As a pet owner, I can only imagine how empty life would be without my two dogs in it. They are my “boys” and, without a doubt, they have brought something very special into my life. Their unconditional love and devotion is overwhelming and never more so than when they are well fed and happy. Consequently, I want the very best for my boys, especially when it comes to their food.

If you can look past the colourful mirage of labels on the pet store shelves, the cute cuddly dogs in commercials, and other highly endorsed products in the pet food industry, you will find that many brands of dog foods contain a poor grade protein, fillers that your pet can be highly allergic to, and foods that are high in carbohydrates.

On top of that, the pet food recalls that have amassed over the years have resulted in the withdrawal from the shelves of several popular and trusted food brands that contained salmonella, melamine, and high levels of aflatoxins (just to name a few), all of which are highly detrimental to a dogs health. Fillers, by-products, nonspecific meat sources, and artificial colours, flavours and preservatives are usually found in many brands of commercial dog food. The fillers that are being used are not just tasteless, but can cause digestive problems and dreadful allergies too.

This may all sound pretty grim but, rest assured, there are many extremely excellent dog foods now being manufactured. These conscientious companies aim at providing the best when it comes to nutrition and peace of mind. The internet is a great source for information on tried and trusted dog food brands. If you look up the names of the top 50 dog foods you will find reviews, ratings, and analyses of everything that goes into the food. This online research is time well spent for pet owners, and a chance to become familiar with the ingredients going into commercial brands of pet food to become better informed on which food is best for a pet’s needs.

For my own pets, I decided to err on the side of caution and, after spending numerous hours on intensive research, I made the decision to start cooking homemade meals for my dogs. With all the ingredients bought fresh at the local supermarket, I now know that everything my dogs eat is not only fresh, but is also low in simple carbohydrates and high in real protein, with no added preservatives. In other words, the food is not only highly nutritious and healthy for my boys, I could even eat it myself!

The results have been tremendously encouraging because I have selected ingredients that are very healthy for dogs. I use things like pumpkin, which is high in vitamin A (for resistance to infections), potassium (for good blood pressure), and iron (for healthy blood); and brown rice, an excellent complex carbohydrate that will satisfy hunger with very few calories. I use real beef, as opposed to beef by-products or animal fat, and ingredients such as spinach, egg, yoghurt, coconut oil, liver, chicken, gizzard, lentils, and carrots.

The difference in the dogs’ coat, breath, stool, temperament, activity levels, and weight has been vast, and the last visit to the vet was over two years ago. Home cooked dog food definitely agrees with my dogs.

That said, there are many foods from our table that are not safe for our dog pals. Onions and garlic can lead to anaemia, grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure, while chocolate can cause abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, and seizures. If unsure about which human food can be given to dogs, take a look online, where there are comprehensive lists on several sites.

Dog owners on a budget should consider making natural dog food at home. It may take a little more time and effort, but it is comparable in price to buying the premium organic dog food brands. Just make sure to use a proper nutritionally balanced dog food recipe, which requires some research.

Just like us, dogs thrive on healthy, fresh ingredients that offer vitamins and minerals from a natural and wholesome source, not food that has to be “fortified” with vitamins and minerals because the source is processed to begin with.

Thanks to interest in my home-cooked food spreading, I am now backed with a certificate in canine nutrition from Compass Training and Education (a world leader in animal education) and I cook and deliver dog food all around KL under the brand name “Doggy Bag.”

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Call Sara on 03.7731 3671or find her on face book under “Doggy Bag Malaysia” for more information.

This article was written by Sara Lo for The Expat magazine.
Source: The Expat August 2012
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