Many pet nutritionists and pet owners firmly believe that a raw diet comes closest to what dogs and wolves eat out in the wild. The diet includes everything from raw chicken, pork, and beef bones to frozen or freeze-dried nuggets that combine meat, fruits, and vegetables. Popular ingredients include beef hearts, broccoli, romaine lettuce, and carrots.

Proponents of raw diets say their dogs exude good health — no allergies, no chronic conditions, few parasites, fresh breath, healthy joints, and so on. Critics claim the raw meats carry potentially dangerous bacteria, and the bones pose a choking hazard.

For owners who don't want to risk the potential ill effects of a commercial diet, there is the option to feed a homemade diet. Again, there are many books detailing what to include in the meals. Dogs do have nutritional needs that are different from ours, and simply giving leftovers from the family's table will not provide for all of them. A successful homemade diet needs to contain the necessary proteins, carbs, vitamins, minerals, and fat that a dog needs. The nice thing is that these proportions are under your control when you make your dog's food. Typically owners who feed homemade diets prepare large batches and freeze portions, often adding fresh ingredients as the individual meals are prepared.