Choosing the Right Diet for Your Dog

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The debate on whether or not your pet is better off on a homemade diet is an ongoing one. Without a doubt, feeding a commercially prepared diet is more convenient and more economical. Feeding a homemade diet can be very effective but can also be fraught with difficulties. For example, you must be sure that the diet that you prepare contains the proper amount and balance of all nutrients, that the ingredients are easily digested, absorbed, and utilized by the pet, and that it is palatable. You must make sure that the nutrients are not altered or destroyed in any way during processing and storage. You must also ensure that no contamination of the food occurs before, during, or after food preparation. Finally, vitamins and minerals must be supplied in the proper ratio to ensure good health. Commercial pet foods are routinely tested for nutritional composition, something most pet owners are unable to do on their own.

Problems can and do occur if raw foods are fed. For example, meats should not be fed raw because of the danger of transmitting parasites (e.g. toxoplasmosis) and harmful bacteria (e.g. Salmonella, E.coli, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, etc.). In addition, studies show that most dogs and cats prefer cooked meat.

Here are some general guidelines for feeding your dogs different foods that can be found around the house.

• Meat - As a rule you should avoid feeding raw meat because of the danger of transmitting parasites and bacteria such as E.coli and Salmonella. Excess supplementation with meat can lead to an imbalance of calcium/phosphorous and may provide excess protein that can be harmful to pets with impaired kidney function.
• Milk - There is no harm in feeding milk, but it is unnecessary. In some lactose-intolerant pets, milk may cause diarrhea. Some pets may be allergic to milk.
• Eggs - If fed, eggs should be cooked and not raw. Raw egg whites contains avidin, which destroys the vitamin biotin. However, egg yolks help offset this due to its high biotin content.
• Fish - Bones should be removed prior to feeding to prevent choking. Cook fish to avoid parasites and to destroy thiaminase, an enzyme found in some fish (carp, smelt, catfish, and herring) that destroys thiamin (vitamin B1).
• Liver - Liver is most nutritious when fed raw (especially to sick, anemic, or weak pets). However, excess liver may cause calcium deficiency, vitamin A toxicity, and/or diarrhoea.
• Fats/oils - Fats are a good source of energy. However, over-supplementation can cause obesity. Supplementing the diet with extra fat may result in a decreased food intake, which in turn can lead to a nutritional deficiency.
• Bones - Bones should not be fed. Small bones can splinter and become lodged in the mouth, throat, or GI-tract. Bones can also lead to diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, and intestinal obstructions and punctures.
• Table scraps - Table scraps are usually high in fat and carbohydrates, and low in calcium and protein. This leads to an imbalanced diet. Table scraps can cause vomiting, diarrhea, pancreatitis, fussy appetite, begging at the table and obesity.
• Onions/garlic - Onions and garlic have no effect on worms or fleas. Excessive onion ingestion can cause haemolytic anaemia (fever, dark urine, death).
• Chocolate - Contains theobromine, which is toxic to pets. A Potentially lethal dose for a 22 lb dog: 2.2 oz of unsweetened chocolate, or 1.5 lb of milk chocolate
• Candy - Due to the high caloric density, feeding candy may keep pets from eating properly. They can also cause obesity and dental caries.

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Source: Canadian Veterinary Medical Association