There was a time, back when I was young, that dogs ate just about whatever you fed them. Not only did they eat store bought dog food, but they also ate all the things that we did.

Whatever leftovers there were, made its way out to the dogs. There was always some kind of bones for them to chew on.

Of course back then I could go directly to the feed mill and pick up a bad of dog food, and after I got to know the guy, he had extra scraps for me to take home as well. But, that was then, this is now.

Today, dogs are supposed to eat healthier, although, back then our dogs seemed to do just fine. They lived long healthy, happy lives, and we grew up together. Never the less, today there are, what seem to be, a hundred varieties of dog food. You have to be careful in choosing your dog food today. There are some dog foods that are made with the inclusion of pesticides; in addition, they have other chemicals as well. You may not want to go this route. If that is the case, consider ‘organic’ dog food.

Organic dog food is supposed to be free of those items but always read the ingredients, don’t just be mislead by the name. Most dog foods, like our food, contain preservatives. They are administered for the very same purpose it is utilized in ours. To prevent spoilage, and to sustain freshness. Some dog foods even have vitamins C and E. Even the dogs have a right to their vitamins.

It's always good to know if they are made from natural preservatives or artificial ones. You can actually buy dog food, just like some of our food, which is completely preservative free. This dog food has to be stored properly, say in a dry area where it is cool. The location should also be bug free. This dog food should be used as quickly as possible.

Believe it or not, there are even vegetarian dog foods out there. There are some who insist that these were created so dog owners, who were vegetarians, could pass on their way of life to their dogs. At any rate, the dog food contains all the vitamins and nutrients a growing dog needs.

Other dog owners want to feed their dogs like wolves and wild dogs. They truly believe that raw food is the only way to a healthy diet. There is no documentation to back this up and it is a dangerous endeavor. Raw food imposes the possibility of salmonella and E-coli poisoning.

There is also therapeutic dog food that is available only through a veterinarian and normally only as a preventative measure after surgery.

Whatever dog food you choose, make sure you read the ingredients and have a good idea what you are putting into your dog. Always be as protective of him, as you would want him to be protective of you.

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If you're looking for delicious homemade recipes to treat your best friend, then you won't do better than "Healthy Food For Dogs: Homemade Recipes." I highly recommend it.