When many well-known pet foods were recently recalled because of safety issues, it sent many pet owners scrambling to find a reliably healthy and safe dog food. What they found was that there are some wonderful alternatives to feeding their best friend mass-produced commercial dog food.
Did you know you could cook for your dog? Homemade dog food is growing in popularity, because it gives dog owners the opportunity to control what exactly goes into their dog's meals. Cooking for your dog isn't something that should be done without a good knowledge of your dog's nutritional requirements and an understanding of what foods can be dangerous to dogs.
Dogs need to eat a balanced diet. Homemade foods should be made up of 40 percent meat, 30 percent starch, and 30 percent vegetables. Their meat should be boneless and thoroughly cooked. After the cooked meat is cooled, cut it into bite-sized pieces or grind it up. The pieces of meat should be sized based on the size of your dog.
Cooked brown rice and pasta are popular choices for starch in a dog's diet. You can rotate the two for variety. When choosing a vegetable, carrots are popular. But try other vegetables and see which ones your dog prefers. Any vegetable you feed your dog should be thoroughly cooked. Also, scrambled eggs can be a nutritious addition to the meal you're preparing, and one many dogs will enjoy.
Now for the foods that are dangerous to dogs. These are ingredients that should never be used. You may want to keep a list of them on the refrigerator. Onions, chocolate, grapes and raisins, avocados, mushrooms, and macadamia nuts are all hazardous to dogs. When cooking for your dog, make only enough food for three days. That's the maximum amount of time you can safely store the food in the refrigerator.
Don't have time to cook? Don't worry. The market for holistic dog foods is growing as well as the availability of these high-quality foods. There are several different brands and flavors to chose from. You should be able to find one that suits your dog's tastes. Currently, you can buy holistic dog foods from specialty health food stores, most boutique pet stores, and online.
When shopping for a holistic dog food there are several things you want to look for on the label. These foods should always be made with human-grade, all natural ingredients. Many will also include Omega 3 and 6 supplements that promote healthy looking coats. Holistic foods should be free of preservatives, fillers, meat by-products, hormones, antibiotics, or artificial flavors. They should also avoid the use of corn, wheat, and soy filler. These are ingredients that are hard for your dog to digest.
Now that you know the basics of what to look for in a holistic dog food and how to cook for your dog at home, you can chose which is right for you. In doing so, you will be able to rest easy knowing that you're feeding a healthy, natural, and tasty diet to your best friend.
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