It is really important to read labels and pay attention to the nutrition information in dog food. Dogs are carnivores, which mean their diet should be made up mainly of meats. The basic percentages of dietary needs for dogs to ensure they get the nutrition they require is 60% meat, 40% fruits and vegetables. Some holistic recipes claim that grains are safe for dogs because a lot of the animals dogs eat in their natural diets have grains in their bellies. However, grains are probably the most common allergen for dogs. Also, most commercial dog foods, especially the cheaper ones, contain grains as the first ingredient.
There are many commercial dog foods that, when you read the labels, you will notice that they contain bone/meat meal and no actual real meat. A lot of times commercial dog foods will contain meat by-products such as hooves, eyes, beaks, skin, fur, feathers and other items that you really wouldn’t want in your dog’s belly. Dog food nutrition is really important. Making sure your dog has a well balanced diet makes sure your dog will stay healthy, strong and live well. Avoiding meat by-products, corn products, grains, animal fats and bone meal in food you feed your dog.
Making your own dog food gives you the control to ensure your dog gets the nutrition in food that he/she needs to stay healthy. It is easy to make your own dog food. You can make sure to give your dog the balanced diet he/she needs. Most of the recipes for homemade dog foods can be made using common household items that you probably already have in your home. Make sure to avoid food items that are harmful to all pets such as onions, caffeine, chocolate, grapes and bones. All homemade dog food recipes are nutritious for your dog.
They are generally much better than any commercial dog food nutrition. You can even make nutritious dog foods in bulk and freeze them in individual serving size containers for later use. Most of the time, dogs can enjoy the same meals you make for you and your family, as long as they are considerate of the needs of dog food nutrition. Also, make sure that no allergy items are included if your dog is known to have allergies or intolerance to any food items.