One of the most important decisions you make when taking on the responsibility of a pet is what to feed them. After all, the statement "you are what you eat" has just as much meaning to your four-legged companion as it does to you.

Just because everyone you know buys pet food from the grocery or pet store does not mean they know what's best!  Pet health statistics indicate otherwise.

The Internet is a great place to research your options; just be aware that there is as much controversy regarding Best Diet for Your Pet as there is on best gas for your car or any other "best" topic. As it relates to best pet food, unfortunately, convenience has taken priority over content.

The attention that an unscrupulous Chinese manufacturer added Melamine (a known toxin) to boost the measured protein content of kibble, thus putting millions of pets' health at risk completely missed the point. The point should have been was packaged food ever the best choice as a steady diet for our pets?

The Cost Quiz

Which do you think costs more-meals made with fresh human-grade meats and vegetables or manufactured pet food?

Healthy pets rarely require more than an annual vet check up and never require medication. Compare that to the tens-of-millions of cats and dogs frequenting vets for chronic illnesses; not only are they on medication, millions are on multiple medications!  Physically and emotionally, they are a shell of themselves and while this tears at your heart, you only need to look as far as the food choices you make.

Prepackaged pet food cannot compare to freshly made meals using quality ingredients; the former stresses your pets' body while the latter nourishes and energizes them.

No Experience Needed

First, you do not need a degree in animal nutrition to choose the best diet for your pet.  The basic diet consists of fresh meats, fish, vegetables and whole grains, plus incorporating a few key supplements.

Whatever the increase in food cost, it is more than offset by the high cost of vet care needed for a sick pet. The real bonus is that healthy pets are not just happy pets, they live many years longer. And isn't that the point of having a four- legged companion in the first place?