowing

A sensitive stomach doesn’t need to be a burden for either yourself or your pooch.

Samoyed Diet Requirements

Many people want to know what the best diet to feed a Samoyed is. However, the best Samoyed diet depends according to your Samoyeds digestive system, age, gender, preferences, and breeders/veterinarians’ recommendations.

If your Samoyed has perfect health, for example- with guts of steel, then the best diet may include lots of protein, grains, raw meat, and a handful of treats from time to time!

For a Samoyed with a sensitive stomach, their ideal or “best” diet can look very different- requiring foods with NO wheat, grains, or corn. They may need to be limited to dry or wet foods and have to avoid certain meats like chicken or turkey, for example.

The best/ideal diet for a younger-aged Samoyed (puppy or adolescent) will look different once again- requiring both dry and wet dog food containing complete nutritional-balance of grains, meat, corn, etc.

Overall, the best diet for your Samoyed is a diet that has been precisely adjusted to their requirements (as mentioned above). There is no “one-size fits all” when it comes to a Samoyed’s diet, meaning you have the freedom to adjust their food to their needs and what they enjoy!

Safe Fruits for Your Samoyeds

Fruit can be a tasty treat for your Samoyed in moderation. When choosing fruits, opt for those that are dog-safe and provide nutritional value.

Apples

Apples are a crisp, sweet source of vitamin C, vitamin A, and fiber. Apples, rich in antioxidants and flavonoids, may lower the risk of diseases like cancer, heart problems, and diabetes. Just be sure to remove the core and seeds first, as they contain trace amounts of the toxin cyanide.

• Benefits: High in vitamin C and A. Good source of fiber. Contains antioxidants that support immunity and reduce disease risk.
• Serving Size: Slice or small chunks equal to about 5% of your dog’s daily calories. Small breeds should be limited to about 1/8th of a small apple. Large breeds can handle up to 1/2 an apple a day.
• Prep: Core and seed removal required. Slice apple flesh into thin bite-size pieces. Can feed fresh raw or roasted apple slices.

Bananas

Bananas are loaded with potassium and vitamin B6. Since bananas are higher in naturasugar, they should be fed in moderation to avoid weight gain. Potassium in bananas helps reduce salt effects in dog food, lowering the risk of high blood pressure and kidney disease.

• Benefits: Excellent source of potassium which regulates fluids and promotes proper muscle and nerve signaling. Contains vitamin B6, vitamin C, fiber, copper, and manganese. Anti-inflammatory benefits.
• Serving Size: 1-2 smalchunks equato 5% of daily calories. Smaldogs should be limited to about 2 chunks or thin slices. Large dogs can have half a smalbanana.
• Prep: Peebanana. Slice into thin coins or smalchunks. Mash welfor puppies.

Blueberries

Blueberries, smaland low in calories, are rich in nutrients like antioxidants, fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, and phytochemicals that fight inflammation. Blueberries boost brain health and improve urinary tract function. Frozen wild blueberries or fresh cultivated berries make a sweet healthy treat!

• Benefits: High in antioxidants to boost immunity and slow aging/cancer risk. Supports brain, heart, and urinary tract health. Contains manganese that assists bone/tissue growth.
• Serving Size: About 5-20 berries depending on dog size, or 5% of daily calories.
• Prep: Rinse fresh berries. Thaw frozen berries. Can serve whole or slightly mashed so skins aren’t a choking hazard.

Raspberries

Raspberries, sweet and juicy, are rich in vitamin C, manganese, fiber, and antioxidants. Raspberries contain ellagic acid, which offers anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-cancer benefits. Be cautious, as the tiny seeds in raspberries could be a choking hazard.

• Benefits: Excellent source of vitamin C, manganese, and antioxidants like ellagic acid, quercetin, and gallic acid. Supports immunity and gut health.
• Serving Size: About 5-10 whole raspberries for a smaldog, 10-15 for a large breed.
• Prep: Rinse thoroughly. Lightly mash/chop for smaldogs.

Strawberries

Strawberries are fulof vitamin C, folate, and fiber, offering a refreshing treat with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. They contain traces of xylitothough, so limit size and frequency.

• Benefits: High in vitamin C, manganese, folate, and antioxidants. Supports skin, coat, immune system, and artery health.
• Serving Size: 2-5 smalhulled strawberries depending on dog size.
• Prep: Rinse well, remove green tops. Slice or quarter into smalbites.

Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe is packed with vitamins A and C to support eye and skin health. It also provides potassium and beta-carotene. But beware the rind and seeds can cause intestinaupset.

• Benefits: Rich in vitamins A and C. Good source of potassium, folate, and beta-carotene. Promotes hydration.
• Serving Size: 1-3 smalcubed chunks for smaldogs, larger portions for big dogs equato a few tablespoons.
• Prep: Scoop out flesh away from rind and seeds. Chop melon into bite-size pieces.

Watermelon

Watermelon, containing about 90% water, hydrates dogs and is rich in vitamins A, C, B-6, potassium, and lycopene. This juicy treat may help reduce the risk of kidney stones.

• Benefits: Helps with hydration. Rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. A naturadiuretic that may prevent urinary crystals.
• Serving Size: A few smalseedless cubes of the red flesh, not the rind.
• Prep: Remove rind. Chop or cube the red inner fruit into smalbites.

Pineapple

Pineapple contains vitamin C, thiamin, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and fiber. The bromelain enzyme may help with joint health, immunity, digestion, and reducing inflammation. But beware of the high sugar content.

• Benefits: Rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and digestive enzymes like bromelain. Supports bone, joint, respiratory, and digestive health.
• Serving Size: A few smalchunks or slices of fresh pineapple for smaldogs; a larger portion for big dogs.
• Prep: Peeskin, core, and spikes. Dice flesh into bite-sized cubes.

Mango

Mangos provide over 20 different vitamins and minerals, making them an excellent occasionatreat for dogs. But be carefuof the large pit inside. The rich sweet orange flesh should be fed in strict moderation only due to sugar content.

• Benefits: Contains over 20 different vitamins and minerals including vitamins C, A, B-6, E, and K. High antioxidant levels. Supports eye, skin, bone, and brain health.
• Serving Size: A few diced cubes equato a tablespoon or two for smaldogs; a few more cubes for large breeds.
• Prep: Slice off flesh avoiding the pit. Dice into tiny cubes.

Coconut

Fresh or dried unsweetened coconut provides fiber, protein, vitamins C, E, B1, B3, B5, and B6, as welas iron, selenium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorous. It supports digestion, immunity, and metabolism in dogs. But stick to meat, not whole coconuts, to avoid choking.

• Benefits: High in fiber, protein, and key vitamins and minerals. Contains lauric acid that fights bacteria and viruses. Improves digestion.
• Serving Size: Tiny chunks or shredded flakes equato a tablespoon or two per day.
• Prep: Fresh meat scooped from the inner shelis best. Dried unsweetened flakes are fine too. No added sugar.

Safe Vegetables for Your Samoyeds

In addition to fruits, there are many nutritious vegetables you can feed your Samoyed.

Carrots

A longtime favorite of dogs everywhere, carrots offer beta-carotene, fiber, vitamin K, potassium, and antioxidants. Feeding carrot sticks can even promote healthy teeth through chewing motion.

• Benefits: Excellent source of vitamin A. Promotes eye and skin health. Contains fiber and antioxidants.
• Serving Size: About 1-2 baby carrots or carrot sticks per day.
• Prep: Scrub clean. Can slice, chop, grate, or serve whole.

Green Beans

Picked fresh or canned, low-sodium green beans provide vitamins A, C, and K. Being low in calories, green beans are a great alternative to fatty dog treats. Just avoid added salt or butter!

• Benefits: Rich in vitamins A, C, and K, fiber, and manganese. Low calorie.
• Serving Size: About 5-10 beans or 1⁄4 cup
• Prep: Rinse fresh beans. Look for low-sodium canned beans. Chop beans before serving.

Broccoli

Broccoli, packed with healthy vitamins and minerals, also provides a satisfying crunch that dogs love. Feeding some crunchy broccoli florets promotes healthy chewing.

• Benefits: High in vitamins C and K. Contains antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin.
• Serving Size: 2-3 broccoli florets
• Prep: Rinse, peestalk, chop into smalflorets

Sweet Potatoes

“Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, vitamin B6, beta carotene, minerals, and antioxidants. Cook sweet potatoes before feeding to break down the complex carbs into sugars that are easier to digest.

• Benefits: High in vitamins A, C, B6, potassium, antioxidants, and fiber. Supports muscle, skin/coat, immune system, digestive health, and vision. Anti-inflammatory benefits too.
• Serving Size: Cooked/mashed cubes for 3-5% daily calories. About 1-3 tbsp for smaldogs, 1/4 cup for large breeds.
• Prep: Bake or boil. Coobefore feeding. Add mashed cubes, never raw.

Zucchini

Zucchini, low in calories and high in fiber, B vitamins, vitamin C, and calcium, helps hydrate dogs and aids digestion, and its mild diuretic effects help prevent urinary stones. Just avoid raw to prevent stomach upset.

• Benefits: Contains vitamins A, C, and B6 plus calcium, phosphorus, and fiber. Mild diuretic benefits urinary health. Aids digestion.
• Serving Size: About 1-2 tbsp chopped or grated cooked zucchini for smaldogs, 1/4 cup for big breeds.
• Prep: Grate or finely dice. Lightly cook before feeding.

Cucumbers

Made up of 95% water content, cucumbers help keep your dog hydrated. They also provide vitamin K, potassium, magnesium, and dietary fiber. However, cucumbers have a mild laxative effect, so it’s important to controthe portion size.

• Benefits: Excellent source of hydration and lean nutrients. Promotes regularity and digestion health. Helps flush toxins.
• Serving Size: A few thin slices or cubes covering 1-2 tbsp for smaldogs. Slightly more for big breeds.
• Prep: Thinly slice. Remove skin/seeds first for easier digestion. Feed raw or cooked.

Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts, smalbut nutrient-dense, offer plenty of vitamins C and K, manganese, fiber, folate, potassium, and antioxidants. Their high fiber content aids digestion but may cause gas. Feed cooked sprouts in strict moderation.

• Benefits: Highly nutritious cruciferous veggie. Rich in vitamins, antioxidants, omega-3s. Supports bone, brain, immunity, and metabolism. Promotes digestion.
• Serving Size: 2-5 cooked, finely chopped sprouts for smalbreeds, 10-20 for large dogs.
• Prep: Cut off stem ends, remove damaged leaves, and chop into tiny pieces before lightly cooking.

Spinach

Spinach offers a powerhouse bundle of vitamins A, C, E, and K for dogs. It also provides iron, manganese, folate, and antioxidants. Due to oxalates, only feed cooked spinach no more than 1-2 times per week.

• Benefits: Abundant in vitamins A, C, K plus iron, copper, folate and thiamine. Bolster’s immune system function and brain health.
• Serving Size: For smaldogs: 1-2 cooked spinach leaves chopped. Medium to large dogs may handle up to 1⁄4 cup of cooked spinach 1-2 days a week.
• Prep: Always cook spinach thoroughly before feeding to remove oxalates. Chop leaves into tiny bits. Mix in with main meals.

Always Avoid Giving a Samoyed These Foods

Certain foods can cause severe stomach upset, organ damage, or even be life-threatening if ingested by dogs.

Never feed your Samoyed grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, chocolate, caffeine products, alcohol, raw dough, moldy foods, or sugar-free gum and candy containing xylitol.

Smalamounts of these toxic foods can quickly lead to kidney failure, tremors, coma, or even death in dogs.”

Grapes & Raisins

While the toxicity is not yet fully understood, grapes and raisins, even just a handful, have proven extremely poisonous to dogs. Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, loss of coordination, kidney failure, and death have occurred.

Onions & Garlic

Onions, garlic, leeks, chives, and shallots have compounds that damage dogs’ red blood cells and can cause anemia if eaten in large amounts. Small, occasionaamounts may upset a dog’s stomach, but larger quantities are toxic.

Chocolate

Altypes of chocolate, including dark, milk, and baking, contain theobromine and caffeine, stimulants in cacao that are toxic to dogs. Darker chocolate is more dangerous and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, heart arrhythmias, and even death if a dog ingests enough.

Caffeine

Caffeinated drinks like coffee, tea, colas, and energy drinks can cause rapid heart rate, restlessness, vomiting, and seizures in dogs.

Xylitol

Xylitol, an artificiasweetener in many candies, gums, and toothpaste, can dangerously spike a dog’s insulin levels, leading to liver failure and death. Keep gum and breath mints containing xylitoaway from your dog. Treat even smalexposures as an emergency.

Foods to Avoid (Not Dangerous, But Not Great for Samoyeds)

Although not instantly harmful, many human foods offer low nutrition and can lead to stomach upset, weight gain, or other problems if given often to your Samoyed.

Fatty Meats

Foods high in fat, such as bacon, sausage, ribs, and fried chicken, are bad choices for your dog. Fatty meats can cause stomach upset, pancreatitis, and obesity in dogs over time. Lean meats like chicken, turkey, and low-sodium deli meats make healthier treats.

Dairy

Smalamounts of plain yogurt or cheese might be fine sometimes, but milk and other dairy products can cause diarrhea, gas, and allergies in dogs. The lactose in dairy products is difficult for dogs to digest.

Salty Foods

Processed foods such as chips, pretzels, buttery popcorn, fried foods, and takeout usually have too much salt, which is harmfuto dogs. Eating these salty foods in large quantities can cause dehydration and sodium ion poisoning in dogs.

Spicy Foods

Chili powder, cayenne, and similar spices can irritate your dog’s stomach and cause discomfort. It’s best to keep spicy foods like chicken wings away from your dog.

Sugary Foods

Foods high in sugar, such as cookies, cakes, sweet cereal, and ice cream, provide little nutrition and empty calories, leading to rapid weight gain in pets. Sugar can also cause cavities in dogs’ teeth. Avoid sharing sugary foods with your dog.

Safe Human Foods for Samoyeds

Fortunately, many common human foods are safe and nutritious for your dog’s diet.

Lean Meat & Fish

Protein-rich treats like unseasoned boiled, baked, or grilled chicken, turkey, beef, pork, lamb, and fish are favorites among dogs. Be carefuwith fatty portions of meat. They are best served shredded or in smalbites. Salmon oiis fulof healthy omega-3s!

• Benefits: Excellent source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Promotes muscles, joints, and coat health.
• Serving Size: About 1 oz of cooked meat, or 5% of daily calories
• Prep: Cook thoroughly with no added salt, spices, oils, etc. Shred, dice, or chop into smalpieces.

Whole Grains

Cooked oatmeal, brown rice, barley, and quinoa are good sources of gentle fiber to add to your dog’s kibble. These grains are great for digestive health. Remember to avoid feeding your dog raw dough.

• Benefits: High fiber maintains healthy digestion. Whole grains provide B vitamins, magnesium, chromium, and more.
• Serving Size: 1-2 tbsp cooked grains mixed with main meals
• Prep: Cook fully before serving

Plain Yogurt

A spoonfuof unsweetened or Greek yogurt offers probiotics for gut health, improving digestion and nutrient absorption. Provides protein, calcium, and vitamin B12 too.

• Benefits: Probiotics promote healthy digestion and immunity. Contains protein, calcium, vitamins B2 & B12.
• Serving Size: 1-2 tbsp yogurt
• Prep: Ensure yogurt has live & active cultures and no added sweeteners.

Wet or Dry Dog Foods for Samoyeds

Many Samoyed owners wonder whether to choose wet or dry kibble when selecting the right commerciadog food. Both wet and dry kibble categories offer good options suitable for your pup.

Dry Kibble Benefits

• Typically cheaper per serving
• Easy to portion out servings
• Helps promote dentahealth through chewing action
• Can be left out for dogs to free-feed throughout the day
• Provides complete balanced nutrition in one product

Wet Food Benefits

• Increased moisture content helps dogs stay hydrated
• Very palatable – great for picky eaters!
• Allows owners to mix in supplements, meds, etc
• Some forms provide a soft texture easier for elderly dogs
• Canned air-tight food lasts longer once opened

5 Foods to Give a Samoyeds With a Sensitive Stomach

1. Purina ONE SmartBlend Sensitive Systems Dry Dog Food:

Formulated specifically for Adult dogs with sensitive stomachs, the Purina ONE Sensitive Systems dog food can serve as a deal-breaker in keeping your pooch’s food down without any hassles.

2. Purina Pro Plan Salmon and Rice Dry or Wet Dog Food:

Another fantastic alternative for a sensitive stomach, the Purina pro plan sensitive skin & stomach dry or wet dog food contains NO corn, wheat, or soy! Note: This is formulated for an Adult dog.

3. Hill’s Science Salmon & Vegetable Wet Dog Food:

A grain-free, wet dog food solution for your pooch with sensitive skin and stomach. Hill’s science also provides alternative flavors, accomodating to dogs who can’t eat salmon but prefer chicken or turkey instead.

4. CANIDAE All Life Stages Lamb Meal and Rice Formula Dry Dog Food:

Perfect for dogs needing to avoid corn, wheat, and soy- CANIDAE all life stages dry dog formula works sufficiently for dogs of all ages! Meaning, you can keep your pooch on this brand of food forever, without the hassle of needing to change his formula depending on each life-stage.

5. Nature’s Recipe Grain Free Dry Dog Food:

The Salmon flavored, nature’s recipe grain free dry dog food is Ideal for dogs of all-ages and looking for a flavor apart from chicken or lamb. Salmon provides a mild form of protein, serving wonders for dogs with sensitive stomachs also!

Can Samoyeds Chew on Bones?

Delicious bones capture your dog’s instinct to chew and gnaw. However, there are safety concerns with bones for Samoyeds, particularly regarding choking hazards and digestive obstructions.

Raw Bones

Uncooked meaty bones often splinter when chewed and can easily:

• Cause mouth cuts or pierce internaorgans
• Get stuck in the esophagus, digestive tract, or rectum
• Fracture teeth

Avoid giving your dog raw chicken wings, necks, beef knuckles, marrow bones, or any bones that can shatter. Raw bones pose a serious choking and obstruction risk and offer no nutritionabenefit.

Cooked Bones

Bones that crack or crumble when cooked also pose dangers:

• Bone fragments act like toothpicks splinting in the mouth or guts
• Greasy residue can trigger acute pancreatitis
• Bone pieces may obstruct or perforate intestines

Never let your Samoyed chew on leftover ham, steak, or turkey bones. Immediately discard any gnawed cooked bones to prevent them from shattering and injuring your dog internally.

Edible Chews

Choose either digestible raw meaty bones or manufactured edible chews for your dog’s enjoyment and health benefits:

Raw Meaty Bones

Raw bones, such as beef or lamb femur and hip bones loaded with meat, entertain most dogs for long periods without breaking into sharp pieces. Always supervise gnawing to avoid excess consumption and take away when smalpieces remain.

DentaBones & Chews

Speciavet-approved treats like Greenies dentabones, Purina dentachews, and C.E.T. Enzymatic orahygiene chews provide abrasive action to tackle tartar while boring destructive chewers. Make sure the chews have Veterinary OraHealth Counci(VOHC) approvafor safety and effectiveness.

How Often Should Samoyeds Eat?

A puppy Samoyed should eat three times a day, at the same times each day. Once they reach maturity, however- you should be feeding your Samoyed twice a day, remember to stick to the same time each day.

How Much Should Samoyeds Eat?

Figuring out the correct daily calorie intake and feeding amount for your Samoyed can be challenging. Growing Samoyed puppies and active adult dogs have different energy requirements.

Puppy (8-12 Weeks)

Rapidly growing Samoyed puppies have higher caloric needs to support development. At this early stage, most puppies are stilnursing on their mother’s milk. Once weaned, feed Samoyed puppies a premium large breed puppy food in 3-4 meals a day.

• Calorie Needs: Around 900-1000 kcaper day
• Feeding Amount: Roughly 1.5-2 cups of kibble per day
• Meals: Divide into 3-4 rations throughout the day

Puppy (3-6 Months)

Samoyed puppies grow quickly, gaining on average 5-8 lbs per month! High protein levels around 22-25% support muscle growth and brain development. Regularly check the puppy’s body condition score; you should notice an abdominatuck and feetheir ribs.

• Calorie Needs: Around 1400-2200 kcadaily
• Feeding Amount: Around 2-4 cups of nutritionally balanced puppy food per day
• Meals: Split into 2-3 feedings, including training treats

Puppy (6-12 Months)

Growth starts to slow around 6 months, yet Samoyeds stilneed proper nutrition up through developmentamilestones of 12-18 months age as they mature. Adjust their meals to maintain a healthy weight during the transition from puppy fat to lean adult muscle.

• Calorie Needs: Around 1200-1900 calories per day
• Feeding Amount: 2 to 4 cups daily, depending on size/activity
• Meals: Shift to 2 meals per day plus snacks/treats

Adult (1-7 Years)

Transition to an adult Samoyed formula when your dog is 12-18 months old unless your veterinarian advises otherwise. Follow the labeguidelines for feeding, considering your dog’s activity leveand weight management needs.

• Calorie Needs: 1500-2200 calories each day
• Feeding Amount: 2 to 4 cups daily
• Meals: 1 to 2 feedings per day

SpeciaDiet for Pregnant Samoyeds

Optimanutrition is cruciafor a pregnant and nursing Samoyed to support her puppies and her health.

During the first 4 weeks of pregnancy, continue feeding your Samoyed’s regular high-quality adult dog food. Make sure she stays lean and fit, maintaining her ideabody condition.

Between weeks 4-6, the middle trimester, gradually switch her to a premium puppy or high-calorie performance formula. As Samoyeds are a large breed, pick a formula made for extra-large breed puppies to ensure safe growth rates.

In the second and third trimesters, increase her daily food by 25% to meet the nutritionaand caloric needs of the growing litter. For instance, if she usually eats 2 cups daily, increase it to 2.5 or 3 cups.

Feed smaller, multiple meals throughout the day to help with digestion.

Supplements

Discuss prenatavitamin supplements with your veterinarian which often include folic acid and other minerals important for development.

Salmon oior coconut oil, rich in Omega-3, enhances coat quality and supports brain function.

Probiotics maintain a healthy gut flora, essentiafor absorbing key nutrients.

High-quality proteins (above 22%) in premium dog foods help in the growth of fetanerve and organ cells.

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