by Erica Milone

Created on: November 04, 2008   Last Updated: November 17, 2008

Today there is so much confusion behind what we as humans should be eating. Raw food, cooked food, organic, local, dairy free, raw dairy, grain free, whole grains. A lot to think about. Believe it or not, we should be thinking about these same things when it comes to our pets, because if you're anything like me, your pets are part of your family. My 5 year old aussie-lab mix, Sasha sure does know she is more than just a pet from all the love and attention she gets from everyone she meets.

When it comes to feeding our dogs there are some key things to keep in mind. The size of the dog, the activity level of your dog, their general health or preexisting medical conditions, overall personality of your dog, and finally their food preferences (you may find they enjoy or dislike certain foods more than others, and there may be good reason for this). Also keep in mind, when changing your dogs diet, be sure to consult with your Veterinarian (or find a holistic vet at www.holisticvetlist.com ) to assist you for a smooth transition. I have noticed that more health aware folks tend to feed their dogs a certain way, one thing in common, no kibble or chemical ridden bits in these homes. The first step away from the traditional dry dog food would be an easy switch to an Organic dry (or canned) dog food (ask your local small pet shop what their favorites are and why). These come in many varieties including grain-free formulas. Some experts believe that dogs should be raised on a diet consistent of that what they ate in the wild, like their wolf cousins, which excludes any grains. Some dogs also have a sensitivity to grains, just like people sensitive to wheat, so these varieties are excellent for them. Always when purchasing commercially produced foods, be sure to look at the ingredients and make sure that in the top 5, are animal proteins and whole foods (NO animal by-products). The next step away from commercial dog foods would be home prepared meals (easier than it sounds). Then there comes the question, Raw or Cooked? I personally use a combination of both, since both have great nutritional values that improve the health of our dogs. That brings us to the importance of the quality of our ingredients at home. I prefer to use only organic ingredients for Sasha's food (as well as my own), this eliminates the chance of her getting unnecessary hormones or antibiotics from the meats and harmful chemicals from her fruits and veggies. If you choose to home prepare your dog food

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>