Is homemade dog food better??

[MyLilCoco]

I have been feeding coco homemade dog food for the past couple of months and it has made such a big difference. She used to just pick at her food, barely eat anything and then would frequently get sick. Then I started cooking for her now she always is excited to eat and never gets sick. She is active, her fur is even better. I check the recipe with my vet and he says I am doing great with her.

Then last week my friend came over and she was really upset with me for cooking for her. She said this big fad of cooking for our pets is actually harming them. I am doing it mainly because I have noticed such a big difference in Coco and I want to do whats best for her. My friend told me she had checked with a few of her friends that are vets and they said cooking for your dog is really bad for them and that dog food has the best balance of everything they need. She was supposed to forward me some veterinary articles but hasn't sent them to me yet.

I just want to make sure I am doing what best for Coco and I don't want to be harming her in anyway. Does anyone else have an opinion on this? Or have you heard of homemade food being worse?

[Mom to Hot Rod]

I don't think that homecooking is bad. I just talked to my vet about it and she recommended that if I do it, make sure to use a nutritionist. I am toying with the idea of homecooking. I agree, ne seems to like people food and it would be very easy to just make him something and make sure that he eats. He is such a picky eater. I have put things like chicken,carrots, sweet potato, yogurt and fish in his dog food to entice him. sometimes he has pick out the people food and left the rest! I have even gone as far as blending it up to a watery consistency and he just licks his bowl out! But if you are thinking about it, as per my vet, make sure to talk with a nutritionist. Good luck.

[Tasha07x]

My Yorkie is 6 months old and also picks at his food, he is not excited about meal times and unless he is left in the room for about 30mins alone he will just run off and play with my other dog. I was also thinking about home cooking for him.. and the vet had no problem with it. What have u been feeding your yorkie???

xxxx

[MyLilCoco]

I usually make her Spots Chicken Stew or something similar. Chicken, carrots, zucchini, yellow squash, celery. I checked with my vet and he looked at the ingredients and said they were fine for her especially if she is acting better and pooping fine. I think cooking for her has made a huge difference but then my friend came over and freaked out like I was poisening my dog. She even told me Coco would probably not live as long because I am cooking for her.
I was just curious if anyone else had that type of reaction because I feel like cooking is a god sent because she is excited for meal time and acts much more enegetic.

[MyLilCoco]

I will look into a nutritionist just to make sure she is getting everything she needs. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Tasha07x]

Well i think i am going to start home cooking for Bailey, he is so fussy and its nice to know you have seen a diff in Coco and that Coco is excited about meal times coz Bailey just aint. My vet said he had no problem with me home cooking for him. My mum has a little mini pincher and she home cooks for her and the vet has no problem with it. As long as they get everything they need.

[MyFairLacy]

I have to say your friend is wrong and you are right. Homecooking (if done correctly) is so much better for our dogs than commercial dog food. Most Commercial dog food is overcooked and overprocessed and made with all kinds of discusting and even harmful ingredients. I feed a raw diet which I think is the very best you can feed. Homecooking is second best in my opinion. After that I'd say go with a premium grain-free canned food...but kibble I try to stay away from completely. As long as you are feeding your dog a balanced diet and supplementing with vitamins and minerals needed, then you're doing fine. I do recommend consulting a nutritionist that can help you with recipes though just to make sure you are getting all the nutrients in there she needs

[Duncansmom]

My vet has 17 dogs and his wife (bless her) home cooks for ALL their animals! Did I mention they have 17 dogs??!! And 9 cats and rabbits and hamsters and birds and fish and...and...and....LOL I home cook for my 2 and as long as they are getting all the xtra vitamins they need they will show you when you are doing the right thing. It will show in how they act, how healthy they stay, their coat and teeth not to mention their wee eyes too. they will stay clear and brite. IMO, there are so many schools of thought when it comes to whats best for the furbabies, some will be on one fence doing what they have found works best for their dogs while others sit on another. For me, I had to decide what I thought was best for the dogs I have to care for. I know them, I see them everyday and if I feel that somethings not working, I have the choice to change it. Consulting with a nutritionist is a great suggestion, my vets wife is one so I got lucky there.

I would take your friends opinion with a grain of salt and do what YOU feel is right for YOUR dog! Sounds like shes doing pretty well already.
good luck and happy cookin!

[Duncansmom]

Oh yea I forgot, we feed kibble to our BIG DOG Dove, because thats what works best for him. Otherwise he gets gas so bad it could wipe out a country! So see every dog is different and they need to be treated as individuals not as a whole. (IMO) What works for one, may not work for another. just like skin ppl.

[YorkieChick1]

I home cook and all my vets, (holistic, regular and neurologist) say it is great!! I use chicken, brown rice and different veggies with a powdered vitamin supplement from my holisic vet. Do what is right for you!! The proof is in your dogs health!!