Dear friends of dogs,
I have a new regular column in the Shoreline Times, a newspaper based in Connecticut. My first column is entitled, “The Dog Food Coach: Making healthy dog food from scratch, with no additives.”
Here’s what I submitted. Stay tuned for a new column twice per month. ~ Sarah
The Dog Food Coach: Making healthy dog food from scratch with no additives.
Published April 9, 2021, Shoreline Times
Growing up, I always had dogs by my side. They were good friends, and together we explored local natural areas, lounged around, and yes, even enjoyed good food together.
The special place in my heart – reserved for dogs — has never faded, but evolved. As the years progress, so does the sense that when it comes to feeding our dogs, there must be a better way.
As I watch my dog gaze at me with big brown eyes while I prepare salad, a piece of chicken or some scrambled eggs, I think about her dietary needs, too. Should she, and other dogs, subsist on brown rock-like kibble for life? Is that fair, beneficial or safe?
Pet food recalls, contamination, marketing trends and premature disease are piling up and impacting pet parents in numerous ways, financially and emotionally. As a result, it seems apparent that a better way to nourish our dogs is a simpler, intuitive and ancient way: Feeding them real, everyday foods found in most grocery stores. Think meats, vegetables, eggs and more.
But dog parents need empowerment. Unfounded, perhaps societally imposed visions of homemade dog food plague the minds and souls of many well-intentioned dog parents. It’s too difficult. It’s unbalanced. It takes too much time.
What if these myths were crushed, and dog caretakers felt enabled and safe enough to take the reins to help preserve their dogs’ health through better food? Indeed, the reality is most common fears about feeding this way are unfounded. Once those fears are alleviated, dog caregivers have a whole new world of healthful opportunities in front of them.
When that is accomplished, they are free to proceed with providing their dogs one of the best forms of care: good nutrition. In turn, they can work toward a healthier life together. That is well worth any dietary learning curve that may present itself.
I may not always cook for myself, or eat perfectly all the time. I have that choice. My dog can only eat what I provide, and it’s my responsibility to remove questionable items, and replace them with truly nourishing, supportive foods. With a little planning and guidance, the adages, “food is medicine” and “food is love” can apply to our companion animals as much as they do to us. Contact me.
About Dog Food Coach
I am on a mission to help you feed your dogs a healthier diet using simple, everyday foods found in most grocery stores, farm stands or elsewhere.
How Can I Help?
My Goals:
- Empower you
- Help you realize you can improve your dog’s diet without too much trouble or confusion
- Guide you toward healthy, easy to make foods
- Support you during your transition
- Suggest healthier options
- Work with you to create a truly supportive, nourishing diet for your dog
Individual Support Option:
Go by the week, and choose one week or multiple weeks of support. This flexible plan allows you as much support and connection as you feel you need.
During our time together, I encourage (but certainly don’t require) you to make the sample recipes I send. We can then discuss any questions you have. Each week includes the following.
- Review of your dog’s current diet
- Suggested changes as needed
- 1 sample recipe, created by Sarah
- 1 educational 1-page handout, created by Sarah
- Unlimited emails and texts as needed
- Cost: $50 per week – purchase one or several weeks’ worth
- Purchase one or more weekly support consults on PayPal
Other Options:
If you are interested in a different setup, I will try to customize to your individual needs as much as possible. Either way, contact me to get started.
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Sarah Whitman, MS
Founder, DogFoodCoach.com & DogFoodJournal.com