It is often said that dogs are man’s best friend and many times this is closer to the truth than one might expect since dogs are frequently treated as just another member of the family. To keep this family member feeling and looking its best, it is important to provide them with a complete and balanced diet. Proper nutrition is just as critical to your dog’s health as it is to your own. For dogs that means a specific combination of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and water to maintain normal functioning. The best way to ensure you are offering your dog an appropriate diet for him is to use homemade dog food. Commercial pet foods just cannot compete with that.
Concerned pet owners can certainly understand the truth behind that claim with the increasing number of instances where pet food manufacturers have had to recall dog food brands. This is a cause for alarm for many. The result of this has been that some dog owners have chosen to forego buying commercial foods in favor of making the food fed to their dogs. Opting to feed homemade dog food has many benefits, including the ones listed below.
Saving Money
It has been proven that feeding canine homemade dog food rather than commercially prepared food is more cost effective. Many nutrition packed ingredients that go into making food for your dog can be purchased more economically than buying ready made products with identical nutritional value. Additionally, whether buying wet or dry dog food you will still need to buy items like bones and dog treats to satisfy you pet.
Natural Foods
Dog food that is commercially made is often filled with chemical additives and preservatives that are intended to preserve its freshness and keep it edible throughout its shelf life. since homemade dog food is made right at home and will never be stored in large warehouses or transported to numerous stores around the country, it is not necessary to use these chemicals to keep it freshness. That is good news because you will never have to worry about the risk of stomach upsets caused by these chemicals or the risk of contamination posed by them.
Greater and Deeper Sense of Satisfaction
Dog owners truly love their dogs and for that reason watching it grow into a strong, fit member of the family provides a feeling of pride. You will never feel as if you have let your furry friend down. Just as you take pride in preparing delicious, nutritious meals for your family, you can be proud of the food you feed your dog. A deep sense of satisfaction is derived from watching your pet enjoy a meal and then lick the bowl clean. Even greater satisfaction is derived from watching your beloved pet become healthier and need fewer visits to the vet because they are eating home dog food.
Peace of Mind
Your only option, when purchasing commercial dog foods, is to trust what the manufacturer says about their products. It can be a never ending task trying to verify the accuracy of statements of the packaging concerning ingredient quantities and nutritional value. Since you are not present during preparation, there is no way to guarantee that hygienic standards are used. Feeding your dog homemade dog food is the ideal way to reduce the worry over what is in their diet. You have better control over the nutrients in your dog’s food.
As you can see, homemade dog food is an excellent alternative to commercially prepared products. Nevertheless, you must ensure that you are feeding an appropriate diet for your dog. A veterinarian or licensed pet nutritionist is your best source for this information. They will help you determine the best foods and supplements to feed and appropriate quantities.