One of the most common questions from pet owners is what to feed their pets. With all the recent pet food recalls, more and more pet owners are trying to educate themselves on dog and cat nutrition in order to ensure that their pets receive only the best food. So with all the brands and choices on the market, how can we ensure that our pets are not eating anything harmful to them?

First, a pet owner should educate themselves on how to choose a good commercial pet food. There is a lot of information available on the internet about choosing ingredients, vitamins and nutritional value. Dog food ratings can also help to compare similarly priced foods. However there is only one good way to ensure that our best friends receive only the freshest and healthiest ingredients.

A homemade dog food may be more involved and time-consuming than just buying a pre-packaged kibble. The health benefits, however, far outweigh the disadvantages. And a pet owner can save a lot of money on expensive kibbles. This is an example of a simple dog food recipe that can be made in any kitchen.

Boil one cup of chicken, save a cup of broth for later. Add 1/2 cup each of boiled rice and vegetables, and the chicken broth. Brown rice contains more fiber and nutrients than white rice, and is healthier for your pets as well. Add a canine multivitamin supplement for extra vitamins. Store leftovers in a refrigerator for up to three days.

To get your dog used to a new pet food, begin by mixing a larger and larger amount of it into his old food every mealtime. Don't forget that there are ingredients we use in human meals that are harmful or toxic to dogs, including chocolate, garlic and onions, mushrooms and grapes and raisins. Bones can also get caught in a dog's digestive tract, while too much salt can lead to kidney problems.

More pet food recipes can be researched on the internet and pet nutrition books. Soon both you and your pet will become accustomed to eating healthy, balanced diets, and you will see improvements in his coat and temperament. Cooking for your pet may not be as easy as feeding commercial food, your pet will thank you for his healthy diet, cooked with love.

A writer of dog food ratings for internet publications, Melinda Smith and her several cats and dogs are advocates of educated choice when it comes to pet food and nutrition. Homemade dog food and organic and natural diets are often the best ways to eliminate nutritional problems in our favorite pets and informed choices can help to keep our pets healthy and happy for many years to come.