| With the pet food recall mounting, many pet owners | | | | Macadamia Nuts contain unknown toxin which affects |
| are turning to their kitchen to try to keep their pet safe. | | | | the digestive and nervous system. |
| There are many great books out there containing | | | | Mushrooms can contain toxins which can cause shock |
| recipes for homemade dog foods. Just remember to | | | | and result in death |
| keep a few basic facts in mind when choosing the | | | | Onions and Garlic can cause anemia (many |
| ones that are right for your dog. | | | | homemade recipes contain small amounts of garlic |
| First, a well balanced diet for a dog consists of 40% | | | | which is widely thought to be acceptable for dogs - |
| meat. 30% vegetables, and 30% protein. These are | | | | poisonous for cats however) |
| their needs over time, it does not mean that every | | | | Raw eggs can lead to skin and coat problems |
| recipe that you select contain these proportions. | | | | Raw fish if fed regularly can lead to loss of appetite, |
| Remember to always cook your pets meat. Many | | | | seizures and sometimes death |
| people believe that since dogs killed their prey for | | | | Work your homemade dog food recipes around these |
| thousands of years and ate the meat raw that they | | | | basic facts. |
| should continue to eat their meat raw. What you need | | | | Wendy and Jack Volhald, well known and respected |
| to keep in mind when making this decision is that the | | | | dog trainers, have been making their own homemade |
| dog is no longer killing their prey. We are. And as we | | | | dog foods for over 30 years. In their book, Dog Food |
| are processing it, sometimes it comes into contact with | | | | Secrets( they share some of their recipes for |
| salmonella and other forms of bacteria. So although | | | | homemade dog foods that have enabled their dogs to |
| raw meat sounds like a good idea, there are other | | | | live longer and longer with each generation. According |
| things to consider. | | | | to a National Survey done by the Newfoudland Club |
| Some foods are toxic to dogs. | | | | of America, the normal lifespan of a Newfoundland in |
| Alcoholic Beverages can cause intoxication, coma and | | | | 1998 was 6.2-6.7 years. Using the recipes for |
| sometimes death | | | | homemade dog foods found in their book, Dog Food |
| Bones from Fish and Poultry can obstruct or lacerate | | | | Secrets( their dogs live to be up to 15 years of age. |
| the digestive system, | | | | We all love our pets and want only the best for them. |
| Coffee, Tea or any other form of Caffeine can be | | | | You may feel as though you can't make your own |
| toxic and cause problems with the heart and nervous | | | | recipes for homemade dog foods, there are many |
| system | | | | books out there to help. Just remember, we have |
| Citrus Oil Extracts can cause vomiting | | | | been successfully feeding our children well balanced |
| Grapes and Raisins can cause damage to the kidneys | | | | diets for years and with a little knowledge you can |
| Large Amounts of Liver can cause vitamin A toxicity | | | | feed your best friend too. At least you'll know what |
| (affects muscles and bones) | | | | they are eating. |