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Many pet owners are scrambling to find alternatives to mass-produced commercial dog food ever since the rash of recalls pulled many tainted pet foods from store shelves. They want to feed their best friend safe, delicious, and healthy high-quality food. And there are some excellent options for the discriminating dog owner.

Did you know you could cook for your dog? Homemade dog food is growing in popularity, because it gives dog owners the opportunity to control what exactly goes into their dog’s meals. Cooking for your dog isn’t something that should be done without a good knowledge of your dog’s nutritional requirements and an understanding of what foods can be dangerous to dogs.

It’s important to provide balance in your dog’s diet, and the general formula for homemade dog food is 40 percent meat, 30 percent vegetables and 30 percent starch. Cook all meat thoroughly, allow it to cool, and grind or cut it in a manner that’s appropriate for your dog’s size. Bones should be carefully removed and discarded.

Cooked brown rice and pasta are popular choices for starch in a dog’s diet. You can rotate the two for variety. When choosing a vegetable, carrots are popular. But try other vegetables and see which ones your dog prefers. Any vegetable you feed your dog should be thoroughly cooked. Also, scrambled eggs can be a nutritious addition to the meal you’re preparing, and one many dogs will enjoy.

Now for the foods that are dangerous to dogs. These are ingredients that should never be used. You may want to keep a list of them on the refrigerator. Onions, chocolate, grapes and raisins, avocados, mushrooms, and macadamia nuts are all hazardous to dogs. When cooking for your dog, make only enough food for three days. That’s the maximum amount of time you can safely store the food in the refrigerator.

If you don’t have the time to cook, the growing popularity of holistic dog food makes it a widely available alternative. It’s a quality dog food that can easily be obtained online, from health food stores, and from a growing number of pet stores. There are many available brands so you’re sure to find one that your dog enjoys.

What should you look for in a holistic dog food? Well, you want to purchase a good quality holistic food that has human-grade, all natural ingredients. Many include Omega 3 and 6 supplements for a full and healthy coat. Holistic dog foods shouldn’t use preservatives, fillers, meat by-products, hormones, antibiotics, or artificial flavors. They should also avoid corn, wheat, or soy filler, which are foods that can be hard on your dog’s digestion.

Now that you know the basics of what to look for in a holistic dog food and how to cook for your dog at home, you can chose which is right for you. In doing so, you will be able to rest easy knowing that you’re feeding a healthy, natural, and tasty diet to your best friend.

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