Small number feeding homemade diets to dogs

An ABCNews.com article about homemade diets for dogs said that about 1 percent of people actually make their own dog food.

Read the article here.

The story talks about a California man who began cooking his dog's food in 2004, using it to supplement dry food.

After the 2007 pet food recall because of melamine, the man switched to all homemade food.

Dr. Richard Pitcairn, author of "Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats," came to believe in the power of nutrition and that it could have a positive effect of the immune system.

"To my surprise, it made a big difference," he said, "bigger than I expected."

Animals fed some kibbles long-term, he said, show signs of lessened energy and duller coats and are more susceptible to parasites and fleas.

"It's hard for the body to repair itself if the body doesn't have the nutrients it needs," Pitcairn said.

If we believe that food can have a beneficial effect on us, why then do we have a difficult time believing the same thing doesn't happen with our pets?