Nature never intended for pets to eat dry food resembling compressed sawdust. This convenience is paid for in reduced pet health. Where is it written that your pet's food bowl has to be filled with chalk dry nuggets of quasi-nutritious ground up brown stuff? We've been sold on a bad idea because it makes our lives easier.
With the advent of instant information, and the ease of research on the internet we can easily find out about the practices of the commercial dog food manufacturers. Some of these practices are downright sickening, others just plain dangerous to the health of our pets. Headlines and recalls about food that is tainted and contaminated have become the norm. Commercial dog food certainly does not seem to be the nutritious, healthy diet that we have been led to believe.
Did you know commercial dog food has to be enhanced with sprayed on fat and flavors to cover up the chemical taste, to be even remotely attractive to your pet. Without this palatability modification, I don't think the kibble would ever get eaten.
Sometimes sugar is used in the form of cane, molasses or corn syrup to hook your pet. That way when he/she dives into to food bowl we feel a sense of satisfaction. They love it we think because they can't get enough. This then translates into it must be good for them, but of course it is not. Obviously processed sugars are unnecessary and foreign to animals, and just like us, can cause tooth decay, diabetes, and obesity.
The newest alternative that has become mainstream for our pampered pets is finding all natural, organic dog food, made with fresh human grade ingredients. They are available, and are easy to find if you invest some time to investigate. Alternately, you can make your own healthy pet food. I make mine in bulk and freeze the appropriate meal size portions. Always keep in mind your pets nutritional needs, and check with your vet first.
Dogs need specific amounts of meat, starch, and vegetables daily, as well as vitamins and supplements to maintain optimum health. They need to be slowly changed over to any new diet by slowly introducing the new food, and making sure it is properly tolerated. Any number of recipes are available through the internet, your vet, your local pet store, or even the old fashioned way, by going to the library. Once you have the knowledge you will not want to return to the unhealthy diet that has become the easy way out.
We have been led to believe that giving your dog a variety is bad for them. This is certainly not true. You will get to know which foods are the favorites. Any animal lover who considers their pet a family member, which in today's society has become trendy, will feel much better about giving a healthy nutritious diet to their beloved pet, and extending their pooches life. Ultimately for our own greed as much as anything, this will give us extra years to share with a loved one. If you are a dedicated pet owner and your pets health and happiness are a priority, then you should consider giving him/her a well balanced, nutritious all natural diet, made by your own loving hands.
