Do you really know the ingredients of your dog’s commercial pet food? with the recent pet food recall issues, is it worth risking or shortening your beloved dog’s life to feed him store bought food?

Preparing your dog’s food yourself with a homemade dog food recipe may be the best way to know exactly what ingredients your beloved pet is eating, and may be required if your dog has special dietary needs due to illness (pancreatitis, kidney stones, lower bowel syndrome, etc.), allergies, or injury.

There are many essential ingredients to your dog’s diet, including: Protein, Carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, Fiber, Vitamins, and Minerals.

On the other hand, there are several foods you should never allow your dog to have, including: coffee grounds, grapes or raisins, chocolate, onions, yeast dough, tea, macadamia nuts, alcohol, salt, avocado, garlic, chewing gum, candy, and breath fresheners with Xylitol. There are a couple of schools of thought regarding garlic: some claim that it helps with fleas and ticks, among other things. Consult your veterinarian, do your research, and use your best judgement.

Another tip: when you change your dog’s food, do so gradually. Doing a quick dietary change can wreak havoc on your dog’s digestive system, and no one wants that.

Beware of the propaganda put out by the commercial pet food manufacturers. There are websites devoted to why you should feed your dog commercial food instead of homemade recipes. only you and your veterinarian can truly decide what is best for your dog. do your research, and then make an informed decision. your family and your dog deserve it.

Always consult with your veterinarian prior to making significant changes to your dog’s diet.