Dogs: Leash or Muzzle?

As a dog owner, I was concerned by the recent dog food scare and started to think about making my own food for Monty, so I knew exactly what was in it.

After hundreds of hours researching dog nutrition and reading through hundreds of recipes, the best is Pamper Your Dog

Monty, our dog, is a cherished part of our family. Making sure he is fed nutritious food is important. Making my own dog food is not only easy and fun; it is also very cost effective! Your dog will love the variety of flavors and you’ll see a big difference in the shine of their coat as well as in their energy level.

Nutrition for Dogs
A healthy dog needs a healthy diet. Proper nutrition is important to several functions of a dog’s body. It is necessary for the growth of the dog, as well as the repair of any body tissue that has sustained damage. Additionally, proper nutrition provides the energy the dog uses to go about his daily living activities. The major nutrients that all dogs need in their diet include carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Dogs require about 75% carbohydrate foods (grains and vegetables) to 25% fats and proteins (meats and supplements). All pet foods should be served at room temperature; don’t serve food cold from the refrigerator or hot from the stove.

As a general rule feed your dogs in these amounts,
• 6 oz/day for 10 lb dog
• 12 oz/day for 20 lb dog
• 18 oz/day for 30 lb dog
• 24 oz/day for 40 lb dog
• 30-36 oz/day for 50-150 lb dog

Because animals are color blind they choose their foods by smell. Most dogs like gamey flavors best. Dogs may eat a variety of vegetables and some dogs even enjoy fruits! Don’t add salt to homemade dog food; the natural salt in the food is enough for a dog’s nutritional needs. It’s a good idea to always add a grain, such as Kibble (recipe on page 13), wheat germ, cooked oatmeal or whole wheat bread to meat dinners.

Feed your puppy two to three times a day. An adult dog needs only one feeding per day. Try to feed your dog at the same time each day.

Always have a dish of water handy for your dog and keep it clean. Change your dog’s water daily.

Know Good Health When You See It
A dog that is fed a well-balanced diet rich in beneficial nutrients shows many recognizable signs of good health.
• Abundant energy
• Brightness, a sparkle in his/her eyes and a sense that s/he is enjoying life
• Healthy coat that is soft and shiny and doesn’t mat easily
• Little or no Doggie odor
• Strong immune system, which keeps him/her healthy
• Well-muscled body
• Well-formed stool that is not voluminous and is easily produced, with no straining

Problems Associated with Low-Quality Diets
Common problems associated with low-quality diets include:
• Dull, greasy coat, usually accompanied by dandruff
• Low energy level
• Skin odor
• Susceptibility to generalized infections, such as ear infections that become chronic or skin infections caused by greasy, seborrheic skin
• Thin, undernourished appearance
• Voluminous stool

Foods that are good for your dog.

DAIRY
• Eggs
• Grated Cheese
• Cottage Cheese
• Plain Yogurt

FRUITS
• Bananas
• Blackberry
• Blueberry
• Cherries (STONE REMOVED)
• Kiwis
• Melons
• Papaya
• Peaches
• Apples
• Bananas
• Oranges

MEATS
• Beef
• Deer
• Chicken
• Fish (DEBONED)
• Ground Beef
• Lamb
• Mutton
• Organ Meats such as heart, kidney and liver
• Rabbit
• Turkey

VEGETABLES Veggies need to either be boiled and mashed or pureed
• Asparagus
• Avocado
• Beets
• Broccoli
• Brussels Sprouts
• Cabbage: Carrots
• Cauliflower
• Celery
• Dandelion Leaves
• Kolrabi
• Kale
• Okra
• Parsley
• Parsnips
• Peas
• Pumpkin
• Rutabagas
• Squash
• Sweet potatoes
• Swiss chard
• Turnips
• Zucchini

SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS
• Canola Oil with vitamin E
• Cod Liver Oil
• Crushed egg shells
• Oyster calcium
• Vitamin C

Use your imagination as you combine items from these lists to make some incredibly tasty and nutritious meals for your dog. Remember to use the supplemental items as they will aid in digestion and make the coat shine!

For more recipes see Pamper Your Dog
dog health