Alternative Food Choice for Your Dog

HOME COOKED DIETS FOR DOGS

As most pet owners are aware, many commercial pet foods were recently contaminated by a toxic substance resulting in the death of many pets.  This substance, melamine, was introduced in many diets in the United States through contaminated grain byproducts imported from China.  As an alternative to store bought diets, many owners have elected to cook for their pets.

Human health professionals have stressed the importance of freshly cooked foods for people for many years.  People who eat fresh vegetables and grains are more likely to enjoy better health than those who eat highly processed or “fast” foods.  Many veterinarians have shared a similar opinion for our canine patients.  We have wanted to provide the same freshly prepared foods for our dogs but were uncertain of how we could safely cook for them.  Every day we have more up to date information about how to better feed our canine companions.  Their needs are similar but somewhat different than their human family members.  For instance dogs require a higher level of animal protein in their diet than do humans.  Dogs are less able to digest uncooked vegetables due to a shorter intestinal tract.  If we elect to cook for our pets, it is important to be educated on what will help keep them healthy and happy.

Dr. Roger Clemmons, a professor at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine has designed a home cooked diet for dogs that is 100% balanced and meets all the needs of a healthy dog.  This diet is available to all of our clients here at the Animal Hospital of Dunedin.

When making any diet change in our pets, it is important to proceed slowly.  Introducing a new diet should be a gradual event taking 7-10 days.  In some pets we may not be able to make the change to cooked food without the help of your veterinarian.  For most of our dogs we simply decrease the old food by a small volume and introduce the same volume of the new food.  If we add the new diet too quickly we may induce some diarrhea.  If that happens, decrease the amount of cooked food to the last portion tolerated and give us a call here at the hospital.
THIS DIET IS NOT FOR EVERYONE!   If your pet is presently on a prescription diet from one of our veterinarians it would be unwise to change foods without consulting them.  Please follow the recommendations of your doctor before implementing this change.

Here at the Animal Hospital of Dunedin we are devoted to caring for your pet with the best tools and information available.  We hope that the introduction of some sound choices for home cooking serve to further improve or maintain your pets health. 

Sincerely,
Gregory Todd D.V.M.
Executive Director

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