| I've been a dog(s) lover and owner for almost 40 | | | | benefits have been huge. His constant itching has |
| years and have owned a total of 7 dogs. | | | | lessened dramatically - his stools have become more |
| In my youth, we didn't have the abundance of | | | | regular - the pleasure it gives me seeing that glint in |
| commercial dog foods that we see filling up the store | | | | his eye at mealtime and how he licks the bowl clean - |
| shelves today. Nor did we have the huge amount of | | | | the preparation time is minimal and I make a huge |
| various treats and chews. It was normal to feed our | | | | batch and then freeze it in portions - It's turned out |
| dogs cooked chunks of meat, whether it be beef, | | | | to be very inexpensive - no, it doesn't smell at all (it's |
| chicken, lamb, etc, mixed with leftover veggies. | | | | all human food after all) - and finally, the feeling that |
| They all lived to the normal lifespan, and died | | | | I'm taking care of my pup the best way I know |
| peacefully of natural causes. In those days, it was | | | | possible. |
| quite uncommon to hear of dogs being diagnosed | | | | I can highly recommend going this route and here are |
| with various cancers. Why then is it that, nowadays, | | | | some important tips to take into account. Above all, |
| almost everyone knows someone whose dog has | | | | remember, when in doubt, either leave it out, or |
| battled some type of cancer? | | | | consult first with your veterinarian. |
| My last best friend died of a brain tumor at the | | | | Do Not's |
| tender age of 8 years old. And yes, I admit, I was | | | | Know which foods are toxic to dogs. I see some |
| feeding him what I considered "the best of the junk | | | | people recommending garlic as a flea deterrent and |
| food". That was my wake-up call. | | | | others saying it's a big no-no. I personally choose to |
| Then the big dog food scare in 2007 opened a whole | | | | stay away in that case, but if you do use it, use only |
| Pandora's box. Many pet owners are now asking | | | | the powdered form in sparing quantities. I see the |
| more questions and are becoming more educated | | | | same debate over tomatoes, again, I choose not to |
| and aware of the unethical practices of many large | | | | chance it. Other no-no's: onions, avocados, |
| and well-known pet food manufacturers. People, | | | | mushrooms, chocolate, grapes and raisins, macadamia |
| rightly so, are no longer trustful that the commercial | | | | nuts, the list goes on and on. Do your research, |
| dog food producers have their pets' best interests at | | | | check with your vet. Be very careful what you give |
| heart. | | | | your dog, and my motto is, if in doubt leave it out! |
| Many commercial dog foods contain not only cheap, | | | | Do's |
| unhealthy fillers which are difficult for our pets to | | | | Give them lean meat (too much fat can cause |
| digest, (such as: cereal byproducts, cottonseed hulls, | | | | pancreatitis) and avoid giving them poultry skin (high |
| crushed peanut shells, straw, corn and crushed | | | | fat content) preferably meat from the butcher so |
| corncobs, weeds, and feathers), but they also | | | | you know the quality, and do give them nice fresh |
| contain preservatives, poisonous dyes, and | | | | vegetables to make sure they have a balanced diet |
| carcinogenic agents that have been banned from | | | | full of nutrients. Try to go for vegetables like |
| human foods. Why then are these ingredients | | | | pumpkin, peas, cucumber, carrots, parsnips, broccoli, |
| available and permitted to be consumed by our | | | | sweet potato or squash which are the best choice |
| beloved pets. | | | | for your healthy dog food recipes and avoid potential |
| I started noticing how many people told me they | | | | digestive problems. Add beans (high in protein and |
| were feeding their dogs homemade food. At first, | | | | antioxidants) or lentils as fillers. I add millet instead of |
| although the idea did appeal to me, I wasn't | | | | rice (gluten free). Add grated or very finely chopped |
| convinced. It seemed just too inconvenient and time | | | | apple, or blueberries (also excellent for their digestive |
| consuming. I was concerned about how I would | | | | tracts and high in antioxidants). |
| know whether I was providing him with the complete | | | | There are hundreds of recipes and variations. Add a |
| nutrients every day. I was concerned that it would | | | | dash of flax oil or crushed flax seed, canine nutritional |
| smell out my kitchen. I was concerned he would | | | | supplement drops or other needed nutrient to make |
| become a fussy eater. What about when I went on | | | | every meal really complete and there are no |
| vacation and had to board him, what would he eat | | | | additives, preservatives or poisons to harm your dog |
| then? Would it end up being more expensive? Plus, | | | | - just good food because you made it yourself. |
| he appears to have a skin allergy and I'm feeding him | | | | And there you have it. If you're ready to increase |
| a high quality no wheat/no chicken dry food. | | | | the energy, vitality and lifespan of your canine |
| I did my research and decided to experiment. My | | | | companions, learn to make your own dog food. It's |
| answer was to combine the best of both worlds. | | | | easy, affordable and there are tons of recipes for |
| I educated myself on how to read those terribly | | | | both dog food and healthy dog treats. You won't |
| misleading dog food labels, and now I'm able to tell at | | | | spend a lot of time in the kitchen, but you will know |
| a single glance the best commercial dog food from | | | | you're doing the very best you can for your trusting |
| the inferior products. And I learned everything | | | | best friend. |
| involved in making my own nutritious and healthy, | | | | A Must Do! |
| homemade dog food. | | | | Educate yourself on commercial dog food. Learn how |
| This solution takes care of the fussy eater issue, as | | | | to decipher dog food labels. For instance, are you |
| well as the boarding issue. I have never looked back. | | | | aware that every product name is an immediate |
| All of my above concerns were unfounded. The | | | | tell-tale sign as to the quality of the product? |