Dog Food & Dog Treats Worthy of Tail Wags

Selecting dog food has many dog owners breaking into a sweat, and for good reason. Unless you have a master's degree in chemistry and the detecting powers of Inspector Clouseau, you don't stand a chance of figuring out the meaning behind those dog food labels. It's no wonder that people are wary when it comes to provinding good dog nutrition.

Are You Dog Food Challenged?

Congratulations! You finally got yourself the dog of your dreams. You've found a veterinarian with great bedside manner: some bonding between doc and patient has already taken place. You bought Sherlock the most comfortable bed you could find, plus a few toys to keep him entertained and to share during downtime.

But there's a nagging question lurking at the back of your mind: are you providing Sherlock the best dog food possible? The last thing you want is for him to end up sick because of poor nutrition. Besides, you wouldn't want Mr S to think he's landed in a second rate hotel now would you?

Commercial Dog Food: A Dog's Breakfast

That dog food was going to be the bane of your existence became painfully clear on your first trip to the pet shop. Who would have thought that canines had their own supermarkets, with a bewildering array of canned and dry dog food, treats, biscuits, greenies, rawhides, chews, and more? Sweet potato and duck treats, or just plain potato and fish: what's a dog owner to do?

Not to mention menus that are enough to make you drool: turkey with sweet potatoes, carrots, green beans and Granny Smith apples, or maybe venison with red jacket new potatoes, carrots, zucchini, sugar peas, and red apples? Granny Smith or red apples, huh, I wonder which he'd prefer? Stocking Sherlock's larder is proving a challenge ...

Being taunted with "premium" brands "only available through your veterinarian" during your first visit to the vet doesn't help any. And to make matters worse, an internet search on the infamous 'Pet Food Recall' is producing boatloads of contradiction.

Well, let me set you straight. Commercial pet food is often lacking in nutrients, but worse, the widely used chemical additives and preservatives could in the long run prove lethal to your pet. That's why it is vital for you to understand how to recognize quality commercial pet food, and which are the brands you can buy with confidence.

Natural Dog Food: Bistro or Sushi for Monsieur?

The debate rages on as to whether Sherlock's natural dog food should be served raw or cooked. Personally, I can't decide which I like best, so let's just agree that variety is the name of the game: so how about sushi one day, and boeuf bourguigon the next?

Raw dog food has it pros and cons. Some people may be concerned about parasites, rightly or wrongly. On the other hand, cooking destroys vital nutrients: cooked beef contains considerably less protein than raw beef. But if you want to play it safe, get ready to cook up a storm! Why not try my famous Ghoulosh or my Grrrrisotto on Sherlock?

Don't Forget the Dog Treats

I love dog treats, and I'll bet Sherlock loves them too. I get all sorts of treats that are good for me. Yesterday, I had broccoli florets, today I tried some pear - I wasn't sure at first, but they're great! Hey, why not spoil Sherlock and bake him a batch of my Pumpkin-Yogurt Treats, or try some of my liver dog treat recipes; he's got to love those!

With the support of an increasing number of veterinarians, more and more pet owners are turning to homemade meals to ensure top quality dog nutrition. At least you know exactly what Sherlock is eating. But if dinner-in-a-flash is the order of the day, arm yourself with my list of 68 commercial dog food ingredients harmful to your pet. There are 28 of those you should avoid at all cost: do you know which they are?