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Natural Dog Food: Your Pet's Diet Is As Important As Yours

by Melinda Smith

Dog owners today have become more wary about the type of dog food they feed their beloved pets, after recent contaminated dog food scares. For many, natural dog foods have become the products of choice, not only for their safe, healthy ingredients, but because they are just as easy as traditional commercial products.

The best natural dog food is made from a quality meat source as dogs require high amounts of protein in their diets. The best place to get your meat is from a local butcher or meat processor as the meat they sell will be fresher. You may also be able to benefit from buying in bulk at these suppliers and they can grind the meat for you.

Good choices for natural dog food include beef that is lean, stew meats, boneless steaks and roasts, and organs such as heart or liver. Lamb is another good meat and boneless stewing lamb, shanks, legs, or butts are good cuts to use. With chicken, select boneless skinless breast, fillets and thighs. All these meats are wonderful for natural dog food.

Some vegetables should be selected to add. Cucumber, zucchini, carrots, pumpkin, squash, parsnips, yams, beets, sweet potatoes and broccoli are some of the best vegetables for your dog. These vegetables provide the nutrients necessary for your dog. Choosing vegetables that are fresh is also very important.

There are some vegetables, which can cause digestive problems or cause damage to the cells. Some examples of such vegetables that should be avoided are beans, beet greens, spinach, peas, garlic, onions, chard, bell peppers, tomato and potato. You may however, mix the vegetables with the meat.

Your dog`s daily amount of food is calculated based on its weight. To learn how much to feed your dog, you should multiply your dog`s body weight by 0.4. This number will tell you the total number of ounces that your dog should eat in a day. You can give that amount of food in a single big meal or divide it into a morning and dinner meal. The meat and vegetables should be chopped into small enough pieces in order your dog to eat them easily and the meal must be served raw. Many detailed and different recipes about dog`s foods can be found on the internet.

If you want your pet to have food that is higher quality, try Sojos food. The food produced in higher in vitamins and minerals that other prepackaged dog food. The ingredients are food grade and the preparation methods used preserve their nutritional value.

Meat is considered the best natural dog food. Meat protein is required and preferred by dogs. A butcher or meat processor will be able to give you the freshest meat. Other advantages are that you will be able to buy in bulk and get a better price, and you can have it cut in any way your like, or ground, as per your dog's preference. You can make his meal by chopping meat and vegetables up into small chunks and serve it raw, you can find many recipes for dog foods on the internet. If you want your pet to have food that is higher quality, try Sojos food.

Published March 23rd, 2008

Filed in Family