Friday, December 23, 2011

Homemade Food for Pets | Pet Health

dog holding carrotsWith the winter holidays coming up, many pet parents are looking for ways to pamper and spoil their dogs and cats. One such favorite is a giving our pets a special meal. Some people choose to do this by making a delicious homemade meal for their pets. However, people do not need to wait for the holidays to spoil their pets with a healthy and tasty meal. In fact, some pet parents prefer to make homemade meals for their pets year round. If you are considering switching from commercial pet food to homemade, be sure to consult your vet first to ensure you give your pet a balanced, nutritious meal.

Over the past decade, pet owners have been more inclined to make their pets? food themselves. Knowing where the ingredients come from is especially important to some. Others simply enjoy taking the time to prepare fresh food for their beloved dog or cat. Additionally, some people even notice improvements in their pet?s health and behavior after switching to a homemade diet.

Responsible pet parents should always be aware of what they are feeding their pets?whether the food is homemade or store bought. Commercial food is quick and easy, but some may have more filler or other questionable ingredients, while others are made with the best ingredients. So, for those who prefer the convenience of commercial pet foods, it is possible to find a high quality food that offers their pet all the necessary nutrition. They just need to be sure that they choose the right pet food for their dog or cat.

When concocting a homemade diet for your dog or cat, it is important that you provide your pet with a well-balanced meal. Generally, a dog?s diet should consist of 1/3 protein, (I.e. eggs, meat or dairy products) and 2/3 grains and vegetables. Cats on the other hand, are more carnivorous and require a diet that is higher in protein. Their diet should be at least ? protein, and ? grains and vegetables. Ultimately, those who choose to make their own pet food need to make sure it meets all their pet?s nutritional requirements. Simply put, it should include a protein source, a carbohydrate source, vitamins and minerals, and even a small amount of fat.

If you choose to use a pet food recipe, confirm that it is acceptable and indeed good for your pet. Do not use a recipe that includes foods that are dangerous or toxic to your pet such as chocolate, candy or anything that has the sweetener Xylitol in it, grapes or raisins, avocados, macadamia nuts, walnuts, mushrooms, mustard seeds, onions or onion powder, chives, garlic (including raw, cooked or powdered), or yeast dough. You should also avoid giving your pet coffee grounds, caffeine, tea, or alcohol. Lastly, you should not give your pet raw or undercooked meat, eggs or bones since these may contain the bacteria Salmonella or E. coli, which is harmful to both humans and pets.

Whether you prefer feeding your pets a commercial food diet, or making the food yourself, as long as your pet is getting proper nutrition, a balanced diet, and a healthy meal, you cannot go wrong.

Source: http://blog.krogerpersonalfinance.com/homemade-food-for-pets/

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