With all of the unnecessary and unhealthy ingredients that are being put in dog food today, it isn’t a surprise that many dog food products were removed from the shelves in 2007 due to the Menu Foods recall in February of that year.
Due to pet owners’ growing distrust in the dog food production companies, many have begun to make their own dog food from raw ingredients that meet all of their canine’s nutritional needs. Besides, how can one be sure that the dog food they use today won’t be on the recall list a few months from now? The common name for homemade natural dog food is the “raw food diet for dogs.”
The raw diet is not a new trend, though many pet owners think it is. This diet is basically mimicking what your dog would eat if he were out in the wild. Some people have even called it the BARF diet. BARF stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Foods and also for Bones and Raw Food Diet.
When putting together a raw food diet for your dog, it’s important that you understand what your dog’s nutritional needs are and that you are capable of meeting them. This may include committing a bit of extra preparation time each day or week (depending on how often you make the food). You should be prepared to do some research and exercise common sense when preparing your dog’s food. You can find tons of tips in the Dog Food for Life eBook.
So, what foods should be included in the typical raw food diet? The answer is simple: meat and vegetables. Half of each meal should be made up of meat and the other half vegetables. If you can, try and get your meat from a butcher to ensure freshness. Start off with just meat for a few days when you are switching your dog. Once your dog has settled into this you can start adding some bland veggies such as carrots. You should use a blender or food processor for your veggies, as this will make it easier for your dog to digest them.
Don’t be afraid to add raw meaty bones to your homemade dog food. You can use bones from chicken backs, wings, and necks, as well as turkey necks, but be sure that you do not serve your dog cooked bones, as they can splinter inside your dog and cause severe medical issues. Bones are a great way for your dog to exercise both his jaws and the muscles in his upper body.
Good luck with your homemade dog food! You can find out more information about which dog food ingredients should be avoided in store-bought kibble and other helpful information for creating your own dog food and providing hygiene support for your dog by visiting Dog Food for Life Here.
Mail this post
