Home-Cooked Vs Commercial Dog Food: What The Science Actually Says (Part 8)

The Science Behind Home-Cooked vs Commercial Dog Food

As a dog owner, you want the best possible care for your furry friend. One of the most important decisions you’ll make is whether to feed them home-cooked food or commercial dog food. While both options have their benefits and drawbacks, the science actually says that home-cooked food can be the way to go.

First, let’s look at the ingredients in commercial dog foods. Many commercial dog foods contain fillers like corn, wheat, and soy, which are often cheap and convenient for manufacturers but can cause digestive problems in dogs. Additionally, many commercial dog foods contain preservatives like BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin, which have been linked to health issues in dogs.

Home-cooked food, on the other hand, allows you to control the ingredients that go into your dog’s meals. You can choose to feed them whole, unprocessed foods like meat, fish, and fruits and vegetables, or opt for commercial dog foods that are formulated specifically for their breed and life stage.

Research has shown that home-cooked food can be more nutritious than commercial dog food in several ways. For example, a study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association found that dogs fed a homemade diet had higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants than those fed a commercial dog food. Another study published in the Journal of Animal Science found that dogs fed a raw diet had lower levels of inflammation and improved digestive health.

So, what can you do to make your dog’s meals healthier? Here are some actionable tips:

* Rotate protein sources: Instead of feeding your dog the same old protein source every day, try rotating it. For example, feed your dog chicken one day and beef another.
* Add fresh fruits and veggies: Not only are they healthy for dogs, but they’re also delicious! Try adding carrots, green beans, and apples to your dog’s meals.
* Limit processed foods: While whole, unprocessed foods like meat and fish can be beneficial, avoid feeding your dog processed foods like corn and wheat.
* Avoid fillers and by-products: Fillers like corn and wheat are often cheap but can cause digestive problems in dogs. By-products like meat by-products can be high in fat and low in nutrients.

Some specific commercial dog food options that are considered healthy include:

* Orijen: Made with fresh, regional ingredients and no fillers or by-products.
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Wondering what food your morkie should eat? Read Dr. Georgie’s official food taste test results →