Powered by Mom Blog talks Pets and Nutrition
A pet owner should know that a well-balanced diet is important in maintaining the overall health of your pet. Just like humans, a pet needs to have a well-balanced diet that contains natural whole foods that is also rich in vitamins, minerals, supplements, and of course, flavor.
Proper nutrition will promote good health, prevent or reduce the side effects of disease. Pet owners need to know that each pet is individual as we are, and for that reason what Fido may like, Prince might not or benefit from for that matter.
Specifically speaking about the nutritional needs of dogs, they are carnivores and need a diet that contains a wide variety of meats. Commercially prepared Kibble is commonly given to dogs, primarily because of its convenience. However, it is more cost-effective and contains some all of the nutritional components that will benefit your pet.
Nowadays, pet owners as well as vets are becoming more aware of checking the nutritional components on dried Kibble as opposed to giving the dog the least expensive one. Remember we are what we eat!
Freshness is important. Nutritional values in processed foods are less than fresh food. And although a homemade diet is more beneficial, it is time consuming and expensive. A premium commercial diet of kibble versus a poor diet of homemade food is definitely better for your pet.
If you plan on giving your pet whole foods that you have made for them, make sure that you know all there is to know about whole foods and what is best for your pet. In other words, do lots of research into the matter.
Both dogs and cats are carnivores, their dietary needs are protein-based. Protein cannot be found in grains and both wheat and corn is usually the first thing listed on commercially prepared dry food.
If you plan on making homemade dog food, refrigeration and safe handling measures should be enforced. Use a variety of meats such as beef, chicken, turkey, ham, pork and so on. Remember to add in a little bit of cooked vegetables such as peas and carrots.
Nutritional needs for pets are almost like ours. You need to switch up the menu every so often so that dinner time is enjoyable, tasty, and beneficial to their health. It’s a good reminder for all of us to think about our pets and nutrition, what’s good for them so that we can keep them healthy and happy.
Sue E says
I have never thought about making their foods. I have given my furry friends our leftover stews now and then. I didn’t want to make it a habit, because then they would not eat their regular foods. My finicky cat though wouldn’t even eat the stew at times. (Everybody else liked it and ate it)! I believe in variety. I don’t like eating the same thing everyday, so I know they would not either! I do give them vitamins. My dog’s vitamins are geared to help his hips. This was pin worthy for sure! Thank you for sharing this very important information to keep our furry friends healthy and happy ????
Edna Williams says
I have always made my dog food. Great tips!
Shannon says
I sometimes make my dog treats but I usually add PB to them (biscuits or muffins) and I don’t add sugar.
Marie Patterson says
Thanks for the great info. I have two awesome canine family members, and want to take the best care of them that I can.
Rita Spratlen says
I have 5 animals. I have 3 cats and they get soft food Friskies pate everyday a different can and they always have the dry food available. I have 2 dogs used to be 3. I feed them treats and real chicken breast or steak at times. My bichon is so picky. He will put his nose up to steak at times and then scarf it up. Great ideas. I have joint medicine and more for them. They are our babies!
Holly E says
Great information! We always look at the nutrition content of our pet’s food. It’ important to take care of your pets.
Tammy S says
Thanks for sharing this information. I will be sure to look on the label of the cat food I buy. I want to make sure I am feeding my cats what’s best for them. Just like I do for m y kids.
Tamra Phelps says
Very true! Too many people are clueless about the nutrition/food needs of pets; they just feed them table scraps. My cousin used to feed her little dog pieces of chocolate, unaware that chocolate is very bad for dogs.
Gabby says
Thanks for the interesting read! I think it’s just as important to feed our pets healthy food as it is for us to eat it!
Jeanine says
Lots of things to think about when preparing food for animals just like with people. Thanks for opening our eyes!
Linda Treadwell says
Your article is very good, very helpful and very important. The hardest part bringing up kids with dogs is the kids would throw their food leftover from their pizza or whatever. They would do it without even thinking. The dogs used to get chubby once in a while.
Rebecca Swenor says
Pet owner also need to know what there animals can not eat. Like for example, grapes can be deadly to dogs. Two grapes for a 10lb dog can give them liver failure.
Raye W says
We’ll be on the road soon full time with our furbaby Hootiecat. It will be interesting and quite a challenge making sure her nutritional needs are met. Thank you for this article, it really is important.
CM says
Great article, thanks! More people need to be aware that just feeding your pet any old thing isn’t what’s best for them.
bev kimball says
Thanks for all the great tips for my furbabies nutritional needs!
damien says
nice dog!
kaye newman says
It is very important that your pets get the proper nutrition.
Sharon Siqueiros says
We just switched our puppie’s food when we realized what was “really” in it! Thanks for this informative post
Debbie Welchert says
Great information. We try and give our pets the best food that is good for them. We always make sure with our vet that we are feeding our dogs the right kinds of food.
Dale says
Good reminders!
nicole dz says
I agree! I always make sure my dog has a well-balanced diet. I even make him homemade dog food ans store it properly as I have been doing this for a few years now. Nutrition is so important for humans as is for animals.
Jody Arbogast says
I wish I had known about this before my dog passed away. I made homemade dog food for him and i’m sure it wasn’t that nutritious, but he did live for 16 1/2 yrs.
Marla King says
Great info…..I would love to start making my own dog food.
Candy Kelley says
Good information and things people need to know to raise a healthy happy pet. And knowing that nutrition needs change as a dog matures and that this is important to good health
Gale McCarron says
Great information to know! I’ve always tried to balance out the meals by combining wet and dry, and to give the same amount daily with lots of water.
Shannon says
All great points to remember. My dog loves homemade treats and I can monitor what is in them better than store bought.
Amy Orvin says
I am always looking for good nutritional foods for my furfamily. They are as important as kids and we are.
rochelle haynes says
Thanks for the review nice things to know
TJ Eans says
My furbabies’ food always has meat as the first ingredient and I try to make sure they get a bit of both wet and dry food daily, as it’s good for their digestion to vary their intake. Their food also gets a sprinkling of lysine too, but that’s mostly for the kitty.
Thanks for the article! It’s so great to see responsible pet ownership encouraged in a world filled with stories about people who don’t do right by our furry friends.
Birdiebee says
I take an active part in my daughter’s dog as we share her due to me not being able to have a dog full-time where I live. I get the opportunity to babysit her, take her to the doggie park and take her during the summer to the lake to make sure she stays active. I am also careful to make sure Kyla gets the proper nutrition and gets a balanced diet. Thanks for the great article!
Deb P says
When my cats got older I had to buy them the Mature cat food for older cats . They seem to like it.
Lula Ruger says
very infooormative thank you and thanks for all the pet posts i think you must help alot of puppies
loucheryl says
I love my cats and it’s so important to me to feed them good quality pet food.
Kirsten Lew says
Great article Michelle! I’ve been feeding both Kenny and Rachel only grain-free, soy-free food for years now. I’m convinced it’s why they are so healthy! When I first adopted Rachel, I didn’t know any better and gave her sub-standard food – and man, when she passed gas, oh my gosh!!! Stinky!!! When I switched her off of grains, no more gas, at least not that I’ve been able to smell 🙂
Powered by Mom says
thanks for sharing Kirsten nutrition really does make a difference. If it does for us fo course it willl for our pets
Jeri E. says
There are some great tips in here! I know quite a few people who have pets, but they’re not very careful with them when it comes to their diets, including what and how much they eat. Thank you for passing this information along!
lana simanovicki says
i just got a new puppy this is awsome info for me
Darlene O'Brien says
Thanks for this interesting article!
nancyfancypink says
Thanks for this post- it is easy to forget that pets need to be taken care of with good nutrition and fresh food.