Pets Guide

Holistic Dog Food Choices

Some dog owners have concerns about the quality of the ingredients of commercial dog food. Holistic dog food is a healthier alternative to many commercial dog foods. Holistic dog food is dog food, either manufactured or homemade, that contains only natural ingredients.

Dog food manufacturers that make dog food with only natural, high-quality ingredients sometimes promote the dog food as holistic dog food. The quality of the ingredients is a common claim that differentiates the holistic dog food from the most popular commercial dog foods.

Though animal byproducts are often the animal protein source in commercial dog food, animal byproducts are not usually included in holistic dog food. Animal byproducts are meat pieces that are not suitable for human consumption. Some holistic dog foods use only human-grade ingredients. Holistic dog food may have vitamins, minerals, and anti-oxidants added.

Holistic dog food recipes blend natural ingredients. Natural dog food recipes can be found on the Internet. The dog owner needs to make sure that the recipes do not contain any foods that can be toxic to dogs including garlic, avocado, onions, chocolate, and grapes.

One basic dog food recipe for meat and brown rice dinner allows the dog owner to include ingredients that are available. The recipe includes four basic ingredients of one and a half cups of brown rice, half a cup of cubed meat, two teaspoons vegetable oil, and one-fourth to one-half cooked vegetables.

The meat can be beef, chicken, turkey, veal, ham, or liver. Ground beef or ground turkey can be used if cooked thoroughly. The meat should be cooked in the vegetable oil until well done.

Cooked diced potatoes, carrots, celery, cabbage, broccoli, or other dog-safe vegetables can be used alone or in combination for this recipe. One half cup of plain yogurt may be added to this homemade dog food. The homemade dog food should be blended and cooled before giving it to the dog.

The dog owner should avoid using the same ingredients for this recipe. The dog’s homemade dog food diet should include variety to ensure the dog is receiving a variety of vitamins and minerals. Liver and other ingredients of homemade dog food should not be given daily, but in moderation as part of the dog’s diet.