Providing your dog with loving care, a soft place to sleep, and good nutrition is a big responsibility. The food you feed your pet should consider the size, age and breed of your dog as well as any health issues he may have. It should also be palatable, meaning your dog enjoys the taste.

Many veterinary practitioners promote the use of homemade diets for their patients. Homemade diets are often prepared using household leftovers or animal byproducts, and are based on an outdated understanding of nutrient absorption and optimal dietary intakes for dogs and cats. Many of these diets are poorly balanced and can result in nutritional deficiencies or imbalances, especially in young animals and those with medical conditions that have special dietary requirements.  More info

Key Considerations for a Balanced Canine Diet

Proteins are an essential part of a dog’s diet, but some dogs are sensitive to certain proteins. In addition, dogs that are prone to itchy skin and ears may have food allergies. Typically, these food allergies are determined by feeding your pet a therapeutic, homemade diet for a period of time to see if the clinical signs improve (called a food allergy trial). Your primary care veterinarian who practices advanced nutritional health or a board-certified veterinary nutritionist can help you with this process.

Phosphorus is an essential mineral that helps build and maintain bones, cell structure and the enzyme systems that support metabolism and tissue function. It is most readily absorbed from meat tissue, but also is found in eggs, milk products, oil seeds and grains. Deficiency can cause osteoporosis, urinary tract stones and deformities of the skeleton and teeth.