Homemade Dog Food Info

In recent years there have been several cases where commercial dog food has caused severe illness, and even death, in pet dogs. As a result, many pet owners have begun to mistrust the pet food companies. Many would prefer to move away from commercial dog food, but simply aren’t aware of any alternative.

If that describes you, read on because in this article I'll provide some usefull tips for making your own dog food.

It is widely accepted that most commercial dog food brands do not meet the nutritional needs of dogs. Most are packed with cheap, processed grains which provide bulk, but little nutritional value.

And then there are the chemical based colorings and flavorings which have been connected to all manner of diseases, including cancer.Even the meat components contained in these foods are generally extremely low grade and unfit for comsumption.

Of course, not all commercial dog foods should be tarred with the same brush. Some, in particular the premium brands, are of much higher quality than what I've described. However, it is doubtful wether they provide the same level of nutrition as a whole food diet, so you may want to consider that for your dog.

Here are 3 quick tips to get you started;

Quality is important. Feed your dog good cuts of unprocessed meat, fresh vegetables and unprocessed fiber, like brown rice. Avoid at all costs, junk food, table scraps and highly processed foods, like white bread.

Remember that dogs are omnivores, so don’t feed only meat. As a rough guide you should feed one third protein and two thirds vegetables and grains. You can feed slightly more protein, but always keep it to at least on third protein, which is very important in the canine diet.

Keep it bland and simple. Dogs don’t need flavoring and seasoning on their food and highly flavored foods can actually cause diarrhea.

Remember also, that there are some human foods that should never be fed to a dog.

It's common knowledge that chocolate is dangerous, but it doesn't stop there. Many other human foods are harmful, even deadly to your dog.

Onions, garlic, raisins, grapes, macadamia nuts are just some of the foods that fall into this category. Other things, like table scraps and junk food may not be deadly, but are just as dangerous, causing obesity and a plethora of related health problems.

Also be careful when giving your dog bones, as these can splinter and cause intestinal damage if swallowed. Raw bones also carry the risk of salmonella poisoning.

By following the simple guidelines above you can quite easily switch your dog to a nutritionally balanced home cooked diet. You should, however, speak to your vet before making the change.

Want to find out more about homemade dog food, dog care, dog obedience training and other helpful dog information? Drop in at http://www.dogsanddogtraining.com