The vast majority of people will associate the term "dog food" with the commercial moist dog food and dry food (or "kibble"). But most people never consider that you can just as easily give your dog homemade meals. There are many reasons why people shift from commercially produced dog food to homemade meals. Here are some of the more common reasons:
1. Medical Problems. Dogs that are diagnosed with cancer or other life endangering health conditions are no longer fed commercial food because of specialized nutritional requirements. Veterinarians may prescribe special diets for unhealthy dogs to prolong the dogs' lives and cut down on the impact of serious health conditions.
2. Performance-based Nutritional Needs. Dogs that are groomed for competitions or for work need extra protein, fat, and carbohydrates. It's easier to supply higher levels of these macronutrients by feeding your pet homemade dog food.
3. Allergies. Not all dogs have extremely adaptable digestive systems. Some dogs just can't seem to tolerate anything that has been commercially processed. When your dog has symptoms of indigestion no matter which commercial dog food you feed it, it's time to turn to homemade meals.
4. Risk Decrease. Commercial foods are cooked up using chemicals and preservatives. A lot of dog owners and researchers believe that over time, these chemicals can induce damage to dogs' organs. That's why many dog owners are now preparing homemade meals for their pets. Homemade meals can reduce exposure to these potentially destructive additives found in commercial dog foods.
Before You Give Homemade Meals to Your Dog
Guidelines for starting your dog on homemade meals
1. By homemade meals, I mean meals that are prepared carefully, just like food that you would give to your family. Table scraps and left-over's are not ideal homemade dog food. Left-over's may be great for humans but, don't contain the important nutrients needed for your dog's growth and metabolic functions.
2. Supplements are almost always required when changing over from commercial dog food to homemade dog meals. Unless you fully understand how to feed your dog a completely balanced diet, your dog may not get sufficient amounts of the proper vitamins and minerals. So, daily supplements may be necessary to prevent nutritional deficiencies.
3. Keep yourself informed and updated about the latest research on canine nutrition. Reading magazines or professional websites can keep you current with new information about keeping your dog healthy.
4. Reduce the chance of food poisoning by cooking all food properly. It's just not true that dogs have cast iron stomachs that can resist all bacteria. Dogs can suffer from food poisoning, just like humans. Partially cooked meats can become a serious source of toxic bacteria, so be sure that you use proper food handling and cooking procedures, just like you would for your family.
5. Always keep in mind that optimal nutrition works best if your dog is able to get sufficient exercise daily.
By feeding your dog a healthy, home-made meal, you are able to carefully monitor the nutrients your dog is getting. Plus, you can give them the correct portion size for their breed.
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