Natural Dog Health Food
The Natural Food Dog
More and more dog owners have realised that there are many alternatives to buying commercially prepared dog foods. They are taking the time to investigate how to provide their pet with natural dog health food, as a way of keeping him healthy and full of life.
Following the pet food recalls in the US, it was revealed just what ingredients some rendering plants are sending to dog food manufacturers. Pet lovers were justifiably horrified to learn that euthanized pets were included in the list, along with hide, feet, hooves, beaks, feathers and blood.
These ingredients are then bulked up with fillers, usually grains, which are difficult for dogs to digest, and lack the vitamins and minerals needed by healthy dogs.
By preparing their own natural dog health food, owners believe they are giving their much-loved pet the best possible diet. And provided they consult with their veterinarian regarding the composition of the diet, they are probably correct. The vet will advise on the right ratio of meat protein, vegetables and carbohydrates, for your particular dog. They are also the best people to advise if any supplements are needed by your pet for any health issues it may have.
Fresh vegetables are key ingredients in a natural dog health food diet, and should comprise 25% of each meal, as they provide antioxidants and vitamins. Garlic is great to add as well because dogs love it, and it is excellent for keeping fleas at bay.
The most popular carbohydrates are potatoes and rice.
Choose fresh lean meat as the basic protein source for your dogs new diet. Just about any meat will do – beef, lamb, chicken, turkey or fish. Port is perhaps best avoided as it can contain parasites that attach to the dogs intestinal walls.
A dramatic change in your dog’s diet to natural dog health food is a big change, so don’t be surprised if he resists initially. Many people find it easier gradually introduce the new food with food that the dog is used to, increasing the ratio day by day.
It is a good idea to cook up the dog’s food in bulk and sore it in meal-sized portions in the refrigerator, or the freezer if a large quantity has been prepared.
Pet owners report that having full knowledge of what their dog is eating helps them manage conditions like overweight much better, and they believe their dogs coats are shinier, they have less allergies and they are more alert.
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Easy Natural Dog Food Recipe
Preparing your own dog food at home is great for you and your dog. You don’t have to haul all of that dog food from the supermarket and your dog will benefit from a healthier diet. But what should be the ingredients in a natural dog food recipe?
The best way to determine what is right for your dog is to initially consult with your veterinarian. He or she will advise you on the correct proportion of meat, carbohydrates and vegetables, how many times a day to feed your dog – depending on its age and health issues, and what supplements may be required for your dog’s particular needs.
By simple virtue of the fact that they are massed produced, there is just no way commercial dog foods can compete with a diet designed specifically for your dog.
A natural dog food recipe will contain fresh meat, fresh or frozen vegetables and carbohydrates. It will not contain the fillers, feathers, beaks, hooves and other dubious extras that commercial products can contain. Nor will it contain artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
The proportion of meat, carbohydrate and protein will vary, but as a rule of thumb it will be 40/30/30 or 50/25/25.
Any type of lean mean is acceptable, whether it be beef, chicken, turkey or fish, and once you find one that your dog likes, there is no need to vary it. Buying what is seasonal or on special is the most economical way to go.
Most people who prepare from a natural dog food recipe will buy and cook in bulk and then freeze the mixture in meal size portions. Flatten out the portions so that they store better, taking up less room in the refrigerator or freezer.
For a large dog, your recipe would look something like this – substitute the type of meat preferred and what vegetables in season, but maintain the type, e.g. only substitute green vegetables with other green vegetables.
6 pounds of lean beef
4 cups of uncooked rice
3 cups of carrot
2 cups of chopped broccoli
2 cups of chopped celery
3 cups of rye
10 ounces of spinach or bok choy
80 ounces of beef stock
80 ounces of water
Simmer the beef, stock, and water for 20 minutes. Remove the beef, and add rye to the liquid. Simmer for approximately 40 minutes before adding the rice and simmering for a further 15 minutes. Combine all the ingredients, including the vegetables, and mix well. The heat from the mixture will soften the vegetables.
If your dog is reluctant to eat his new meals, try adding a little to his regular food and increase the amount you add until he is taking the full natural dog food recipe.
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Dog Litter Box Training
In the past most people thought that it was not possible to litter train a dog, however owners of small dogs around the world are proving that it is.
Originally people who were litter training a dog were using the largest cat litter box they could find, but now there are several companies, Purina for one, who have introduced dog litter boxes onto the market. This is a great asset for people who have small dogs in apartments, or for dog owners with disabilities that prevent them from taking their pets outside ‘to go’.
Being litter trained also makes it easier to take the dog travelling. People you visit will be pleased that they won’t be left with any mess to clean up.
If using a cat litter box, you will need to cut off the top and smooth the cut edges with a file. The filler for the litter box is a matter of choice. Owners can choose commercially produced dog or cat litter, shredded newspaper, or newspaper that has been compounded into pellets.
Whichever filler you choose, it is good to have an easily accessible container for it, and a large scoop to dispense it.
The two best methods to use in litter training a dog are newspaper to litter box, and a type of “crate training”. It is most important though to first get your dog used to the litter box being in his life. It should be in his life from the beginning if possible, initially sitting on some newspaper – just in case. A small amount of litter should be in the box, with some newspaper over it. Gradually increase the amount of litter, and decrease and eventually remove the newspaper.
A good idea is to soak a piece of the newspaper in his urine before putting it in the litter box, so the dog registers it as a somewhere he has gone before.
It is always best to designate the area to be used for the litter box, and close the doors or block off in other ways, access to other rooms. For the first few days you will need to watch him carefully, ensuring there is nowhere for him to go out of your sight. If for whatever reason you cannot be with him, he should be secured in his litter room or crate.
Pay attention to the signs that dogs make before elimination – sniffing, searching, whining. When you notice these signs, put the dog in the litter box and use a phrase that will be repeated at this time, e.g. “use the box”. If the dog gets out, let him walk around again, and watch for the signs. Repeat the phrase, put him in the box. When he eventually ‘goes’ lavish praise on him, and reward him with a treat.
Should you catch the dog attempting to eliminate elsewhere, clap your hands and loudly (not yelling) say “no”. The sudden movement will halt the dog’s action and make him bolt. With all other doors closed, he will end up in his litter room. When he gets there, use the phase and put him in the box. Again, reward him when he goes.
Perseverance in litter training a dog will make your relationship with him so much more pleasant and eliminate a lot of cleaning and odors in your home.
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Carolin Shadler’s Blog
