A Guide To Healthy Homemade Dog Food
Most of the veterinarians agree that healthy homemade dog food is ideal for your pet in the long run. Recently, many pet foods were recalled from the market, and now, most of the pet owners are looking for nutritional guidelines for healthy homemade dog food.
For many years, it was believed that canines were carnivores, but when dogs fell ill from eating all meat diet, it is now believed that canines are omnivores. This means that they need both plant-based food and meat in their diet to remain healthy. Readymade pet food has always been in controversy, as it is believed that there is minimum, or no research done in canine nutritional requirement.
Basics Of Healthy Homemade Dog Food
Healthy homemade dog food must be based on the age and health of your dog, and it should be able to give a shiny coat, bright eyes and energy to your pet. It is important to keep in mind that dogs need protein containing ten amino acids. Corn is the main ingredient of most of the commercial pet foods, but though it is a protein, it has only four of these amino acids. A healthy homemade dog food must be meat-based, along with good quality proteins such as chicken, beef, egg white and fish, and some carbohydrates such as oats, corn, rice, wheat, soy and barley. It is also important to add some vegetables for energy, minerals, fats and vitamins. Such food can be easily prepared at home using human quality foods. And the ingredients can be varied so that the dogs get array of nutrients.
There are few foods that can cause some serious health problems in your dog, and hence must be avoided. These foods include chocolates, macadamia nuts, avocados, garlic, grapes, mushrooms, onions, and all kind of spicy and greasy foods.
How To Make Healthy Homemade Dog Food
If you have been giving your dog readymade food, it is wise to check with your vet before switching over to the healthy homemade dog food. The dog's diet must consist of 40% meat, 30% vegetables and 30% starch. Following this formula will ensure that your canine is getting a well balanced diet. Always cook the meat before giving it to your dog. Organ meat such as kidney, livers and eggs are very good for the health of your dog. It is believed that commercial dog food is unhealthy for dogs as the meat used in those foods is considered unfit for the human consumption. Homemade dog food ingredients must be chosen carefully so as to provide a well-balanced diet.
Grind eggshells, and add this to the dog's food. Do not use the refrigerated food after three days.
