Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Factors to Keep in Mind When Preparing Home Made Dog Food

By Juliette Crane


Many people today realize that home made dog food is a great alternative to provide for all your pet's nutritional requirements. Because you can prepare the meals, you can make it as healthy as it can be for your canine. Not only that, it can also be quite economical when planned beforehand. Here are some great tips on how to make dog food the best way.

1. Discuss with your veterinarian before making any changes in your pet's lifestyle, especially in their diet. Some canines are born with specific needs and some food might prove to be harmful when incorporated into their diet. Find out your dog's health status and prepare accordingly.

2. Research about food in relation to canines. There are a lot of food that are dangerous when ingested by animals, many of which are found right under our noses. For example we have chocolates, onions, baby food, macadamia nuts, mushrooms, grapes, raisins and all types of caffeine. There are more so read up on toxic substances for dogs so you can keep these stored and locked away.

3. There are several who will recommend serving animal food that are raw and as close to their natural form as possible; however, for safety reasons it is best to cook all served meals as thoroughly as possible to avoid any potential infections. You can store the cook the doggie meals in advance and store them in the refrigerator for around 3 days.

4. Feed the dog the right amount of starch, meats and vegetable. Some use the 50-25-25 ratio, with starch making up for most of the meals. Start with this and change it as to what ratio your canine responds best to. Potato and rice are excellent sources of starch while tomatoes, peas, carrots and green beans are vegetable fare that will benefit the dog greatly. Any kind of meat is acceptable; however, take care on the volume you use. An excess of liver or any organ meat is detrimental to the canine's health. Also, chop small pieces of fruits for your pet to snack on.

5. Consult the vet on how to best portion meals to your dogs. Some canines have a more active lifestyle and need a larger quantity of food (high in protein), while some must be monitored carefully. Loving your dog does not mean feeding him treats at all times. Responsible owners need to exercise restraint and care in providing him with the right kind and amount of food.

6. When transitioning the dog from store bought pet food to home made dog food, make sure that you do this slowly. Feed the canine the new dishes little by little and decrease his regular pet food gradually. If there is no adverse reaction to the new food, increase the home made fare until it becomes his standard meal.

Switch up the dishes and menu every once in a while. This will ensure that your canine will get the nutrients and vitamins he needs; as well as keep his attention and interest. Sometimes it is somewhat of a challenge to learn how to make dog food, but in the end, it is well worth the effort.




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