I don't know about you, but I want only the best for my dog. This means taking the extra effort to ensure that he is healthy and well fed at all times. Home made dog food is a great way to accomplish this. While there may be some outstanding pre-packed pet food available in the market?preparing what goes into your dog's meal is still better. Get fantastic tips on how to make dog food that will put the wag in your doggie's tail today.

1. Always consult your veterinarian about your dogs especially when it comes to diet. Your dog may be one with special nutritional requirements or be allergic to certain kinds of food groups. Find out your canine's present condition and make the necessary preparations in regard to their food plan.

2. Learn about the food that you do not feed canines. There are food that might be a cause of allergy to your pet (hence the prior consultation with the vet); however, there are regular things we see in our cupboards and refrigerator that are potentially dangerous to these animals. The shortlist of this includes: chocolate, onion, caffeine, baby food, grapes/raisins, macadamia nuts, citrus oil and mushrooms.

3. Some advocate the philosophy of feeding their dogs raw and all natural fare but for the purpose of safety, it is advisable to cook all meals thoroughly before serving. You can cook and prepare the food in advance and store them properly in the refrigerator for up to three days. The uncooked ingredients can be frozen until used.

4. Feed your pet a healthy mix of starch, meats and vegetables. You can put in 50% starch, 25% vegetables and 25% meat - check what ratio works best for your pet and go with that. Rice and potato are great sources of starch and any kind of meat will be good to give as long as you don't give one particular kind too much (like liver or any kind of organ meat - too much may cause some problems). Use tomatoes, carrots, green beans and peas for his vegetable portions. Also, add chopped small pieces of fruits for the dog to snack on occasionally.

5. Consult the vet on how to best portion meals to your dogs. Some canines have a more active lifestyle and need a larger quantity of food (high in protein), while some must be monitored carefully. Loving your dog does not mean feeding him treats at all times - responsible owners need to exercise restraint and care in providing him with the right kind and amount of food.

6. When you are transitioning your pet from store bought processed pet food to home made dog food, do so gradually. Introduce it slowly by giving the canine small amounts of the new fare as you decrease the regular canned food in his diet. When no indigestion or other problem is forthcoming, increase feeding him the home made food it becomes standard.

Switch up the dishes and menu every once in a while. This will ensure that your canine will get the nutrients and vitamins he needs; as well as keep his attention and interest. Sometimes it is somewhat of a challenge to learn how to make dog food but in the end, it is well worth the effort.