Holistic Diets for Dogs

Common pet foods might leave you and your dog feeling less than satisfied. Choosing a holistic home-prepared diet that considers the needs of your entire dog as well as the source of the food you feed him might be the solution you are looking for. A home-prepared diet isn't as complicated as it might sound, and there are even kibble varieties that are superior to the average supermarket choices.

  1. Benefits of Home-Prepared Dog Food

    • Dogs have digestive systems that are designed to eat raw food. It is easier for their bodies to process and absorb the nutrients from a raw diet, and it meets their desire to chew real food. Feeding home-prepared raw food also keeps your dog's teeth clean because it properly exercises their mouth and jaw muscles and provides calcium and phosphorus. By feeding a home-prepared diet you control where your dog's food comes from and you can choose natural hormone-free sources. This diet also improves hot spots, excessive shedding, gum and mouth disease, allergies, immune disorders, degenerative diseases, and gastrointestinal problems.

    The Holistic Dog Diet

    • A total balanced diet for a dog should consist of 25 percent protein from raw meat, 25 percent vegetables and 50 percent grains. The vegetables and grains mimic what your dog would normally consume from the stomachs of the animals he would hunt in the wild. Serve Brussels sprouts, broccoli, carrots, zucchini, yellow squash, or cauliflower either whole or chopped, raw or cooked, depending on your dog's preference. Steam or boil whole grains like brown rice, oats, barley, corn, amaranth, or millet. Organic and fresh meat is the safest choice for your dog, though if you are nervous about feeding him raw meat you can lightly cook it. A healthy dog's digestive system has enzymes to kill any potential bacteria. Some owners choose to feed a mixture of both home-prepared and store-purchased food. Do what works for you and your family.

    Kibble Food

    • Choose a kibble food for your dog carefully. Read the nutrition label thoroughly. The first three ingredients on the nutrition label typically comprise the bulk of the food. One of the first three ingredients should be a meat source, preferably not a by-product or meal, but simply chicken, beef, or venison. Find a dog food brand that uses human-grade ingredients. Avoid kibble that contains artificial coloring, flavoring, and preservatives. For the greatest nutritional value, the grain source should also be whole and not a by-product or meal.