Healthy Homemade Dog Food

If you are thinking of feeding your dog a homemade diet it is important to know how to formulate a complete and balanced diet. When I first decided to cook for my dogs I searched the internet, spoke to other people who were doing the same and bought book after book on the subject. I also discussed how I would formulate their diet with their vet, and then felt confident enough that I could provide the nutrition they needed with a homemade diet.

Preparing healthy homemade dog food is easy, knowing what your particular dog needs is where the learning curve lies. Every dog is different and may have different needs. By this I mean that some dogs may have food allergies, skin problems, be more active than most dogs and the variables go on. However, if your dog does have any health problems, if properly formulated, a homemade diet may provide a significant improvement because you will be able to tailor the diet to the specific needs of the dog.

One of the best books I found to accomplish this task is Dr. Pitcairns Complete Guide to Natural Health For Dogs and Cats . Although he has a more holistic approach to dealing with health problems as a whole, I found his nutritional information invaluable and easy to understand. He provides recipes for healthy pets, and for pets with special conditions. I use his recipe for healthy powder in all my dogs meals and feel confident that they are getting all the nutrition they need. If you are interested in more information regarding Dr. Pitcairn and his natural health approach for pets, his website can be found HERE

Another book I found informative was Dog Health and Nutrition for Dummies . This book covers all aspects of dog care in an easy to read and understand way.

There are many books and sites on the internet to help you understand what is involved in providing a healthy balanced meal for your dog and that also provide recipes, but it is important to understand that homemade diets will vary a lot in their nutritional content depending on the ingredients and how they are prepared and may not be for every dog. I guess what I am trying to say is that you can't just chose a recipe and assume it will be good for your dog. Understanding your dogs needs and how to provide for them is most important before attempting to feed them a homemade diet. And most importantly, if you do your research (it is very important to do the research) and decide to pursue homemade dog food, monitor your dog for his reaction to his new diet to make sure it is providing what is needed. Observe your dog for stomach upsets and changes in behavior or appetite. Make sure your dog is alert and active, with a shiny coat, sparkling eyes and a lot of energy.

The reason I have not provided any recipes is because what is good for my 2 westies and my corgi, my not be what your dog needs. I know it sounds like a lot of work to provide the nutrition your dog needs, but your dog will benefit from your efforts and so will you.