With the growing concern about the diet of their pets amongst pet owners, many of them have chosen to substitute commercial pet food for a healthier, more holistic diet. Although many people might be unaware of it, the pet food available in the market contains artificial color, additives and preservatives. These dog 'fast foods' lead to many food allergies in dogs, including grain intolerance and digestive problems. As a matter of fact, the recent spate of pet food recalls, are because people uncovered the use of cheap fillers in them (corn, soy and meat by-products), that are deemed unsuitable even for human consumption. More importantly it has served as a wake up call for many pet owners, who are now replacing this tainted junk for some homemade, high quality food recipes for their treasured pets.

So what exactly is holistic dog food, which dog owners around the world seem to be vouching for? Derived from the term 'holism', holistic is a term used to emphasize the organic and functional relations between the parts and the whole. Therefore, the concept of holistic dog food rests on the fundamental belief that good dog food nutrition is essential for the body. So when the food is provided in the right proportions, the mind and the body function in a healthy manner leading to greater wellbeing and improved health of the dogs.

Healthy Dog Food Recipes

Do you ever wonder what dogs used to eat, before commercial food miraculously appeared on the shelves of the grocery stores or mass merchandisers? As a matter of fact, commercial pet food is a fairly modern invention, which seemed to have become popular due to its fancy packaging, pretty pictures and the 'healthy and natural' advertising. In fact, there is nothing 'natural' about commercial pet food and most of them include artificial colors, sugar, sorbitol, cheap fractionated corn and 'who-knows-what-it-is' by-products, which can cause numerous health problems in dogs. In contrast to that, the best holistic dog food recipes contain a careful blend of ingredients such as bones, meat, vegetables and natural supplements, such as fish oil, to fulfill your dog's nutritional needs. Here is a list of some easy to make recipes, made from homemade fresh food.

Chicken and Rice for Dogs

Ingredients
  • 1 cup of boiled chicken.
  • 1 cup of cooked brown rice.
  • cup of steamed mixed vegetables like carrots, spinach, green peas and beans.
  • 4 tablespoons of unsalted chicken broth.
Directions

Boil the chicken and add to the cooked rice. Steam the vegetables and add them to the chicken and rice. Add the broth and leave it to simmer for 10 minutes. Let it cool before serving it to the dog.

Turkey Special Recipe

Ingredients
  • 1 pound ground turkey.
  • 6 cups water.
  • 2 cups brown rice.
  • 1/2 cup of frozen broccoli, carrots and cauliflowers.
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary.
Directions

Place the water, ground turkey, rice, and rosemary into a large saucepan. Stir until the turkey is broken up and evenly distributed throughout the mixture. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low. Let the mixture simmer for 20 minutes, before adding the frozen vegetables and cooking for an additional 5 minutes.

Beef Stew for Dogs

Ingredients
  • 1 lb low fat beef.
  • 3 potatoes.
  • 3 carrots.
  • 2 celery sticks.
  • 2 pints chicken or beef broth.
  • 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil (can also be substituted with fish oil).
Directions

Saut the meat in a pan with 2 tablespoons oil, till it turns brown. Stew the meat in the broth for 45 minutes and then add the vegetables. Cover the mixture and let it simmer for 45 minutes until all is softened. Let it cool before serving it to the dog.

With these simple, easy to make homemade dog food recipes, you can take control over what your dog eats. With time you will see an improvement in your pet's health and to top it off, holistic dog food is actually easier on your budget, as a majority of the ingredients are available in any average American kitchen. For those who are unable to cook these recipes, you can select the best holistic commercial dog food available in the market. Keep in mind that while selecting or making holistic food for diabetic dogs, you should check all the ingredients. As a matter of fact, it is a great idea to consult the veterinarian before starting off your dog on a homemade food diet.