What to feed your dog has become a big issue in the canine community over the last few years. There are some who would never feed their dog dry food, others that believe too much meat can cause long term damage, and those that wouldn’t be caught dead feeding their hounds anything but raw animal products.

Some of us will cook our dogs their own meals, feed table scraps at every opportunity, or swear by their vet recommended brand.

What makes finding a dog’s perfect diet hard to pin down is that fact that dogs, as a species, will eat just about anything – including the trash when they manage to get into it. They like their food, and won’t turn their nose up at certain ingredients simply because they may not be ideal for their digestive systems.

It is therefore up to us to find a diet which is nutritious and balanced for our beloved dogs. Any dog’s diet should contain a healthy dose of protein, omega 6 and 3 oils, vitamins A, D, E, as well as B vitamins and Folic Acid. Your dog should also be eating plenty of minerals in his diet, including calcium, magnesium, zinc and selenium.

Sounds confusing? It needn’t be. Ingredients such as egg (including ground egg shell), ground beef, green vegetables, beef liver, red peppers, sardines and coconut oil, mixed together will meet the nutritional needs of your dog in abundance. You can make it in bulk and freeze it, so that your dog always has the best meals available to him.

If you aren’t keen on whipping up your dog’s dinner yourself and prefer the convenience of dry food, then look for a brand which serves up a good balance of these nutrients. Avoid dog food which is full of filler, such as corn, and try to avoid feeding too much chicken which is lacking in nutrients when compared to other proteins.

Do your best to avoid pet foods which are high in carbohydrates, particularly if your dog is a cancer victim. High amounts of carbs in dog’s diets have been found to accelerate the rate at which cancer spreads. Many dry foods are loaded with carbs, so do your research and pick your dog’s dinner carefully. High carbohydrate diets also contribute to obesity, arthritis and diabetes in dogs. So check the label before you choose your dog’s new kibble!