The recent recall of some pet foods, canned and in pouches, by a Canadian manufacturer and reports of the deaths or illness of some pets who were fed tainted food has scared many animal guardians. Recently, there have been reports that perhaps even some kibbles (dry food) have been contaminated. There have been other frightening warnings that include insecticides, bacteria and molds that have contaminated pet foods. We can add to that the reports of some pet food manufacturers’ treatment of animals during feeding trials, and the horrors of the slaughterhouses and rendering plants that produce the raw ingredients that go into many pets' diets.
I've made my own homemade dog food for at least 20 years (mixed with a variety of high-quality kibbles), and have always supplemented my cats' diet with various attempts at the same, or at least with some cooked meats and fish on occasion. My background is in biology and animal behavior, I am not a veterinarian or animal nutritionist, but still I've done my homework and am confident about the choices I've made. All the usual caveats apply, you should always check with your veterinarian before making a dietary change, each animal is an individual, some breeds are predisposed to certain conditions, and most vets will recommend that you make dietary changes gradually.
That being said, I have my personal opinions and experience, and I hope to dispel some myths and encourage everyone to make an attempt at supplementing their pets' diets, because I believe that the benefits of good nutrition translate to better health and longevity for our animals. I believe that some commercial diets are literally poison for our pets. An internet search on the various topics raised below will give you many more resources. I'll start with some "frequently asked questions" and give some basic notes on the diets I feed.
