| Many pet owners are thinking about feeding their | | | | Am I willing to make additional visits to the |
| dog or cat a homemade diet. This can be for | | | | veterinarian to ensure that my pet remains in good |
| numerous reasons, whether they are concerned | | | | health? |
| about the safety of commercial pet food or they | | | | Pets that eat a homemade diet should be brought in |
| simply want to offer their pet a variety at mealtime. | | | | for regular veterinary exams at least two to three |
| Feeding a homemade diet is only for the most | | | | times per year to ensure they are not experiencing |
| dedicated of pet owners. Some people say that | | | | any nutrient deficiencies or excesses. These visits |
| cooking for your pet is a "no-brainer". Other people | | | | may involve the cost of routine blood and urine tests |
| say that cooking for your pet is a very complicated | | | | or x-rays. |
| and labor-intensive process. | | | | Am I willing to accept the risks involved in feeding |
| No matter who you listen to, there's some important | | | | my pet a homemade diet? |
| factors to take into consideration before embarking | | | | There are potential short-term and long-term risks |
| on this path. Here are a few questions to ask | | | | involved with feeding pets a homemade diet, |
| yourself before getting started. | | | | especially if the owner decides to omit ingredients |
| Am I willing to invest the time and money necessary | | | | that supply the pet with essential levels of vitamins |
| to prepare my pet's meals? | | | | and minerals. Clinical signs may not occur until the pet |
| The bottom line is: cooking for your pet requires | | | | has been fed the inadequate diet for an extended |
| more time and money on your part. Think about how | | | | period of time--several months or in some cases |
| much time and money you spend preparing meals for | | | | several years later. |
| yourself and your human family. Are you willing to do | | | | Remember that certain table scraps should never be |
| this for your pet too? | | | | feed to pets. Gravy, meat fats, and poultry skin can |
| Careful consideration must be made when selecting | | | | cause serious digestive upset. There is also the |
| recipes, shopping for ingredients, and choosing | | | | potential for pancreatitis, a life-threatening disease, to |
| supplements. It's not as easy as searching online for | | | | occur. Bones can also splinter when chewed and have |
| a recipe. The majority of recipes you find for free on | | | | the potential to cause intestinal blockages and |
| the Internet are inadequate when fed for long | | | | perforations. |
| periods of time and are not formulated by someone | | | | Other ingredients that should not be fed to pets |
| trained in veterinary nutrition. | | | | include chocolate, raisins, grapes, onions, garlic, |
| A pet owner should only consider recipes that have | | | | avocados, coffee, macadamia nuts, salt, tea leaves, |
| been formulated and balanced by veterinarians | | | | raw yeast dough, and xylitol, a common sweetener |
| trained specifically in the field of animal nutrition. | | | | found in baked goods, gum and candy. |
| Spending a little extra money to have recipes | | | | Who will prepare meals for my pet should I become ill |
| formulated for your pet's unique nutritional | | | | or go on vacation? |
| requirements is beneficial and provides peace of mind. | | | | Pet owners should instruct a friend or family member |
| A group of veterinarians at offer such a service. | | | | on how to properly prepare the pet's diets. |
| Do I understand that if for some reason I'm no | | | | Many pets do very well eating homemade pet food, |
| longer able to prepare my pet's meals that he will | | | | and some do not. But then again, the same can be |
| have a difficult time switching back to commercial pet | | | | said for commercial pet food. Owners who are |
| food? | | | | considering feeding their pet a homemade diet should |
| Donald Strombeck, DVM, PhD, author of | | | | always consider the validity and nutritional training of |
| Home-Prepared Dog and Cat Diets--The Healthful | | | | those recommending a particular diet or recipe. |
| Alternative, states that many pets develop an | | | | If you're certain you want to cook for your pet, |
| intolerance for commercial pet food after being fed a | | | | consult first with your veterinarian and do plenty of |
| home-prepared diet. | | | | research on the topic, both online and offline. |