Homemade Dog Food

Pet owners want to provide healthy dog food for their beloved pets, and they would never knowingly allow their animals to ingest things that are bad for them. Of course, most of those same people know little or nothing about dog food nutrition, and simply looking at the label will not give them the whole answer. Unless a person knows what all the terms on the ingredient list mean, they might not realize how bad commercial dog food can be for their pets.

The dog food secrets in the industry are numerous:

- Preservatives: Companies utilize preservatives as dog food ingredients in order to increase the shelf-life of their products. However, these chemicals can be deadly to pets; in fact, some of these same preservatives have been prohibited from human food because of all the health and behavior problems they can cause. To make matters worse, the pet food industry doesn't have to list preservatives on the label if they didn't put them in themselves. What this means to consumers is preservatives that were added at the rendering plant might not be listed as ingredients.

- Euthanized animals: Along with a lot of road kill, many euthanized creatures, including everything from pets to zoo animals, are sent to pet food processing plants. The euthanizing chemicals survive the food manufacturing process intact. In addition to that poison, there is a significant amount of animal fecal material present after rendering that is included in the food as well.

- Plastic, metal and other non-food items: Upon arrival at the rendering plant, many animals are still wearing items such as collars and tags. Workers may not necessarily remove these things prior to processing, and as such they end up in your pet's food.

And these atrocities aren't the only dog food secrets. Often dog food ingredients include the following terms:

- "By-product": This term implies the part of meat that is not considered fit for human consumption. It can include things like intestines and other organs as well as possibly diseased animal parts.

- "Crude protein": Most parts of a rendered animal can be called protein, even hooves and feathers.

- Grain "meal" or "by-product": Often, the grains used in pet food consist of the parts left over after removing what is fit for human consumption. Many times these grains are used as fillers that provide little or no nutritional value to your pet at all.

The fact of the matter is, it is very difficult, if not impossible to find healthy dog food at the store. So, without advanced knowledge of dog food nutrition, what can you do? The simplest answer is to serve homemade dog food to your dog as often as possible, and reserve commercial foods for those times when you cannot make homemade food. The internet contains a treasure trove of good quality recipes for homemade dog food. Take a look around, but as long as you remember to keep the percentages at roughly 40% meat, 30% starch, and 30% vegetables, and you ensure no toxic foods are making it into your pet's meals, you will be well ahead of the game.

Many pet owners are starting to make their own homemade dog food. Who knows what exactly is in the dry or canned food they sell at the retail store? How better to keep track and control over what your dog puts in their stomach, than making your own dog food?

Recently there has been a rash of pet food recalls, and dog owners have become increasingly worried about store-bought foods. The only thing you do have to watch for is bones in your dogs food. Under no circumstances should there be bones in your dogs food, homemade or otherwise. Bones can get lodged in your dogs mouth and digestive track, causing severe damage and even death.

A few other foods to avoid when making your own homemade dog food are chocolate, mushrooms, grapes raisins and onions. Check out this delicious homemade dog food recipe now!

Dog Casserole

Yes, just like humans, dogs like casserole to! Here is an easy to make, delicious example of how to make your dog grin from ear to ear with their very own homemade casserole.

- Boil 1 cup of poultry and chop it up
- Cook ½ cup of brown rice
- ½ cup of cooked mixed vegetables, avoiding the few that we mentioned above. Carrots, peas and broccoli work just fine, if you're looking for a suggestion or two. Although almost any veggie will do.
- 3 tablespoons of unsalted chicken broth

Mix all of the cooked ingredients together in a bowl and let cool to room temperature. You can also buy dog multivitamins and add it to the food if you prefer. However, it's not strictly necessary.

You can also do up some delicious dog treats all on your own. A great frozen treat that your dog is sure to love is some chicken or beef broth. Just freeze some in little cubes and surprise your pet on a hot day with a nice cool treat. You can also add in a chunk of cheese or a bit of baby food meat to spice it up a little.

If your dog is diabetic, it's not usually a good idea to make your own diabetic-friendly food for it. A diabetic dog has a stringent diet and they need special foods or portions to stay healthy and strong. However, it's not unheard of to make your own diabetic dog food, but usually owners do so because their dog won't eat the commercial foods. If you're contemplating making your own food for your diabetic buddy, you should first consult a veterinarian.

Making your own dog food can be a wonderful experience for both you and your dog. Your dog will be sure to appreciate the variety and you'll be secure in the knowledge that your pet is eating properly.

So what's holding you up? Why not get into the kitchen and try out the recipe shown above? Your dog will be sure to love it!

There are a lot of advantages to making your own homemade dog food. While it's certainly easier to go out and buy a bag of dog food, or a can, whichever may be the case, it may not be the best thing for your dog. Some of the best dog food can come right out of your fridge or cupboard and into your dogs bowl.

Most dogs require a blend of different ingredients in order to make it the healthiest food for your beloved pet. In most cases, this means making a dog food that is 40% meat, 30% fiber and 30% starch. This variable may change a little bit, depending on the breed and size of your dog, but it's a pretty consistent guideline that can be used to make your own homemade organic dog food.

The biggest disadvantage to store-bought dog food is the chemicals. Most store-bought dog foods have chemicals added to them, which can be harmful to your dog. These chemicals help preserve the food, and are added in when the food is being made. By making your own homemade dog food, you can cut out these harmful chemicals and ensure your dog is getting the very best in nutrition.

Think of your dog like a human, just for a moment, and you'll see how their nutrition isn't very different from our own. Ask yourself if homemade food is better for you than store-bought frozen or preserved food? The answer is pretty simple, right? Of course homemade food that hasn't been preserved is better for you.

Another advantage to homemade food versus store bought is the variety. Dogs, like people, get tired of eating the same old chow day after day. You can eliminate this boredom by changing up their food selection every single day! You'll find your dog eats more, and enjoys it more to.

While dog food in a bag or can will supply your animal with the vitamins and nutrients it needs, in most cases (unless you buy the very best and most expensive brands) it will only supply the bare essentials. By making your own homemade dog food, you can provide a wider range of vitamins and minerals, giving your dog a healthier, more complete diet.

Of course, there is also the convenience factor to consider. Making your favorite pet his own food can be fun, and at the same time easier than lugging huge bags of dog food home. You can just eat things from day to day that will benefit your pet, and make up their dish right after you're finished eating dinner. It will probably take a few minutes a night, but you'll have the satisfaction of knowing that your dog is eating properly and will be happier in the long run.

Making your own homemade dog food isn't for everyone. Let's face it; many people just don't have the time or patience to do it every day. However, you could always mix it up some by giving your pet homemade dog food a few times a week, while supplementing their diet with store-bought food the rest of the time.