HoundsGood

This post brought to you by homemadedogfood.com. All opinions are 100% mine.

(At left, photo via homemadedogfood.com)

With the wheat gluten scare that happened a few years ago, plus the growing awareness of BPA used in some dog food cans, the idea of Homemade dog food has surfaced more than once at the HoundsGood household. The train was rerailed with a dear doggie I know had a bout of pancreatitis after switching to a home cooked diet.

The most important thing to remember that home cooked doesn't mean table scraps. While the pup's mom was extremely vigilant and thorough on preparing meals, it is difficult to "wing it" and offer complete nutrition if a dog has sensitivities. And its a lot of work.

Recently, I stumbled across a blog dedicated to homemade dog food which presents Easy cooked dog food recipes. The "easy" rated recipe is a simple combination of beef, eggs and white rice. What makes the meal more complete for dogs, according to the site is the supplementation of Dino Vite liquid that contains digestive enzymes and minerals, and an Omega fatty acid supplement. You can find the recipe HERE. There is even a portion chart for different sizes of dogs.

There is a very emotional debate among dog owners on a raw vs dog food diet, and the site gives options of both raw and cooked meals.

The question is: Is any diet truly complete if we have to supplement a healthy young dog, aside from situations where there is a temporary illness or genetic condition?

As with any change, please do not switch your dog to a home cooked diet cold turkey. The author recommends fasting before the switch. Traditionally, many experts advise mixing the old and new foods to gradually switch to prevent stomach upset. Also, consult a dog nutritonist and your vet if your dog has a medical condition. The protein content may not be appropriate for dogs with certain sensitivities or conditions, such as kidney issues.