| With the recent pet food recall anxiety, let us make | | | | sprinkle a little will do for taste and health |
| an effort to prepare homemade food for our pets. | | | | 7) Nuts: Some dogs have allergies to nuts. Also, nuts |
| By preparing nutritious wholesome home cooked | | | | are generally bad for dogs as high phosphorus |
| meals for our pets, we know exactly what goes into | | | | content in nuts is said to possibly lead to bladder |
| their body. We are able to control their food intake | | | | stones, especially walnuts. Walnuts are poisonous to |
| and most importantly, a chance for more happy | | | | dogs and at all accounts should be avoided. |
| years ahead with our animal friends. So, make the | | | | 8) Peanut Butter and Peanuts: These are high in fat |
| commitment today to be you a doggie chef today! | | | | and can cause allergies in dogs. |
| Here are some tips on selecting food sources for | | | | 9) Onion: These can cause anemia in dogs. |
| your pet when preparing homemade pet food. Put | | | | 10) Bacon or bacon bits: These are high in salt and |
| this in your shopping bag and refer to the list when | | | | fat. |
| shopping for your the ingredients. This is to ensure | | | | 11) Tuna Fish: Tuna contains mercury which is harmful |
| we do not include food sources that are not | | | | to dogs. If you must feed fish, ensure adequate daily |
| appropriate for them. | | | | supplements are included to boost the natural |
| Here is a list of ingredient we must AVOID for our | | | | immune system to rid the toxins. |
| pets: | | | | 12) Raisins and grapes: Are toxic to dogs!! These |
| 1) Corn, Soy, Sesame, Sunflower oils: Avoid using all | | | | food contain a toxin, which can damage the kidneys. |
| commercial brands of polyunsaturated vegetable oils | | | | Symptoms can include gastrointestinal signs like |
| as they are chemically unstable resulting in toxic | | | | vomiting and diarrhea to life-threatening kidney failure |
| compounds that can damage DNA and cell | | | | which starts about 24 hours after ingestion. The |
| membranes, promoting cancer, inflammation, and | | | | amount of grapes ingested in these cases varied |
| degenerative changes in tissue. | | | | between 9 oz. and 2 lbs., which worked out to be |
| 2) Soy: Some dogs with allergy to soy may find their | | | | between 0.41 and 1.1 oz/kg of body weight. |
| dogs with itchy, flaky skin and a dull coat and may | | | | 13) Night shade vegetables (e.g. tomatoes, |
| cause bloat in dogs as it is also a gas producing | | | | capsicums): These vegetables are known to be toxic |
| product. | | | | to dogs. It contains atropine, which can cause dilated |
| 3) Dairy Products Examples of daily products are | | | | pupils, tremors, and heart arrhythmias. |
| butter, cream, milk: these are high in fat and cause | | | | 14) Chocolate or Caffeine: Keep out of reach of such |
| dogs to be unhealthily overweight. Dogs that are | | | | foods from your dogs. Symptoms occur with the |
| lactose intolerant can also get severe diarrhea. | | | | ingestion of 45 mg per pound of body weight. |
| 4) Pork: Some dogs are prone to allergic reaction | | | | Theobromine deaths have been reported after |
| from pork. Avoid this meat source if you have an | | | | ingestion of 52 mg per pound of body weight. |
| allergic dog. But if your dog does well with it, it is ok | | | | Caffeine is toxic at about 63 mg per pound of body |
| to include in their diet but the meat must be well | | | | weight. |
| cooked to kill all microorganisms which may be | | | | 15) Mushroom: Some species are known to be toxic |
| harmful to them. | | | | to dogs. As we do not know the acceptable species, |
| 5) Sugar: Sugar is one of the primary trigger of | | | | best to avoid all mushrooms. |
| excessive shedding, weight problems, diabetic | | | | 16) Alcohol: Some pet owners let their pets drink |
| conditions and behavioral problems in dogs. Excessive | | | | alcohol occasionally. I prefer not to as our pet is |
| amounts can also lead to obesity and dental | | | | much smaller in size and weight, they get toxic |
| problems. | | | | effect faster then humans. e.g. liver condition in the |
| 6) Salt: Can cause kidney problems and causes dogs | | | | long run. So do not risk it! |
| to shed excessively and may lead to electrolyte | | | | Very importantly, share this list with all family |
| imbalance. The only salt I feel is safe enough to add | | | | members so they know food that should not be fed |
| just a little before feeding is sea salt. Sea salt has lot | | | | to the dog. |
| of natural minerals which are good for your pet. Just | | | | |