Healthy Homemade Dog Food

Many dog owners are frustrated with the low quality of commercial dog foods today. In some cases, these foods are actually making your dog sick. My German Shepherd Dog suffered from diarrhea, ear infections, itchy skin, and poor appetite. That was until I tried feeding him homemade dog food. He's now happier and healthier than he's ever been in his life. Homemade dog food offers healthier ingredients, no animal by-products, better taste, control over special diet ratios like extra fiber, better quality control, and a more natural diet. The trade-off is that it can be time consuming to prepare. Fortunately it is very cost effective when compared to the higher quality commercial dog foods available. You should always talk to your vet about any changes in your dog's diet to ensure that it includes the correct balance of protein, carbohydrates, fat and essential minerals and vitamins.

After some experimentation, I've come up with a method and recipe that works really well. I'm lazy and forgetful so to cook the chicken for the dog food I just take a frozen whole chicken out of the freezer and put it directly into a crock pot and let it cook for the day. Pretty simple. Later I cook up some brown basmati rice or peeled, mashed russet potatoes. I make big batches to last the week. You'll probably want to adjust my amounts for your individual dog since each one eats more or less. But these numbers are a good place to start.

The basic components of a homemade dog food diet are about 50% protein and 50% carbohydrates. A balanced and nutritious diet includes a small amount of fat which will generally be provided by the meat. Your best meat options include chicken, turkey, and pork. Rice or mashed potatoes make up the bulk of the carbohydrate component. A little bit of oatmeal and pumpkin are good sources of fiber. Eggs, no more than 3 a week, are a good source of easily digested protein and healthy fats. Cottage cheese provides some calcium. Calcium is a really important part of a dog's diet so you will need to supplement with a multivitamin. I use and recommend Pet-Tabs Plus. I like to mix a little bit of water in with the food to combine.

I like to use a basic recipe for most meals and then mix it up occasionally with a different meat or switching the carbohydrate portion:

25 lb Dog
3/4 c. chicken/turkey/pork
1/2 c. rice
1 T. oatmeal
1 tsp. pumpkin
1/4 egg
1 tsp. cottage cheese
1 T. water
1/2 multivitamin (Pet-Tabs Plus)
Annual Cost=$240.00

50 lb Dog
1 1/2 c. chicken
1 c. rice
2 T. oatmeal
1 1/2 tsp. pumpkin
1/4 egg
1 1/2 tsp. cottage cheese
2 T. water
1 multivitamin (Pet-Tabs Plus)
Annual Cost=$465.00

75 lb Dog
2 1/4 c. chicken
1 1/2 c. rice
3 T. oatmeal
2 tsp. pumpkin
1/2 egg
2 tsp. cottage cheese
3 T. water
1 multivitamin (Pet-Tabs Plus)
Annual Cost=$688.00

100 lb dog
3 c. chicken
2 c. rice
1/4 c. oatmeal
1 T. pumpkin
1/2 egg
1 T. cottage cheese
1/4 c. water
1 multivitamin (Pet-Tabs Plus)
Annual Cost=$895.50

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Dog Food Secrets Review: Is This Worth You Spending Money On?

Dog food has certainly progressed in recent years with a lot more science behind it all than ever before and this can largely be seen in the various adverts and marketing materials produced by the dog food manufacturers that all claim that their product is the best. The truth of the matter is that there are various dog food secrets that you really should know about and Dog Food Secrets Review written by Andrew Lewis is a book that aims to tell you the truth about what really goes on in the pet food industry. The commercials that you see are very well put together and love to paint a particular picture about the industry, but do they hide the truth about what actually happens? Why should you listen to what Andrew has to say? This review aims to answer those questions.

Why Andrew Lewis Was Prompted Into Checking Out The Industry

By understanding what prompted Andrew into studying the pet food industry it does mean that you will find it easier to take on board the information that appears in the book. The sole event that triggered all of this research was actually the death of his four year old beagle as Andrew then decided to look at what may have contributed to the illness that claimed the life of his dog. During this search he discovered that the apparently healthy dog food was not all that it seems and he had, in essence, poisoned his dog simply by what he fed it.

Clearly this discovery did initially add to his anguish, but it also prompted him into writing Dog Food Secrets as it became his aim to prevent other dog owners from doing the exact same as him and stop them from losing their pet. What his research has done has allowed him to find out what really goes into the production of dog food along with working out what a dog really needs when it comes to nourishment and, as a result, stay healthy and live for longer. The hope is that by reading this information you will be able to help your dog and avoid running into the same problems as he did a few years ago.

What Is In Dog Food Secrets?

Obviously it makes sense to really look at what is in the book to allow you to decide if it is something you would like to buy and as the name suggests its sole subject is to look at dog food. During the book, Andrew looks at the commercial dog food business and uncovers some things about it that will undoubtedly shock dog owners as he spells out the various dangers of feeding them something that the manufacturer would lead you to believe is the best thing you can give your pet. After reading it, you will quite probably want to take action immediately.

As the book tells you about the dangers of commercial dog food, it does also then balance the situation by taking you through an alternative way to feed them without putting their health at risk. The information that is provided in this section does go against everything that commercial companies say as they will state that homemade dog food is bad for them, but it is important to remember that they will say that to entice you into buying their product, but Andrew shows how that is not the case especially when you hear that homemade dog food can help your dog to live up to eight years longer.

Finally, most people will not know how to make this homemade dog food, but you are also provided with a recipe section that offers you step by step instructions on what to do. These recipes will also then show how to make sure that your dog gets all of the nutrition it needs to stay healthy and also how these nutrition values need to change according to their age, their general health, and also how active they are.

What Are The Best Parts Of Dog Food Secrets?

There are a number of real positives connected to this particular book and one of the first positives is that there has been years of research carried out prior to it being written and you can benefit from all of that research just by reading one single book. On top of that, you are taught in easy to understand language all about the bad side of the dog food industry and shown why you really do need to make some changes to what you feed your own pet because you may be actually harming them even though you have been tricked into thinking they will be healthier by eating various brands.

The book does of course help to take you in another direction when it comes to feeding your dog, which includes how to make their food yourself, and it explains in basic terms once again how you cannot only improve their health, but also extend their life and your dog will, in turn, also be a lot happier than before and you can spend more time together and enjoy one another's company. By feeding them the correct food it does also mean that with them being healthier you will save yourself money on veterinary bills and to top it all off the book comes with a 60 day money back guarantee should you purchase it and feel that it is not for you.

Are There Any Negatives With The Book?

In short, no there are no negatives with the book as it is not written to promote certain brands where you could claim it was produced as a marketing tool, but instead it has been written by another dog owner who is just a normal person like the reader. All it does is it looks beyond the marketing that is pushed in front of you and lets you see how you can make the life of your dog a lot better.

The Conclusion

To conclude this Dog Food Secrets review it is important to say that the book is very easy to understand and it is certainly going to open your eyes to what is going on within the dog food industry. The book tells you what is included in the food and how it can be killing your dog rather than improving their health and if you do indeed care about your dog, then Dog Food Secrets written by Andrew Lewis is certainly a book that you do not want to miss out on

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Tips for Selecting the Healthiest Dog Food

What does your canine pet really need to stay healthy and fit? You can achieve wonders with the right dog food. But how do you choose between the many different products available in the market at present? It all comes down to the ingredients and how well they can meet the needs of your pet. Find out what to look for when comparing products.

Energy Boost

Despite the common misconception that canines require protein only, they need a healthy amount of carbohydrates in their dog food. Any product containing around 50% carbs is a good choice for the average pet dog. If your pet is more active because of its breed and lifestyle, you should consider a product with more carbs.

Barley, rice and wheat are all excellent healthy sources of carbs in canine food. You should also look for ingredients which add fibre such as corn, rice hulls and pulp from certain vegetables like beet. Fibre has extremely valuable properties. It improves digestion and ensures regular and proper bowel movements. It makes canines feel full for longer and just like in humans this can help to prevent overeating and weight gain.

Strength and Vitality

Protein is also crucial for the health of any canine. It should form around 35% of the animal's daily food intake. It is the main source of amino acids, which are the building blocks of cells, tissues, organs, muscles and bones.

It is best if you pick dog food which contains sources of lean protein such as chicken, veal and fish. These ingredients are valuable because they are sources of vitamins and minerals like vitamin A, vitamins from the B group, vitamin C, magnesium, iron, calcium and selenium. Other healthy and nutritious sources of protein include eggs and liver.

Proper Vitamin Absorption

It is a myth that fat is bad. It is actually essential for the absorption of important vitamins and minerals in the body of all mammals including dogs and humans. It gives the lustre to the coat of canines and keeps their skin healthy. Furthermore, it gives the dog food flavour which will make your pet love it.

Fat should account for about 15% of the dog's daily nutrient intake. Healthy sources of fat in canine pet food include vegetable oil, soybean oil and fish oil. Poultry fat is also acceptable. It is best to stay away from products which contain other types of animal fat.

Last, but not least, the dog food which you buy should have some moisture in it. This will help for a healthy urinary tract. Of course, your pet should have direct access to fresh water at all times as well.

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Introducing Your Dog to Grain Free Dog Food

When you go to the grocery or pet store to get your dog a bag of dog food, do you know what's inside of it? If you ever take a look at the long list of ingredients, you will find things like corn and gluten. These are fillers because it is what keeps the dog food so cheap.

You don't buy food for yourself with a lot of fillers, so you shouldn't do buy food like that for your dog, either. Grain free dog food can be found - and this allows your dog to eat cleaner. Some of the benefits to eating cleaner include:

• Healthier skin
• Healthier and more vibrant coat
• Better digestive system
• Stronger immune system

When you look at all of these benefits, you may wonder why you didn't introduce your dog to grain free dog food a long time ago. It is available on the market, but you need to know what to look for. Most dog food brands will identify if it is grain free because it is a big deal. It's a selling point and no company is going to hide the fact that there are no grains.

If you look at the dog food that you are giving your dog now, you can find out what grains are inside. There may be soy, gluten, wheat, or corn inside - and possibly all of them. This can add weight to your dog and make it harder to digest. If your dog doesn't seem like his usual self, it may have to do with what you're feeding him.

Here's the good news. You can change all of it around by making the introduction to grain free dog food. The food will be more flavorful and it will be healthier for your dog.

You may want to get a bag and start mixing it with the old food until you have run out of the old food. This ensures you don't waste what you already have in the house. Each time you feed your dog the new stuff, you can add more of it and less of the old stuff. Before you know it, you will be out of the old and giving your dog the new stuff entirely.

Your dog probably won't notice the difference. If your dog does notice, it will be because the flavor is bolder and he will enjoy dinner time with more fervor.

When you decide to make the change to grain free dog food, you do want to make sure you get a formula that is good for your dog. If your dog is a puppy or a senior, there are formulas that can help with energy levels or even with joint pain. If your dog is an outdoor dog that leads an active lifestyle..

Take the time to introduce your dog to something tastier and healthier - and your dog will love you for it.

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