All information contained on this page is opinion only. It is not meant to replace your vet as a valuable resource for your dog's health.

I include the information on this page because in many instances, what your dog eats can dramatically affect his behavior. As with humans, the safest way to avoid nutrition-related behavior problems is to feed the highest quality food that you can afford, in the most natural form that you can manage.

Nutritional education is an important part of dog ownership. Just as eating junk is not healthy for humans, the same applies to our canine friends. I feed my own dogs a raw diet. I feel that a raw diet is the best type of food that your dog can get for optimal health. It sets the stage for a healthy immune system and a healthy weight. In my opinion, dogs gets their best chance at the longest and healthiest life they can have with the implementation of a raw diet.

Siri enjoying raw

There are several different interpretations of a raw diet. Many raw feeders feed just plain raw style, based on what is known as a prey model diet, but there is also what is called a BARF diet. BARF stands for Bones And Raw Food or Biologically Appropriate Raw Food. I prefer the raw approach, as opposed to the BARF diet, but the BARF diet is also light years ahead of a kibble based diet, should that be the path that you choose.

The basic difference between the raw diet and the BARF diet is that the raw diet is founded on the fact that a dog is indeed a carnivore. The BARF diet is based on the notion that dogs are omnivores. The BARF diet also is often implemented with pre-packaged raw food mixes bought in a store or online. For the raw diet, just plain raw meat & organs are used. While feeding the veggies as called for in a raw diet is not nutritionally necessary, they will not hurt your dog provided you follow the guidelines about which ones to feed. Although I primarily follow the raw diet, I do feed ground raw veggies to my dogs a few days a week simply because they like them.

It is *very* important that one does the proper amount of research and reading before starting any new diet. Talk to others who are experienced. Get a mentor. Read everything you can. Join email discussion lists. Research, research, research. Don't just jump in uninformed. Your dog depends on you to care for him well. Know your facts.

Here is a great place to read about the raw diet.

Here is a site to learn about the BARF diet.

Second to the various raw diets are homemade cooked diets. Again, they are light years away from a kibble based diet and promote a healthier immune system for your dog. Again, research is a necessity in order to prepare the diet properly so that your dog will have all the nutrients that he should.

A good homemade diet is outlined well here.

Third behind the home prepared diets are the various premium kibbles. You really do get what you pay for! Yes, they are expensive but they are well worth the price in order to give your dog the best chance he can have. And variety is key. There is no reason that your dog should eat the same thing day in and day out. You can always add some good-for-you people food to their kibble a few days a week. Scrambled eggs, scraps of leftover healthy meat from dinner... what is healthy for you is generally healthy for them with a few exceptions. Make sure that you know what human foods are lethal to your pet! Chocolate, onions, macadamia nuts, grapes and raisins are but a few.

Here is a good place to read about what to choose in a dog food.

The publication Whole Dog Journal has a yearly review of dry and canned foods. You can read their list of top foods here. I heartily recommend subscribing to this amazing newsletter. It is well worth the price. They do not accept advertising dollars, so their reviews are never biased. They talk directly with the dog food manufacturers in most cases and give a great detailed account of what is right and wrong in many foods. Plus you will also get fabulous training tips as well as natural based dog care tips. They review many dog products and they tell you what you need to know about them.

For a great place to read about all things dog, nutritionally and healthwise, you can't go wrong at DogAware.com.

Larry's Laundromutt & Barktique - In addition to being able to bathe your pet and leave the mess for someone else to clean up, Larry's has a great Barktique where all natural foods and treats can be found.

For a great local source for nutritious pet food, check out Healthy Pet Products.

KP Kreations for Canines is a great place to buy wholesome all natural treats.

K9 Raw Diet is a super place to buy supplements and natural chewies, etc.