There are times when it would be easier to open a can of dog food and feed it to your pet especially after a tiring day at the office.  There are even times when opening a tin can is too much effort, so a pack of kibbles is even easier for your dog's dinner.  While these are certainly timesavers, commercial dog food contains a lot of preservatives that is harmful to your dog's health.  Think about it, they say that junk food and fast food is bad for humans, so the same has to be true for dogs.   

A very good alternative would be to make your own dog food.  Homemade dog food has advantages over the commercial variety.  One of them is cost.  Buying sacks and cans of dog foods will cost more money in the long run.  Dogs like humans are omnivores and eat the same food as we do.  They can eat meat, most vegetables except for onions, garlic, corn and chives.  Fruit is also good for them except for grapes and raisins. 

There is a debate among dog owners on whether or not to feed dogs raw meat.  In the wild, dogs and their ancestors ate raw meat, organs and bones of their prey.   When hunting, meat is fresh so there is no need to worry about bacteria like salmonella contaminating the meat.  This is why feeding dogs raw meat is potentially dangerous.  Raw meat lying about has the potential to be contaminated.  Cooked dog food on the other hand reduces this risk.  This is why some owners prefer to cook their dog food.

But raw or cooked dog food does not matter.  Just make sure that your dog finishes his meal in a timely manner and to dispose of the uneaten portions immediately.  Always remember to feed them fresh meat or newly cooked meals that have been allowed to cool.  Feeding your dog raw or cooked homemade dog food ensures that they get the needed nutrients and minerals for their daily diet. 

Dog food raw or cooked is easy to prepare.  Some would think that they are a chore.  To save more time, you can prepare dog food in bulk, then you can either refrigerate or pop the other portions in the freezer.  There are a lot of recipes and simple dog meals that you can prepare for your pet.  Resources are available on line, through your Vet or recipe books.  With a little time and some digging, you will have of recipes to try. 

A homemade dog food means that you know what type of food your dog is eating.  It means that you are ensured of a healthy diet each and every time you feed him.  You know what he is eating.  Healthy meals mean that your dogs will live longer and is healthier.  Studies have shown that dogs who eat raw or cooked dog food live longer, are sick less often and have shinier coats compared to dogs that are fed kibbles or dry dog food.