WHY A NATURAL DOG FOOD RECIPE IS BETTER FOR YOUR BEST FRIEND
Believe it or not, the dogs of our ancestors more than fifty years ago, weren’t fed commercially packaged dog food or kibble but instead thrived on natural dog food recipes. These natural recipes were most often comprised of food straight from the dinner table. No expensive gourmet blends but instead a recipe was made up of some leftover beef, chicken breast and vegetables. These days we are commonly advised that “table scraps” are harmful to our dog’s digestive system, yet, in 2007, with so many dog food recalls, consumers learned that we aren’t always getting the “natural” ingredients that are advertised on the package. In many cases, chemicals, hormones, preservatives, anti-biotic supplements and pesticides boost these natural ingredients. Think about it. Why would feeding your dog the same food that you feed you and your family be harmful? How could something that is essentially the equivalent of doggie fast food be healthier? It’s because the dog food industry has become big business, with thousands of advertising dollars poured into it, and consumers, even some veterinarians, have been fooled into believing the hype.
Compare the canned gunk and bland dried food that you pay entirely too much for to a natural dog food recipe that combines two ounces of shredded boneless pork loin chop (or a beef, chicken and lamb substitute) with four ounces of Tofu, two steamed carrots, two crushed garlic cloves, some broccoli spears, half a steamed green pepper, one cup of cooked spinach, eight ounces of cooked long grain brown rice, about two teaspoons of extra virgin olive oil, a quarter cup of molasses, half a teaspoon of dry mustard and one teaspoon of bone meal. Put this concoction in the oven at approximately 325 degrees for 15 minutes and serve it to your dog. One serving of this natural dog food recipe is equal to a large can of dog food but healthier, all natural and easier to digest.
Here’s a test. Put a bowl of that kibble that you typically feed your dog right next to a plate of this recipe. Which meal do you think your dog will go for? There is a reason that your dog begs and cries at the smell of “people food”. Because our food better replicates the diet that a dog would eat in the wild, more so than the food being manufactured in a factory somewhere.
So many of the vitamins and minerals that humans have learned are healthy for our bodies are also healthy for a dog. In the natural dog food recipe above you likely noticed several peculiar ingredients. Garlic is an anti-inflammatory that may help your dog with arthritis and joint ailments. Garlic combined with fresh Ginger can even replace pricey medications that a veterinarian will often suggest for a dog suffering from an ongoing condition. If you were wondering why the dry mustard was included in the natural dog food recipe above, although used partly for flavoring, dry mustard also improves bowel function and digestion.
So, next time you are scooping up that awful smelling dry doggie food or cracking open a can of dog food, consider how much more your dog would enjoy a natural dog food recipe prepared especially for them… by you!
WHY IT’S TIME TO TURN TO NATURAL DOG FOOD
Feeding your dog natural dog food may prolong the lifespan of your beloved four-legged companion. Cancer has become prevalent in dogs. Dogs were once much more inclined to die as the result of old age rather than cancer. Poor genetic breeding stock, environmental conditions and a diet full of poor protein sources and processed chemicals has changed that.
While genetics and environmental concerns are somewhat out of our hands we can control our dog’s diet and nutrition by feeding them natural food. We are paying more attention to our own diets these days. The world is much more familiar with vitamins and minerals that are essential to maintaining human health. It’s only natural that we start paying more attention to the nutrition of man’s best friend.
You can start by feeding your dog naturally instead of commercially processed grain-based food like kibble. Kibble contains a lot of chemically processed ingredients that are difficult on a dog’s digestive system, stressing their body and leaving them more prone to developing different cancers later in life. You’ll notice manufacturers marketing that kibble contains vitamins and nutrients but these vitamins might be destroyed by intense heat during storage and shipping. Kibble is also marketed as being high in protein for your pup but we’ve recently learned that this protein isn’t always coming from natural sources.
Within the past few years there have been many incidences of dog food recalls. More than 100 brands of pet foods were recalled in 2007. Tainted dog food resulted in making many dogs ill, unfortunately even resulting in the death of a few dogs from kidney failure. The reason? Melamine, a chemical agent used in resin products, was discovered in samples of white granular wheat gluten from China. To make matters all the worse, the manufacturers intentionally added this chemical to increase the protein count! Is there any better case for natural dog food?
Switching to raw food makes perfect sense. Many dog owners, fearful of store bought dog food, have turned to natural dog food comprised primarily of raw meat or mixes of pureed vegetables, brown rice, brown pasta and eggs. Before commercial pet food was heavily marketed and available to the general public, it wasn’t unusual for dogs to eat real people food. Yes, veterinarians in recent years have frowned upon feeding your dog “people food” but think about it. Dogs are hunters and chances are your dog’s ancestors would routinely feast on captured prey or edible plants. Dogs weren’t always fed bland dry or canned food.
By choosing to put your dog on a natural dog food diet, you are giving your dog variety and wholesome ingredients without potentially harmful processed ingredients.
YOU & YOUR HUNTING DOG – BONDING TIME WITH MAN’S BEST FRIEND…
Some dog breeds are quite useful in the role of a hunting dog. Dogs are smart and have a natural hunting instinct that makes them good companions for a hunter.
There are specific breeds that are bred and trained for nothing else but hunting. Dogs like hounds, gundogs and terriers are the most recognized breeds. Many hunters consider a dog just as much of a necessity to their hunting as their shotgun!
When it comes to tracking and chasing down game there is no better hunter than the hound. Sighthounds use their keen eyesight and speed to follow, catch and kill game like deer, gazelle and hare. The Whippet is a popular sighthound used. Scent hounds, like the Basset Hound, are a different type of dog than the sighthound. They are usually slow but possess incredible endurance and a heightened sense of smell that allows them to follow prey for a long distance from their scent alone.
Gundogs are usually specialized in bird hunting. Retrievers can remember exactly where prey fall and return it to the hunter unmarked thanks to the dog’s soft mouth. Labrador and Golden retrievers are the most popular for this purpose. You can get these dogs as a pups with no training, younger dogs with some early fundamental training, or finished Field Trial Dogs who can hunt upland game birds, and compete in local, regional and national field trials.
Pointers and Setters use their bodies to point to the general direction of the prey and sit down when they have pinpointed exactly where the prey is. This gives the hunter a location to fire and score their game just from observing the behavior of the dog.
The Terrier is a well respected and is bred for hunting and killing vermin. This breed is hyperactive with an energetic no fear attitude. Terriers hunt prey like rats, rabbits and foxes, above ground and below ground. Beagles are especially efficient for rabbit hunting.
Just remember that hunting dogs, despite being so smart and useful, still need the attention, love, care and positive reinforcement of any other dog. The more time and training you put into your dog, the more their innate ability to hunt is fostered and cultivated. A good dog is not only there to enhance your game hunting but it’s also there to be a friend and companion as well.