Home Cooked Diets

Recent problems with commercial diets in the US, have stimulated an increase in home cooked diets and raw diets for our pets. There are definitely advantages to home cooked meals, but they do not outweigh the disadvantages unless the diet has been put together specifically for your pet by a qualified veterinary nutritionist.

Advantages:
• Increased palatability
• High digestibility
• Ability to control ingredients

Disadvantages:
• Expensive
• Poorly balanced i.e. lack the right balance of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins & minerals
• Bacterial contamination of raw ingredients that can affect both pets and humans
• Bones can cause gastrointestinal obstructions, break teeth and tear the intestines

Unless you have specific recipes that have been formulated by a veterinary nutritionist, commercial diets should be considered. All reputable veterinary nutritional companies must follow strict dietary requirements to ensure the diets are balanced and nutritionally beneficial.

Seek veterinary assistance in determining which diet is best for your pet.