Author: Madeleine Innocent
There is absolutely no doubt in my mind. Without question, the best dog food is one which is based on a wild dog’s diet. Dogs have evolved on this. It’s raw meat. There are no cookers in nature. People are reluctant to believe this for a variety of reasons. So lets look at some of them, and dispel your fears. Firstly, you may be worried about the presence os parasites and worms in raw meat. It’s been drummed into you that meat needs to be cooked to kill them off. I can assure you, that dogs digestion is robust. They have no trouble with worms and parasites in raw meat. They have evolved to deal with this. What they haven’t evolved to deal with is cooked food, high fat content, preservatives, pathogens in cooked food, poor quality filler and the low grade food which passes for dog food. Secondly, you may be concerned about bones perforating an internal organ. Dogs evolved by crunching up on raw bones. They have absolutely no problem with raw bones, as long as they are raw and they gnaw them. If you have more than one dog and they gobble the bone down to ensure the other doesn’t get it, they may suffer some discomfort while the bone passes through their digestive system, but it won’t do more than cause them discomfort. So ensure your dog gnaws the bone in peace. The other problem is with cooked bones. These can perforate your dog’s internal organs. Cooked bones are a definite no-no when working out the ingredients for the best dog food. Thirdly, you may think feeding your dog a raw food diet is expensive. After all, the connotation ‘best dog food’ looks expensive. It depends on what you take into consideration. If you are feeding your dog the cheapest brand of dog food from the supermarket, and don’t have any ailments treated, then you may be right. If you do, I doubt you’re reading this. So lets suppose you feed your dog a medium priced commercial dog food and do use the services of a veterinarian or other health professional, for ailments your dog may suffer. Raw dog food is nutrient dense. Commercial dog food is nutrient poor. So you need to feed much more commercial dog food to come anywhere near (and it never comes close) to providing the decent diet that raw meat does. Which means you need much less volume of raw food compared with commercial dog food. Then, if you include the fees you spend on health care, there’s no comparison. Commercial pet food keeps veterinarians wealthy. They hardly see the healthy dogs fed on raw meat, nature’s best dog food. Fourthly, you may think that the purchase and preparation of the best dog food there is, is too much like hard work. You think it may be too big a hassle. I’ve taken the hassle out of it, by telling you how to do it without making the mistakes I did. Fifthly, you may think you dog doesn’t like raw food. Have you ever tried? With decent food, I mean? I can assure you, there is no dog alive who doesn’t recognise the raw food as the best dog food. If you’re overfeeding your dog, he may refuse it initially. And if you leave food out all day, that’s likely. Keep in mind too, many commercial dog food manufacturers add appetite stimulants to the food. This may cause a short term problem, while he adapts. Lastly, you may be concerned that you don’t know enough to be able to get the nutritional needs of your dog correct. After all, that’s what’s pushed by veterinarians and commercial dog food manufacturers - you don’t know enough. Just because the packet tells you this brand is ‘recommended by top vets’ or that brand is ‘scientific’, doesn’t mean they are selling the best dog food. Quite the opposite, in fact. I can tell you from experience, it’s not as difficult as they make out. You do need to know some important facts, but once you’ve opened your mind to allowing your own inner wisdom to emerge, and by following certain natural laws, you’ll have no problem working it out. If everyone started feeding their dog raw meat, many, many veterinarians would go out of business. What are you waiting for?
Aug 06, 2009 | | Dog Food
Author: Rolf Joho
If you want your dogs to remain happy and content then you have to feed them with the best dog food. This in turn means that you will have to consider a few things that will help you pick the best foods for your dog, especially when you are planning on buying dry dog food. Though it is quite possible that your dog(s) might not have any preference between dry and wet dog foods it still pays to see which type your dog loves the most. In case of most dogs they do tend to be picky and so you have to use trial and error methods to establish which kind your dog loves the best.
Regulate His Diet
It is also a good idea to ensure feeding your dog with regulated diet so that you can choose certain dog foods that the dog will relish and eat happily. It also means avoiding feeding him with human food as this can give rise to numerous health concerns including stomach aches and obesity as too problems with behavior.
Another important consideration related to dog food is that you must ensure feeding him according to his body weight and for more information you must check the dog food label to see how much of a portion is safe for feeding your pet dog. Even when starting your pet on a new dog food it pays to start off slowly to ensure that the food goes down well with your dog and does not make him feel sick.
If you want your pet to feed on moist food you can add a little water to his dry dog food and get the desired results though be careful that by adding water to his food, it can spoil the smell of his food. And, after having fed your pet dog it is also necessary that you ensure that he gets his fair share of exercise so that he remains in shape.
It pays to also select dog food that has enough vitamin content as this will help to create a shinier coat and his nails too will grow stronger. When picking his food, you should check the major dog food brands which are well known for having a lot of nutritious content and which also come in many flavors that will appeal to your dog’s senses. Some dog lamb accompanied by rice is OK for your dog.
Choosing the right dog food can often be confusing because of the different ingredients used as too because of the terminology used. There are also foods that are suited for puppies and those that are suited for larger sized dog breeds and you will also come across foods that help control your pet’s weight and there are also wellness dog foods that suit pets that have allergies or some other kind of health problems.
Times have indeed changed since the beginning of the nineteenth century before which dogs generally subsisted on wheat, bread and barley and rye. Only rarely did dog owners feed their dogs with meat. During the nineteenth century feeding dogs with meat was something that signified the dog owner’s status - that is until the first dog food was introduced in the year 1860 when in England an American called James Spratt founded his own dog food company.
Since then dog food has become big business and of course many changes have taken place in what we can and cannot feed our pets. The fifties saw the advent of dry dog food and today there is much variety in the type of commercially produced dog food that is available on the market.
The bottom line is that you should only feed your dog the correct type and amount of food. For a ten pound dog it is necessary that he gets 850 calories on a daily basis; for a twenty pound dog the number of calories should not exceed 1400 per day while a thirty pound dog must not be fed more than 1800 calories on a daily basis and a fifty pound dog should get at most 2700 calories per day.
Aug 06, 2009 | | Dog Food
Author: Lizzie Novotny
My two Vizsla hunting dogs get homemade dog food twice each day. I mix an adjusted amount with good quality dry kibble.
Homemade dog food can be better than some commercial products. We don’t realize what’s in the food we give our pets. Always inspect the ingredients.
Commercial dog foods can contain preservatives, and are altered by chemical processes that can be unhealthy for dogs. They can also contain processed unknown animal products and fillers that do nothing to contribute to your pet’s health.
To avoid your dogs ingesting unknown dog food ingredients, make your own. Control not only the content, but the quality as well.
Reasons To Consider A Homemade Dog Food
Homemade dog food, your hunting dog will love you
* dog has allergies to food
* persistent skin problems
* gastrointestinal upsets including diarrhea or constipation
* competes in sporting events or working stock and needs strength for endurance
* control of quality and freshness
* nothing processed so food retains all the vitamins, antioxidants and enzymes
Observe your dog to see he is getting his required dog food nutrition.
* shiny coat, illustrious feel
* sparkling eyes
* alert, good energy and activity
* maintain weight without getting fat
* stool firm and consistent
An appropriately balanced dog food recipe contains roughly 40% meat, 30% starch and 30% vegetables.
1. Meat: Any type can be included. Organ meat, such as liver, is particularly healthy for dogs. Bones should be removed as they are a choking hazard. Cook the meat - uncooked meat can contain unhealthy bacteria and possibly parasites.
2. Starch: Most forms are okay - cooked pasta, potatoes, and rice are common choices for homemade dog food.
3. Vegetables: Most types can be used. Do not use onions as they can be toxic. Cook the vegetables - raw veggies can pose a choking hazard.
Recipe For Quick Adult Homemade Dog Food
This recipe will feed a 50 pound adult dog for one day. If your dog in smaller or larger then the 50 pounds, adjust the amount of ingredients. You can cook enough for many days, divide accordingly and freeze the rest. This food has No preservatives, so refrigerate the fresh food for 3 days maximum. The human vitamin supplement Theragran-M Advanced and calcium carbonate (example: Tums) can be found in any pharmacy. Always consult with your veterinarian.
* 5 oz. dark meat chicken or turkey beef or fish
* 2 1/8 cups cooked brown rice
* 1 tsp. corn oil
* 1/2 tsp. salt
* 2 pills Theragran-M Advanced (crushed)
* 2100 milligrams calcium carbonate (crushed)
Directions:
1. Cook rice until done.
2. Bake your meat, poultry, or fish choice 325 degrees for 30 minutes.
3. Crush human vitamins and “Tums”.
4. Mix all ingredients.
Pay attention to your dog’s response to the new dog food recipes you use. There may be items they refuse to eat or have reactions to a particular food. Try something else in their place, such as substitute chicken for turkey or rice for potatoes. Be aware for changes in your dog’s behavior, especially things such as excessive scratching. This could indicate an allergy to one of the foods you are using.
Homemade dog food recipes generally cause fewer allergic reactions than commercial brands. Plus, by making dog food recipes at home, you can control the proportion of different ingredients. This can be very important to working and sporting breeds that may require more nutrients for their active lifestyles.
While in the kitchen, why not whip up some dog biscuits. Recipes can be found on the Internet, or try your library. Here is an easy dog biscuit recipe, use it for training or a treat. I have never met a dog who didn’t love his cheese!
Any Cheese Biscuits
* 1 cup all purpose flour
* 1 cup whole wheat flour
* 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella, or any cheese in the fridge)… dogs Love any type of cheese!
* 2 tbsp. butter
* 3/4 cup milk, lowfat
* grated Parmesan for topping (if you have it on hand)
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Mix all flours and cheese together in a food processor (or by hand, mix well).
3. Add softened butter and milk, mix well.
4. Roll out on a surface to 1/4 to 1/2 inch thickness.
5. Cut into shapes, squares is fine.
6. Place on greased baking surface.
7. Bake for 15 to 29 minutes or until golden brown.
8. Cool and store in refrigerator.
Always check with your Veterinarian before making any changes to your dog’s diet. For any type of dog, homemade dog food is a good choice to ensure they live a long, happy, and healthy life.Author: Lizzie Novotny
My two Vizsla hunting dogs get homemade dog food twice each day. I mix an adjusted amount with good quality dry kibble.
Homemade dog food can be better than some commercial products. We don’t realize what’s in the food we give our pets. Always inspect the ingredients.
Commercial dog foods can contain preservatives, and are altered by chemical processes that can be unhealthy for dogs. They can also contain processed unknown animal products and fillers that do nothing to contribute to your pet’s health.
To avoid your dogs ingesting unknown dog food ingredients, make your own. Control not only the content, but the quality as well.
Reasons To Consider A Homemade Dog Food
Homemade dog food, your hunting dog will love you
* dog has allergies to food
* persistent skin problems
* gastrointestinal upsets including diarrhea or constipation
* competes in sporting events or working stock and needs strength for endurance
* control of quality and freshness
* nothing processed so food retains all the vitamins, antioxidants and enzymes
Observe your dog to see he is getting his required dog food nutrition.
* shiny coat, illustrious feel
* sparkling eyes
* alert, good energy and activity
* maintain weight without getting fat
* stool firm and consistent
An appropriately balanced dog food recipe contains roughly 40% meat, 30% starch and 30% vegetables.
1. Meat: Any type can be included. Organ meat, such as liver, is particularly healthy for dogs. Bones should be removed as they are a choking hazard. Cook the meat - uncooked meat can contain unhealthy bacteria and possibly parasites.
2. Starch: Most forms are okay - cooked pasta, potatoes, and rice are common choices for homemade dog food.
3. Vegetables: Most types can be used. Do not use onions as they can be toxic. Cook the vegetables - raw veggies can pose a choking hazard.
Recipe For Quick Adult Homemade Dog Food
This recipe will feed a 50 pound adult dog for one day. If your dog in smaller or larger then the 50 pounds, adjust the amount of ingredients. You can cook enough for many days, divide accordingly and freeze the rest. This food has No preservatives, so refrigerate the fresh food for 3 days maximum. The human vitamin supplement Theragran-M Advanced and calcium carbonate (example: Tums) can be found in any pharmacy. Always consult with your veterinarian.
* 5 oz. dark meat chicken or turkey beef or fish
* 2 1/8 cups cooked brown rice
* 1 tsp. corn oil
* 1/2 tsp. salt
* 2 pills Theragran-M Advanced (crushed)
* 2100 milligrams calcium carbonate (crushed)
Directions:
1. Cook rice until done.
2. Bake your meat, poultry, or fish choice 325 degrees for 30 minutes.
3. Crush human vitamins and “Tums”.
4. Mix all ingredients.
Pay attention to your dog’s response to the new dog food recipes you use. There may be items they refuse to eat or have reactions to a particular food. Try something else in their place, such as substitute chicken for turkey or rice for potatoes. Be aware for changes in your dog’s behavior, especially things such as excessive scratching. This could indicate an allergy to one of the foods you are using.
Homemade dog food recipes generally cause fewer allergic reactions than commercial brands. Plus, by making dog food recipes at home, you can control the proportion of different ingredients. This can be very important to working and sporting breeds that may require more nutrients for their active lifestyles.
While in the kitchen, why not whip up some dog biscuits. Recipes can be found on the Internet, or try your library. Here is an easy dog biscuit recipe, use it for training or a treat. I have never met a dog who didn’t love his cheese!
Any Cheese Biscuits
* 1 cup all purpose flour
* 1 cup whole wheat flour
* 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella, or any cheese in the fridge)… dogs Love any type of cheese!
* 2 tbsp. butter
* 3/4 cup milk, lowfat
* grated Parmesan for topping (if you have it on hand)
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Mix all flours and cheese together in a food processor (or by hand, mix well).
3. Add softened butter and milk, mix well.
4. Roll out on a surface to 1/4 to 1/2 inch thickness.
5. Cut into shapes, squares is fine.
6. Place on greased baking surface.
7. Bake for 15 to 29 minutes or until golden brown.
8. Cool and store in refrigerator.
Always check with your Veterinarian before making any changes to your dog’s diet. For any type of dog, homemade dog food is a good choice to ensure they live a long, happy, and healthy life.
Jul 31, 2009 | | Dog Food
Author: Gerry Restrivera
Pet owners should realize the importance of dog food in their dog’s health and safety. Without a well balanced diet, your dog is prone to illnesses that may eventually cause his death. Food is the basic needs of dogs and you have to make sure that your dog is properly fed with nutritious food to keep him healthy. Preparing dog food at home is a good option to take control of your dog’s health and safety. Here are the amazing benefits of natural homemade dog food: Your dog will live longer. Dogs properly fed with natural homemade dog food lives longer than those dogs whose owners feed them commercial dog food. With the absence of dangerous chemicals and preservatives in your homemade dog food, your dog will be healthier, happier and free from all kinds of life threatening diseases. Your dog will have a perfect slim and attractive weight. Obesity is the number one health disorder of dogs. Commercial dog food is usually high in fat and sugar leading to obesity in dogs. You can prevent obesity and take control of the calorie intake of your dog by preparing natural homemade dog food. Your dog is not prone to ear and skin infection, worms and fleas. He will look and feel much healthier. With natural homemade dog food, you will save a lot on vet bills with your dog free from all kinds of infections and allergies. Your dog is well behaved. Chemicals in dog food are proven to cause behavior problems in dogs, including increased aggressiveness. This can be dangerous especially if your dog is around children. Feeding your dog with natural homemade dog food will result to a friendlier and well behaved dog. Your dog is cleaner and smells better. With natural homemade dog food, you dog’s teeth is much cleaner and his breath smells much better. His poo is smaller and has much less stink. Cleaning up is no longer a stomach-turner chore for you. Your dog will get closer to you and he will love you more. Making his own food is another way to bond with your loving pet. Your efforts to feed him with nutritious natural homemade dog food will be greatly appreciated by your dog and he will love you more for taking good care of him. Natural homemade dog food will ensure the safety and health of your dog. Get some healthy, well-balanced dog food recipes and start feeding your dog with natural homemade dog food. Discover a proven survival-guide to a healthier, happier dog that lives up to 8.3 years longer than dogs whose owners feed them commercial dog food.
Jul 31, 2009 | | Dog Food
Author: David Amos
Introduction
Your dog’s health and wellbeing is important to you and your family. Not to mention keeping down the cost of veterinarian bills! So you need to carefully consider the food that you give your dog. People sometimes just pick the first dog food bag they see at the store. It’s easy to overlook the importance of dog food but it is essential to pick the right one for your dog.
To keep your dog healthy he needs plenty of fresh water and should be fed good quality dog food in amounts just right to meet his energy requirements. Always follow the guidelines on the dog food package for recommended feeding amounts.
Picking a dog food
The first challenge in choosing a dog food is picking one that has overall quality. The term that comes up a lot about dog food is human grade. Human grade implies that the dog food is good enough for us to eat. Many commercial dog foods are made from materials unusable or less desirable for human consumption. Often the meat that is used in dog food is of a quality considered unfit for humans to eat.
Major dog food companies try to provide balanced proportions of vitamins and minerals for maximum benefit to your dog. Although you may see that many brands of dog food have almost identical labels, a reputable dog food company will provide an explanation for each supplement and how it benefits your dog.
Always read the label to see what proteins, vitamins and minerals are being provided to your dog. Try not to use store brand dog food they may short change your dog on much needed nutrition.
Studies have shown that the primary ingredient in dog food should be meat-based protein, not corn meal, flour or corn gluten meal. According to reviews a better quality dog food results in a healthier coat, fewer digestive problems and firmer stools. Pet-nutrition experts agree that the best dog food is made from human-grade ingredients like meat, whole grains and vegetables. Premium dog food is so important because good nutrition is essential for a long, healthy life.
Types of dog food
There are many varieties of dog food to choose from. The three most popular types of dog foods are dry, semi-moist and canned products. Check the color of your dog food. Usually dog food made from natural ingredients will have soft earth tones and contain no preservatives, artificial colors and flavors.
Raw dog food is becoming more popular. More and more veterinarians recommend feeding your dog with raw dog food. They feel that this is the best choice and is the healthiest food for your dog. After all, you’ve never seen your dog enjoy commercial dog food the way he enjoys a good meaty bone.
Raw food advocates concede the diet costs more than traditional dog food, but they argue it’s worth it. You may find that locating free natural home made dog food recipes is not easy. Try making a mixture of ground turkey, rice and carrot as your own dog food. Your dog will thank you for it.
If you decide to go the commercial route, try and choose a good premium dog food since it contains more energy and protein than an economy brand. Unfortunately not all dog food brands contain high quality and natural ingredients, so always check the label. It is best if you seek advice from your veterinarian before deciding on which dog food to feed your dog or puppy. He will know your dog’s dietary needs and you will find that veterinary offices and feed stores often carry excellent and natural dog food.
All Natural Dog Food
Many natural dog foods contain only fresh, natural and wholesome ingredients for your dog. Not only are the protein ingredients digestible, but the carbohydrates in the dog food are digestible. Natural dog food has 100% nutritional value which is important for healthy strong dogs. Chicken, egg and fish are examples of protein that is provided in natural dog food. There are also ingredients in natural dog food that really help the health of your dog’s skin and also your dog’s coat. One of the main draw backs of natural dog food is that it has a shorter shelf life and may spoil before it is used.
Dried Dog Food
A good high quality dry dog food will work out to be more economical than the generic brands even though they cost more per pound. A vast majority of dog owners go for dry dog food for its convenience and ease of storage. The cheaper dry dog foods are made from soybean, corn or rice, while many premium dry dog foods are made with all-natural, human-grade ingredients.
Vegetarian dog foods
There are dog foods specially formulated for dogs that are allergic to wheat, corn, and/or chicken. There are also vegetarian dog foods marketed to owners who do not want their dogs to consume meat products. Most vegetarian dog foods use soy as a protein source. If your dog has allergies consult your vet before putting him on a specialized diet.
Conclusion
Overall it’s usually best to let dogs enjoy dog food and not our food, even though they may prefer what we’re eating! Of course you can feed your dog treats from time to time, every dog needs some TLC from time to time!
Jul 31, 2009 | | Dog Food