| More and more people are beginning to make their | | | | any fried foods and raw pork. You also want to avoid |
| dog's food at home rather than buying commercial | | | | any milk, cream, ice cream, pastries, white bread, |
| formulas. Homemade dog food doesn't contain any | | | | sugary foods, grapes, raisins and onions. Also, keep in |
| substances that could possibly be harmful to your | | | | mind that anything you consider to be junk food would |
| dog's health such as artificial coloring and artificial | | | | not be good for your dog. |
| flavors. | | | | Healthy foods to give your dog would include raw or |
| Another reason to make homemade dog food is the | | | | cooked lean cuts of meat: beef, poultry, lamb, whitefish |
| preservatives added to the commercial dog food. | | | | and fatty fish (like salmon). Also included in a healthy |
| Homemade dog food has the benefit of optimum | | | | diet are cooked grains, eggs (raw or cooked), finely |
| freshness without preservatives. | | | | chopped or ground raw vegetables (remember, no |
| There are dogs that would greatly benefit from a | | | | onions), and bits of fruit (again, remember to give your |
| homemade diet. Some dogs who suffer from allergies | | | | dog no raisons or grapes). |
| that cause severe itching may find relief once | | | | These are just the basics. There are books on the |
| switched from commercial dog food to a homemade | | | | subject that provide great recipes and a full list of |
| diet. | | | | good foods and foods to stay away from. |
| Processed dog food is a relatively new product and | | | | A basic formula for a homemade diet would be 50 |
| scientists don't fully understand the differences | | | | percent protein, 25 percent vegetables (ground so |
| between commercial food and a diet of fresh food. | | | | they are easy to digest), and 25 percent grain (such |
| There may be problems occurring in a dog's health | | | | as rice and oatmeal). Add to that some supplements |
| because he is being given food that has had the | | | | of certain vitamins, minerals, and oils rich in omega-3 |
| nutrients cooked out of it and then sprayed back on. | | | | for healthy skin and coat. |
| It's also possible that the extremely high heat used to | | | | There are some pets that do not do well on a |
| produce commercial dog food may alter the protein | | | | homemade diet so be sure to check with your vet |
| structure in the meats used. It's not proven whether | | | | before making any changes to your dog's diet. After |
| such protein alteration negatively affects a dog's | | | | making the change, pay attention to how your dog |
| health, and since dogs seem to maintain their regular | | | | responds. Not all dogs thrive on a homemade diet. |
| health during regulated feeding trials most people feel | | | | Some dogs may have trouble adjusting and others |
| that commercial food is good enough to maintain their | | | | might not like the food or suffer from temporary |
| dog's health. | | | | digestive upset. Slowly changing the dog's diet, |
| What if you want more than to give your dog a food | | | | gradually giving more of the homemade food and less |
| that is "good enough". There are many recipes you | | | | of the commercial, can help alleviate stomach upset. |
| can use. There are ebooks available with a variety of | | | | If you have the time it takes to prepare your dog's |
| recipes that will provide your dog a well-rounded diet | | | | food, or feel very strongly about providing your dog |
| full of nutrition and every vitamin and mineral he needs. | | | | with the best diet possible, a diet of homemade food |
| There are certain foods you want to avoid, such as | | | | can't be beat. |
| fatty meats, cured meat, (sausage, bacon, hot dogs), | | | | |