 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
  |
|
Food has a direct result on how the digestive system functions. Ingredients, cooking technique, and proper use of both are key factors in determining how well the body will respond to what it is fed.
Commercial dog food is economical for several reasons: the ingredients are not meant for human consumption, it is made in huge batches, and, most importantly, it is made to feed the “average” dog. I wonder what the “average” dog actually is - there are over 150 breeds of dogs ranging from 5 to 190 pounds, all with different coats and unique nutritional and energy needs.
I've yet to find a dog owner who believes his or her dog is just average, especially if the dog is considered a "member of the family"!
Experience and Education
I know food. I have a clear understanding of ingredients, the impact different cooking techniques have on the potential benefits of ingredients, and I understand how the body uses food as fuel and how to select and prepare the appropriate mix of ingredients in order to develop a nutritionally sound diet, thereby improving overall health and well being.
I received an Associate of Applied Science degree (magna cum laude, 1999) as well as an Bachelor of Science degree in Food Service Management (cum laude, 2000) from Johnson and Wales University in Charleston, South Carolina.
Over 10 years of cooking experience in a variety of different environments, as well as a culinary education have given me a solid foundation for building Canine Cuisine by Chris, LLC.
Research and Development
My research has entailed years of reading and understanding the basic nutritional and energy needs of dogs, learning about different breeds and their genetic backgrounds, and researching different ingredients and their nutritional values.
Many nutritional studies for humans use dogs as test subjects. Why? Because there are many similarities in how humans and dogs process food and are impacted by diet. With my education and experience (and the assistance of several veterinarians), I have been able to develop a very thorough database on the history of each individual dog breed, including native foods and foods to avoid. I use this information to create meals that are optimized not only by dog breed, but also by life stage and other individual special needs such as health problems, pregnancy, allergies, etc.
All meals are carefully formulated using specific calculations depending on the breed, age, and weight of your dog to determine the proper amount of calories needed to maintain his ideal weight. The ratio of carbohydrates, protein, and fat are also put into the equation and finally, a selection of ingredients is used in order to produce a customized meal that enables your dog's body to properly utilize and absorb optimal nutrition and minimize waste.