Why Look for Dog Food
Alternatives?
A lot of information came out of the investigation connected
to the 2007 dog food recall, and most of it wasn't good. In addition to
identifying the contaminated food sources responsible for the illness, and in
some cases death, of a number of dogs, other manufacturing practices came to
light.
We learned that although all commercially sold dog foods
must meet a set of government standards before they can be labeled "100%
nutritionally complete", it doesn't guarantee that the food sources used
are digestible enough for your dog to render "complete" nutrition
from the mix. We also learned that some of the inexpensive chemical
preservatives used in these foods may cause cancer and certainly hold no
nutritional value for our pets.
Finally, we learned that the term "fresh" holds
minimal value when foods are manufactured and left to sit in warehouses for
months before they ever hit store shelves.
Raw vs. Cooked
Many dog owners might agree that home made dog foods should
be safer to feed than many commercial mixes containing chemical preservatives
and other questionably healthy ingredients. However, they do seem to differ in
opinions about the best feeding programs.
Raw Meat
Some owners are strong advocates of the BARF diet, a feeding
program that serves dog bones and raw foods. These owners believe that feeding
foods in their raw, natural state most closely mirrors the way nature designed
dogs to eat in the wild.
On the other side of the coin, some owners are leery of
feeding raw meat because of the health hazard it potentially presents. It's
true that raw meats can harbor dangerous bacteria called salmonella, but this
can be eliminated by cooking the meat to an internal temperature of 160 degrees
Fahrenheit.
However, you could argue that dogs that eat raw meat in the
wild are regularly exposed to a number of bacteria, and they do survive. This
may be evidence that the flora in a dog's digestive track is designed to deal
with salmonella far more efficiently than the human digestive tract.
Bones
Bones, particularly chicken bones, are another point of
contention. It's true that bones can present a potential hazard, whether it is
from choking or intestinal blocks/punctures. However, raw chicken bones retain
some flexibility and are easier for dogs to chew and digest.
It's the cooked bones that become brittle and pose the
greatest risk for intestinal punctures. In the end, feeding bones in any form
is a decision that rests solely with every owner, and bones need not be the
only source of calcium and other minerals in home made dog food.
Fruits and Vegetables
Although of considerably less concern than serving raw meat,
fruits and vegetables also pose a small threat of bacterial contamination. This
can easily be dealt with by washing the produce before chopping and adding it
to your recipe.
Nutritional Balance
The most important thing to consider when making home made
meals for your pet is that they provide rounded nutrition. Without a decent
balance of protein, vitamins, minerals and fatty acids, your dog could suffer
from malnutrition, regardless of how much food he eats.
The following list offers some food choices to cover your
dog's basic nutritional needs:
Protein: Fresh
chicken, beef, turkey, lamb or cooked salmon
Fiber, vitamins
and minerals: Carrots, green beans, spinach
Essential fatty
acids: Leafy greens, cooked salmon, flax seeds
Calcium: Cottage
cheese, plain yogurt
Carbohydrates:
Brown rice, barley
Vitamins and
antioxidants: Apples (without the seeds), blueberries
Pick one item from each group to include at every meal.
You'll also want to rotate your choices so your dog doesn't become bored eating
the same food.
Foods to Avoid
Certain common foods should never be fed to your dog because
they can cause reactions ranging from mild discomfort to cardiac arrest.
Foods you shouldn't feed include:
Chocolate
Onions
Raw garlic
Grapes
Raisins
Macadamia nuts
Avocados
Apple seeds
Wild mushrooms
Raw, green
potatoes
Nutmeg
Added salt
Recipe
Cooking for your dog is as easy as preparing a meal for your
family. However, you might like to try this terrific home made dog food recipe
for "Little Man's Loaf" from our own "Two Minute Dog
Advice" columnist Wendy Nan Rees. It's so good you might want to pull up a
bowl next to your dog!
Conclusion
So, does making your pet a home made dinner sound appealing
to you? Then the first thing you'll want to do is consult with your vet to make
sure your dog is currently in good health. If your vet gives your dog the
thumb's up, then you can begin to cook for your pet in small amounts, gradually
weaning him off commercial kibble. Keep an eye on him for any major signs that
the new food is not agreeing with him, and call your vet right away if you
think your dog needs attention.
