Dog Food - What's Best For Your Shih Tzu?

I have had dogs all my life. As a child my family hadsome would argue that owners that cook for their
dogs that basically belonged to no one in particularpets are neglectful of some of the nutritional needs
but rather, they belonged to the family in general,of the pet. After all, dog food is especially formulated
they were simply a part of us. I remember that littlefor dogs, right?
thought was given to what the dogs ate. Whether itProcessed Food is not a great choice!
was scraps from the table or whatever commercialTry convincing one of these people that a dog and a
dog food that happened to be on sale.human both need similar nutritional foods. It's not that
My dogs lived long and full lives without anyoneeasy. However, no matter how you look at it, or
worrying if they were getting the proper nutritionwhat you believe a dog should eat as opposed to
needed. But fast forward to nowadays and thingshumans, processed food is still processed food!
are very different. We know much more aboutCommercial dog food is manufactured, which means
nutrition and the specific needs of our dogs, andit goes through various steps of processing, and has
even how that changes at various stages in theirpreservatives included, as well as other additives
lives.before it is packaged and delivered to merchants.
Are Dog Food Promotions Correct?Each step in this process reduces the food's quality
Most dog owners prefer to feed their petand reduces its nutritional value.
commercial dog food. This method is convenient andI cook for Molly and Ben (my Shih Tzu) daily. They
most people trust that the dog food will meet themostly eat a mixture of vegetables, rice, beef and
nutritional requirements of their pet. These ownersgravy. It is a sort of beef stew concoction. They
are doing what they feel is the best thing they canseem to be very healthy and I do not have any
to provide a great diet for their dog.plans of changing their diet to commercial dog food.
Dog food has been promoted as being everythingHowever, I do supplement their diet with a
your pet needs. Dog owners that choose commercialvegetarian dog food by mixing a small amount of it in
dog food over feeding their pet human food arethe stew mixture.
confident that they are doing the right thing. In fact,