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