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When once there was only one simple choice when it came to feeding our dogs, we now have a confusing amount of choices. More of us are looking for the best for our dogs. As we become more and more educated about the commercial dog food industry a bigger number of consumers are turning away from the easy choice of grabbing kibble from the grocery store shelf. Recent recalls causing deaths in many of our beloved dogs has brought to the forefront how unhealthy and dangerous these foods really are. Dog food has gone through several stages starting with the pre commercial days when dogs were feed whatever we ate. Dogs ate what we ate at the time before store bought kibble was available, as in leftovers and scraps. People didn’t worry about dog nutrition, or even consider it as something that could increase the pet’s life. With the advent of commercial dog kibble, this new generation of pet owners were told and assured this was the best way to feed your pet. Table scraps were not good for your dog (as we all now know), and this new, important revolutionary way of convenient healthy food was available at the local grocers. This became and still is to a lot of consumers the one and only acceptable way to nourish your dog. Feeding “people food” was drilled into our heads as being so bad for our dogs, that it actually seemed to be a true fact. It was dangerous, fool hardy and deficient in the proper mix of necessary and essential daily dietary intake. With the ease and assurance from the big companies that we were making the best choice for our dogs we all became brainwashed into believing everything we were told. That is until the recently. After the recalls of toxic and tainted dog foods, more and more information became available and this was shocking. An elite few had already started producing highly nutritious, organic or all natural dog food years before. Dog’s health was suddenly the main concern of several small independant dog food companies. There has been a quick increase in choices available for feeding your dog. More and more companies started to manufacture organic dog food, devoid of chemicals, preservatives, deadly additives, and disgusting mystery ingredients. These premium organic dog foods are slowly now becoming the new, easy and extremely nutritious way to feed our pampered dogs. They promote and increase the health of our dogs and are proud of their production processes. One other way of feeding our dogs has now gone back to the “people food” way of thinking. Although this is not the “table scrap” method of feeding. This is a safe and hightly nutritious diet for your dog as long as you research and learn your dogs essential nutritional needs. That is homemade dog food, using the same foods we eat. The only way you will ultimately know what your dog is eating for sure is making the homemade dog food with the proper ingredients that meet your standards. You can easily find excellent nutritious homemade dog food recipes for free on the internet, or through books written by animal nutritionists and vets, that this choice is now becoming mainstream. Educating yourself for the sake of your pet is a small way to pay back all the unconditional love they give you, and in the end you will ultimately have your dog around for many extra years when they receive a proper nutritious and healthier diet

Since the infamous pet food recall in March 2007, dog owners have had their confidence in the commercial pet food industry shaken, and justifiably so. In today’s age of information, you’d think it would be easy to find the best way to feed our canine friends. It’s true there is a lot of information available, but so much of it is contradictory or biased that it becomes more confusing than helpful. I hope that by debunking a few common myths, I can help anyone who is struggling with the question of what to feed their dog.

1. Only commercially prepared dog food offers a “complete and balanced” diet: Surely we have been brainwashed here? The pet food industry is so lucrative for the big-name manufacturers, that they devote a huge budget to marketing, advertising and seductive packaging. If anyone tried to tell a mother that the only way she could feed her children “complete and balanced” nutrition was with a processed, packaged (or canned) food and nothing else, she would be horrified!

How did dogs survive before commercial dog food was available?

2. Dry dog food benefits teeth and gums: Are biscuits good for our kids’ teeth? We are supposed to believe that chewing hard biscuits mimics the effect of chewing raw meat. In reality, stale material lodges around the dog’s teeth, causing plaque buildup.

3. Eating the same food every day is better for my dog’s digestion: While it is true that you should make radical changes to your dog’s diet gradually, a variety of meal ingredients given as part of the regular diet is no more disturbing to our dogs than it is to us.

4. Changing my dog’s diet will cause diarrhea: Commercial dog foods can include a lot of “filler” ingredients, causing production of large stools. Artificial “stool hardeners” in the foods prevent these large stools from also being objectionably loose. If you decide to change your dog to “real” food, make the change slowly, gradually weaning the dog off the “artificial” food over several days. Introduce new foods one at a time.

Your dog’s stools will become smaller and less offensive. They might seem soft initially, but will eventually settle to being soft but formed.

5. Too much fat is bad for dogs: Obesity is now a major human health concern. As humans, we are constantly encouraged to eat less fat. Dogs, however, do not have the same issues with animal fat. In fact, unless your dog is overweight, he actually needs fat in his diet, especially if he is a working dog, or very active. We humans use carbohydrate food (grains, cereals, fruit and vegetables) for energy. The canine digestive system is designed to process meat, bones and fats; dogs need fat for energy.

6. Bones are bad for dogs: Wrong! Cooked bones are bad for dogs. They can splinter and damage the gut. However, managed sensibly, raw bones are beneficial to teeth and gums and provide a relaxing treat. If you are worried about feeding raw bones, use mutton flap or brisket, both of which contain quite soft bones.

7. Milk products are bad for dogs: Some adult dogs can lack the digestive enzyme needed to process lactose. Try your dog with a small volume of milk to see what happens. Milk products such as yoghurt (natural, unsweetened), cottage cheese, and buttermilk are excellent foods for dogs, and good sources of bioavailable calcium.

8. Raw food is dangerous for dogs because of bacterial contamination: When handling raw meat for dogs, we need to practice the same standards of hygiene that we use for our own food. This is more to protect ourselves than to protect our dogs. Dog saliva has an enzyme that destroys pathogenic organisms; canine stomach acid is strong enough to destroy harmful bacteria. Keep a separate chopping board for meat; wash your hands and utensils after preparing your dog’s food; keep leftovers covered and refrigerated; keep raw meat wrapped in the fridge.

9. Raw eggs are bad for dogs: Raw eggs contain a substance that interferes with the absorption of biotin. However, eggs are such a valuable nutrient source that their benefits far outweigh this small disadvantage.

10. Older dogs need less protein: Actually, older dogs need more protein, and better quality protein because as they age, their digestive systems become less efficient. Good quality (animal) protein is more easily utilized and more nutritious for them.

Nothing will ever be as easy as pouring the kibble into a bowl, but with a little planning and organization, feeding real food, homemade from wholesome ingredients, need not be complicated. The joy with which your dog eats, the security that comes from knowing his food is safe, the improved health of your dog, and the saving in veterinary costs can make this small effort very rewarding.

If you would like to know more about choosing how to feed your dog, you can sign up for a free, 7-day ecourse at http://dogfoodmiracle.com/

Your dogs nutrition is critical for leading a long, healthy and happy life. There are so many different types of dog foods available to you that it is sometimes difficult to determine which one is the right one for your dog. Just because a dog food is expensive, does not always mean it is the best food for your dog.

IMPORTANT One thing that is critical to the health of your dog is to know what NEVER to feed him. Some foods that humans can eat can be hazardous or even fatal to dogs. Some of these foods you need to avoid are: alcohol, baby food that contains onion powder, bones from fish, cat food (too high in protein), chocolate, coffee or tea, grapes or raisons, citrus oil extracts, onions, garlic, table scraps, mushrooms and more. Some of these are toxic and could cause death, whereas some will cause less severe health issues, such as diarrhea and vomiting.

There are quite a few more human foods that dogs should not eat. Research any food you plan to hand over to your dog. Trying to satisfy your dogs desires, could be a devastating result. In fact, chocolate is lethal for your dog, especially dark chocolate. The ingredients in chocolate are digested and excreted by a human in as little as three hours, but the same amount of chocolate in a dog can take up to 18 hours to leave a dogs body. Here are some of the symptoms of dog chocolate poisoning: vomiting, excessive urination, hyper, diarrhea, seizure, coma or death.

Read the labels of their dog food. Dogs diets should be rich in meat protein.

If you choose to have canned dog food, look for chicken, turkey meat or pork because they will help keep your dogs coat smooth and healthy. Give the foods that have a high vegetable protein level because these foods are more easily digested and give the dogs energy. They should also receive an adequate amount of carbohydrates, such as rice, corn, oatmeal and wheat.

Dont give your dog a bone! Once bones are gnawed to where they are soft enough to eat, they will feel like splinters inside a dogs throat and this could cause them to choke.

A natural dog food diet is a great way to increase your dogs overall health. People who have tried the natural dog food diet have been very happy with the outcome. They report that their dogs have shinier coats, their eyes are brighter, they have more energy and their breath is better. The idea of a natural dog food diet is to feed your dog quality human food, not just your leftovers. If you do not take care in what type of human food you feed your dog, than instead of making him healthier, you could be leading him down the path of degenerative diseases or diabetes. Many people are beginning to give their dogs more natural dog food diets.

Some people are making the meals right in their kitchen. However, the dog food industry has recognized that owners want to give their babies a variety of healthier foods, so you can find more natural dog food manufacturers on the internet. If you do choose to make your own food, be prepared to spend a little time in the kitchen. Prepare the food ahead of time, so that you are not tempted to give in to their desires of your leftovers. This can happen if you are simply too tired to get up and make your dogs meal after spending all that time making your own meal!

There are many different dog foods available. Be sure you are choosing a dog food that is high in meat protein. Before you prepare any meals for your dog from quality human food, check to be sure that the food is not toxic to your pet.

After feeding your dog his meal, take him on a walk. This will help to ensure a healthy lifestyle for you and your dog. Bring along the pet stroller so that he can have a relaxing ride back from the park after all of the playing. He will likely be ready for a nice long nap in his dog bed after his big meal and playtime!