From March 2007 through September 2008, there have been a number of pet food recalls involving a large number dog food and cat foods. Many pet owners are now opting for homemade pet foods, which provide variety, and additional nutrients to dogs and cats who are fortunate enough to enjoy these natural pet diets.
The Benefits of Avoiding Pet Food Recalls
Some of the recalls involved dog food grains that were tainted with naturally occurring but deadly toxins like aflatoxi. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted investigations into pet food recalls and discovered that other foods were contaminated with potentially deadly melamine, which had contaminated wheat gluten that was imported from China.The limited recall of August 2008 and larger nationwide September 2008 pet food recall involving Pedigree and more than a dozen other brands was a voluntary food recall due to the potential for salmonella contamination.
Dog owners who opt to cook meals at home for their dog or cat do not have to worry about commercial pet food recalls, though there are still other recalls that affect “human foods,” but fortunately, these recalls are well-publicized relative to some dog food recalls.
Dog food recalls aside, pet owners opting to serve a homemade diet of “people food” also provide their pets with the benefit of consuming few, if any, preservatives, artificial colorings and other additives that are typically found in commercial dog food.
“A homemade diet tends to be much better for the dog’s body. A well-balanced homemade dog food diet is easier to digest and higher in nutrients and vitamins,” explained Dr. Michael Levine, DVM, who added, “It’s a huge advantage, the ability to tailor the homemade food to your dog’s precise dietary needs. If your dog needs to gain muscle mass, you can add meats and proteins. If your dog has cancer or a chronic illness, serve foods with antioxidants and lots of nutrients, like vegetables. If there’s a food your dog doesn’t tolerate well or if he has a food allergy, you can simply exclude that item from the dog’s diet."
Cooking Natural Homemade Meals for a Dog
The internet is a rich and valuable resource for pet owners who opt to cook natural homemade dog foods.
Dog owners who are opting to cook food at home for their dog are sure to enjoy HealthyRecipesforPets.com, a website that features a wide array of natural recipes for homemade dog foods, in addition to recipes that accommodate dogs with special dietary or health needs - a major advantage to cooking for a dog at home.
Many of the pet recipes on this website are easy to prepare and cook, even for the novice doggy chef. One of Dr. Levine's homemade pet food favorites is the site's Divine Doggy Dinner - a simple homemade pet meal that features fresh foods and easy preparation.
The Ingredients for a Divine Doggy Dinner
The following ingredients will be required for this homemade dog food, which is easily customized to a specific dog's tastes. The ingredient quantities can also be doubled or tripled to provide extra food that can be frozen for meals later in the week.
- 1/2 pound of ground beef, turkey, chicken, or lamb
- 1/4 cup of cooked rice
- One small potato
- 1/4 cup of green beans
Preparing and Cooking a Homemade Divine Doggy Dinner
- Begin to prepare this homemade dog food dish by cooking the meat, which should be browned in a pan on the stovetop. Once the meat is thoroughly cooked, drain away the fat.
- Next, cook the rice. Substitute wild rice instead for added nutrition. Once cooked, add the rice to the cooked meat and set these ingredients aside.
- Cut the potato and beans into bite sized pieces and place inside a pot of boiling water. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until the potatoes and beans are tender. Once cooked, drain away the excess water.
- Add the potato and beans to the mixture of meat and rice and allow the meal to cool before serving. This recipe will make two medium sized meals.
For an array of natural homemade dog food recipes, including the Divine Doggy Dinner, visit HealthyRecipesforPets.com.
Related Reading
Pet owners may also enjoy Benefits of a Homemade Pet Diet, along with Suite101.com's Pet Food Recall Page with hints for homemade pet food, information on the pet food recalls and more.
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