Natural dog food contains many important nutrients which most commercial canned food and kibbles lack. Most of these commercial dog foods claim to fulfill the daily dog nutritional requirements, but this is not always true. This is because if the dog eats more or less than the daily recommended serving size as stated by the brand, his nutritional balance will be affected.
Also nutrients are only derived from the food that is digested. Most brands of kibble vary in terms of how digestible they are, so the dog may not always be getting what he needs from what he eats. Canned foods and kibble also contain many additives which may not be good for the dog.
Natural dog food provides nutritional, digestible, wholesome food that is free from preservatives. Another advantage of feeding individual natural foods to the dog is that is helps to isolate those items that may be causing allergic reactions in the dog. Natural balanced dog food is what dogs have been eating several years before manufactured artificial foods came into production. The BARF or bones and raw dog food is an example of a natural diet that many dog owners subscribe to. According to this diet, one must feed raw meat and a variety of fresh vegetables to the dog. Poultry is a healthy addition to the dog diet as it is high in protein and also less costly that beef. The bones are softer when raw and hence can be easily chewed. One can also serve cooked meats as part of this diet, but the bones must be removed before serving.
Vegetables and fruits are also important components of healthy dog food. They contain fiber, antioxidants and vitamins. One can serve either home grown organic fruits and vegetables or store-bought ones. But it is essential to serves only the freshest foods as the nutrients are most effective during that time. Vegetables such as carrots provide vitamin A, while green leafy vegetables offer calcium, phosphorus, iron, manganese and niacin. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower contain many antioxidants that aid in fighting cancer. Low acidic foods supply sufficient vitamin C and pieces of pear and apple may be fed to the dog. All vegetables and fruits must be washed properly in order to get rid of bacterial contamination and pesticide traces. Natural foods are a good alternative to commercial dog food products, but it is important to gradually introduce the new diet to your dog as sudden changes may affect digestion.
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