Whether for health, financial or simply reasons of taste, many pet owners have turned to preparing Fido and Fifi's meals themselves. Here's where to start.

There are a myriad of reasons to prepare your pets food, from financial (lets face it - pet food is downright pricey) to health and even just plain ol' Love (would you want to eat hard, dry kibbles from a bag? I didn't think so). Always consult with your vet first before starting your pet on a homemade diet for specific nutritional recommendations.

Here are a few basic tips to get you started.

1- Always Cook - Never Raw

Raw foods can harbor a variety of dangerous bacteria and pathogens. As well, raw oats and rice will expand in your pet’s stomach after digestion. Always cook your pet’s food as thoroughly as you would cook your own.

2- Following the Food Pyramid is a Good Guideline

Cook for your pet with the same care that you would take for a small child. White sugar, refined flour and transfats have no place in their diet, and care should be taken to include a variety of foods.

3 - Introduce New Foods Gradually

A pets' digestion can be temperamental, so you'll want to introduce new foods slowly and take note of any adverse reaction such as runny or watery stools or changes in behaviour. Although most human food is safe for pets, you'll want to experiment around in order to find what your pet likes as well as what they can tolerate.

4- NEVER Feed Your Dog the Following:

Chocolate, Onions, Fruit Pits, Chicken Bones, Grapes, Avocado, Raisins and Macadamia Nuts. Each of these foods are considered dangerous to dogs for varying reasons and should never be on his plate.

5- Brown Rice Is Your Friend

When you are first incorporating human foods into your pet’s diet, and particularly meats, a good rule of thumb is to combine equal parts of the food with brown rice. Why? Brown rice aids digestion and can dilute the richness of meats which can upset your pets tummy. It also provides nutrients and grain as a counterbalance, and most pets love it. Rolled Oats and Barley are also good additions.

6- Nix the Sugars, Salts and Other Spices

Pet palates are not nearly as sophisticated as human ones, and excessive amounts of salts and sugars are no more healthier for them than they are for you. Treat a pet as you would your baby. Nothing in excess, and err on the side of omission when in doubt.

7- Crushed Eggshell Is A Wonderful Source of Calcium

Being careful to grind it to a fine powder, all of those eggshells that you normally toss out can be put to great use. Grind in the blender on the highest setting until it is literally pulverized, and then mix it in small amounts.

Approximately 1/2 an eggshell to a meal is a good rule of thumb.

8- Yogurt is Your Other Friend

The lactobacillus (acidophilus) in Yogurt makes it a much easier dairy for your pet to process (many animals are simply lactose intolerant), and provides healthy bacteria which will greatly assist your pet's digestive process. Most stores sell the plain kind, which can be mixed in with various other foods to provide them with a great source of calcium that they'll enjoy.

9- Say Yes to Vegetables!

Most animals love the taste of vegetables. Cook as you normally would and mash in a food processor. Mix with meats, cottage cheese or even hard boiled eggs for a super-nutritious pet feast.

10- Always Add the Love

Energy is transferred between all living creatures and everything that we come into contact with. It's only one reason why Mom's food always tasted so much better than anyone else’s! Always prepare your pets meals with Love and tenderness as you would your own children.

Of course, that's likely redundant - you wouldn't be here reading this if you did not utterly love your pet in the first place, would you?