What to consider when making homemade dog food?
When you are making homemade pet food for your dog, be sure to include the following elements:
- High protein: meat like ground meat, eggs, fish, tofu, beans, or lentils
- Fat: vegetable or fish oils
- Carbohydrates with fiber: barley, oats, brown rice, whole-grain pasta
- Vitamins and minerals: vegetables or fruits
What are the best ingredients for homemade dog food?
- 6 cups water
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 2 cups brown rice
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- ½ (16 ounce) package frozen broccoli, carrots and cauliflower combination
Which is better commercial dog food or homemade dog food?
“Owners are told by many sources that homemade food is superior to commercial products. However, there is no proof to support this claim,” says Dr. Larsen. Larsen cautions dog owners to be aware of...
How to make healthy home made dog food?
Making homemade dog food is very easy. First, make sure all the ingredients are at room temperature. Ensure all the ingredients are chopped small. Stir all the ingredients together in a single bowl. You will need to feed your dog 1/2 cup for every 20-25 pounds. This is simply a guideline. Ask your vet how much you should feed.
Is homemade food better for dogs?
While there are no scientifically-supported benefits to homemade diets, whole ingredient-based diets are better in the long term. Commercial foods are made to be complete and balanced, adds Dr. Bartges, albeit not the most exciting of meals.
What nutrients should I add to homemade dog food?
Your dog needs protein (chicken, beef, lamb, duck, etc.), fat from meat or oil, carbohydrates like grains and vegetables, and essential fatty acids, often from plant based oil, oatmeal, and/or eggs. Eggshells provide a good amount of calcium, along with other dairy products.
What is the healthiest food to feed your dog?
Taste of the Wild Ancient Prairie. ... Instinct RawBoost Mixers. ... Orijen Original Dry Dog Food. ... Organix Chicken & Oatmeal Dry Dog Food. ... Zignature Lamb Limited Ingredient Canned Dog Food. ... Freshpet Fresh From the Kitchen. ... The Farmer's Dog. ... Rachael Ray Nutrish Supermedleys.
What are the essential ingredients for homemade dog food?
3 Essential Ingredients for Homemade Dog Food:Muscle meat.Raw meaty bones and offal (animal organs)Vegetables (leafy, non-starchy) Whole Dog Journal steers away from providing dog guardians with step-by-step recipes for dog food, raw or cooked.
How much homemade food should I feed my dog per day?
The rule of thumb is about 2 to 3 percent of body weight for adult dogs and cats. That translates to about 16 ounces of food for a 50-pound dog, or 4 ounces of food for a 10-pound cat.
Is Sweet Potato good for dogs?
Why Sweet Potatoes Are Good for Dogs. Sweet potatoes provide an excellent source of dietary fiber, which helps the digestive system function more effectively. Eating fiber on a regular basis lowers the risk of heart disease and certain types of cancers.
What meat should dogs not eat?
Bacon, Ham and Fat Trimmings Bacon, bacon grease, ham, and fat trimmed off meat or bones contains a lot of salt and/or fat and at the least can cause indigestion, vomiting, and diarrhea in both dogs and cats. These foods can also cause pancreatitis, a serious, potentially deadly inflammation of the pancreas.
What vegetables can dogs eat everyday?
Carrots, peas, green beans, sweet potatoes, and bananas are packed with important vitamins, along with potassium, which is good for a dog's muscles, nerves, and kidneys. Their fiber can also help dogs stay regular. Oranges are great source of vitamin C.
What ingredients should I avoid in dog food?
The 8 Ingredients To Avoid In Dog FoodMelamine. ... BHA, BHT and Ethoxyquin. ... Propylene Glycol. ... Carrageenan. ... Meat Meal. ... Food dyes or corn syrup. ... MSG. ... Sodium Hexametaphosphate.More items...•
What kind of meat is good for dogs?
Chicken, turkey, lean ground beef, and chuck steak or roast are animal-based proteins, which help dogs grow strong. A few rules apply: Always cook meat well. Never serve it raw or undercooked.
Is fresh tuna good for dogs?
Can dogs eat tuna? The answer is no. You shouldn't feed your canine companion the saltwater fish because it could lead to a number of different health problems.
What can I feed my dog instead of dog food?
RefrigeratorPlain, low-fat Greek yogurt.Mild cheeses, such as American.Cooked white or sweet potatoes.Cooked eggs, such as scrambled eggs.Rotisserie chicken, skin and bones removed.Cooked lean meat, such as chicken, beef, or turkey.Cooked or raw fresh vegetables, such as carrots, corn, and broccoli.More items...•
Should You Feed a Homemade Diet?
Homemade diets are growing in popularity in part because the ingredients can be controlled, so there is no fear of dog food recalls. In addition, many people are trying to eat healthier and they want the same for their dogs.
Proper Nutrition for Dogs
Like humans, dogs have nutritional needs that must be met in order for them to thrive. Dogs' nutritional needs differ from our own, so you can't exactly start sharing your own dinner with your dog. Feeding an incomplete or imbalanced diet can lead to vitamin and nutrient deficiencies in dogs.
What to Watch for When Feeding Homemade Dog Food
It's important to monitor your dog closely when changing to homemade dog food. Stay in contact with your veterinarian regarding any changes you notice, whether good or bad. For best results, keep a record of your dog's weight and body condition over time.
How to Prepare Homemade Food for Dogs
When preparing a diet at home for your dog, it is essential that you follow a recipe that is complete and balanced. Once you and your vet have chosen an appropriate recipe, it's time to get started.
Sample Dog Food Recipes
The following recipes have been created by veterinarians for general use in healthy dogs. Be sure to talk to your veterinarian before feeding your dog these or other homemade diets.
MSPCA-Angell Sample Dog Food Recipe
MSPCA-Angell offers the following recipe for the average 15 lb adult dog with no medical problems as a possible option to concerned pet owners. This recipe is balanced for long-term feeding when fed according to instructions.
Northwest Holistic Pet Care: Cooked Meal for a 20 lb. Dog
IMPORTANT: Before making any changes to your dog’s diet, please consult with your holistic veterinarian to ensure the changes are compatible with your dog’s current health status. Weigh your dog before making diet changes. Having a baseline; tracking their weight will help you in adjusting quantities should they lose or gain too much.
The ABCs of a Balanced Dog Food Diet
Understanding the basics of what makes a homecooked diet balanced for your dog will help when you discuss the options with an expert. Here are important ingredients for the canine diet.
Making the Transition
If you’ve decided to transition your dog to a homemade diet, your first step should be to consult a veterinarian or veterinary nutritionist. Those experts will consider your dog’s age, size, and health history and help you identify a high-quality recipe that is tailored to meet your dog’s specific nutritional needs.
Resources for the Chef
Your best resource and first stop is your dog’s veterinarian, who knows your dog and has a thorough understanding of his health history and current condition.
1. Easy Crockpot Dog Food
Chungah proves that making dog food at home is not only cheaper, but healthier too. You have full control over the ingredients, and so your fur-baby will eat nothing but the best. If your looking to lean up the meal a bit, replace the ground beef with ground turkey or chicken to curb some of those extra calories and fat.
2. Homemade Turkey and Rice Dog Food
Looking to make something quick and easy? Try a simple 4-ingredient recipe of Turkey, Rice, Broccoli, and a pinch of Rosemary. We definitely recommend cutting up the brocolli into smaller bits to ensure there is no choking hazard, since we all know some dogs don't chew as much as they should.
3. Make Ahead Doggie Stew
Here's another healthy time saver for your pup, making a stew ahead of time and freezing the leftovers until needed. Making use of nutrient-rich ingredients and a slow cooker, SkinnyMs has created a really high quality food source that humans and dogs can appreciate.
4. Crockpot Chicken
Another awesome crockpot recipe, this time just using some simple ingredients such as: Chicken, Rice, Green beans, Sweet Potato, and Carrots - all good stuff that will keep your dog fueled and happy. The best part is this recipe comes with a how-to video so you can follow their exact process.
5. Turkey and Veggie Dog Food
SkinnyMs is on our list twice, and for good reason - she makes awesome recipes! This is a fantastic blend of turkey, organs, and some nutrient rich veggies. Make sure you make enough for leftovers, using ziplock bags or containers so that you'll have enough for the whole week!
6. Beefaloaf Meatloaf
Yeah, you read that right - BEEFaloaf, and your dog will love it. It's exactly how it sounds too, just make some meatloaf with all your dogs favorites: beef, eggs, and veggies. Then just bake in the oven for 40 minutes and you're all set to spoil your fur baby.
7. Easy Slow Cooker Dog Food
Slow cooker recipes are especially good just for their time saving - since you may be making dog food each week. This is another simple recipe that you can create in just 20 minutes, using a combination of beef and anti-oxidants. If you want to lean things up a bit just swap the beef for chicken or turkey.
Top 10 Healthy Dog Food Recipes
This recipe is so easy, it only has one step: combine the ingredients! Your pup will love the mixture of ground beef, protein-packed eggs, and dog-friendly herbs like parsley.
Dog Food Recipe Tips
Trying new foods is fun for humans, but it can be hard on our pets’ stomachs. The most important thing to remember is to change your dog’s diet slowly. Veterinarians recommend mixing new foods with your dog’s previous food. Start with about 25% new food and 75% old food. Then gradually increase the amount of new food until you reach 100%.
Storing Your Homemade Dog Food
These recipes are really simple, but you probably don’t have time to cook a full meal for yourself and your dog every night. An easy solution? Make a big batch and divide it into individual portions. Put each meal in a Ziploc bag in the freezer and pull it out at dinner time!
Making Your Own Dog Food: The Bottom Line
Now that you’ve learned how to make homemade dog food quickly and easily. We hope you’ve found your new favorite healthy dog food recipe. Cater to your furball’s specific dietary needs, learn a new cooking skill, and maybe even save a little money. Your dogs will love their upgraded diets!
What Are The Benefits Of Homemade Dog Food?
Homemade dog food can benefit your canine companion in a number of ways — especially if you have a pet who suffers from allergies, skin problems, or gastrointestinal sensitivity.
What Nutrition Guidelines Should You Follow?
Just like humans, every dog is different, so this is not meant to be a one-pup-fits-all rule. Serving size, your dog’s weight, health conditions, size, and activity level are all factors you should take into consideration when determining what’s right for your dog.
Homemade Dog Food Delivered
In the age of UberEats, DoorDash, and having just about anything you wish delivered, you also have the option to buy fresh, natural dog food for doorstep delivery. It can be a huge time-saver and may be worth the cost after you add up all the ingredients you’ll need to buy to cook a recipe.
Our Favorite Homemade Dog Food Recipes
We’ve written up some of our favorite dog food recipes to share with you. To jump to a recipe you’re interested in, click on the link below. We also have some yummy organic dog treat recipes and treats made with Thanksgiving leftovers.
CBD-Infused Dog Treats
You can purchase already-made CBD dog treats, but if you want to take a whack at making your own, here’s a recipe. Be sure to tell your vet that you’re adding CBD to your dog’s diet. Check with the manufacturer’s dosing guidelines of the CBD product you plan on giving your dog to make sure you’re giving the proper amount.
Beef Stew, Doggie Style
This recipe is loaded with iron from fresh protein and can be stored in your fridge for most of the week (or frozen and heated up later).
Turkey, Rice, And Veggie Mix
This is an excellent, low-calorie and low-fat recipe for pooches who may need to keep the pounds off. With a good balance of lean animal protein, healthy carbs, and veggies, it yields 12 cups of dog food and can be refrigerated for up to 5 days.
1. Homemade Chicken Dinner for Dogs
Dogs love chicken, and it can be an easy meat ingredient to use for homemade dog meals. While you can swap out some of the vegetables in this recipe, avoid onions, and if you use carrots cook them well. Carrots can be hard for dogs to digest.
2. Homemade Fish Dinner for Dogs
Fish is a wonderful meat choice for dogs, but your dog doesn’t need to go catch them. The healthy omega 3 fatty acids found in fish are good for your dog’s skin and coat. Some dogs may be allergic to fish, so if your dog starts to itch a lot when eating a fish diet check with your veterinarian.
3. Chicken, Broccoli and Rice Dinner for Dogs
Broccoli is a great treat for dogs, whether you feed it as a snack or in their meals. It can promote fresh breath and it’s rich in calcium. This particular meal is great to help ensure your dog has a well-balanced mealtime.
5. Homemade Doggy Dessert Dinner
As mentioned previously, fruit is good for dogs. While they don’t normally enjoy citrus and they should not be fed grapes, there are many other fruit choices that are very palatable for dogs. Your dog might even like to snack on fresh frozen fruits just as a simple treat. Blueberries are perfect for that!
How to Ensure Proper Nutrition in Homemade Dog Food
You’ll want to keep an eye on health, make adjustments when needed, and don’t overfeed them. You can also check with your veterinarian to make sure you are getting them what they need or if you need to add a supplement.
Best Dog Food Cookbooks
Five recipes are only good for a start. For even more recipes than we’ve outlined in this post, consider the following dog cookbooks so you can test out other feasts and carefully round out your dog’s diet.
Raw Dog Food & Frozen Dog Food
If you read through this whole post and decided you don’t want to make food from scratch for your dog, but you don’t want to stick with conventional dry dog food either, we recommend the following options that are just about as good as homemade:
9 Vet Approved Homemade Dog Food Recipes for a Thriving Pup
Despite all of the commercially available dog foods that are on the market nowadays, many dog owners are turning to homemade recipes to keep their dogs healthy. Homemade meals offer greater control over what your pup is putting into their body.
A Balanced Canine Diet
Take a glance at any dry kibble product and you'll see a long list of ingredients. It may seem like creating dog food is a complicated process. In reality, it's relatively simple. There are three main nutrients that your dog needs to stay healthy. These include proteins, fiber, and carbohydrates.
9 Homemade Dog Food Recipes - Vet-Approved
This recipe is versatile and scalable. You can use a wide variety of ingredients, as long as they're safe for canines. The following recipe is portioned for a 15-pound dog. You can easily modify the ingredient amounts to match your pup's weight.
Before You Begin
When you are considering either shifting your dog’s diet to a fully homemade dog food or adding homemade food to your dog’s normal high-quality dog food your first stop should be your vet. Take the time to discuss your dog’s health and your long-term nutrition goals. Different dogs have different needs, even if the basics are the same for all dogs.
Pros and Cons of Making Homemade Dog Food
Homemade dog food has many pros, but there are some important cons to consider. Making your own dog food can help avoid allergens or processed ingredients. You know exactly where all of your ingredients come from. Your fresh food will also be free from preservatives and you can tailor it for your dog’s taste.
Dog Nutrition
Understanding dog nutrition will help you find the right homemade dog food recipe to keep your pet healthy. Even if a recipe looks healthy to you, if you do not know dog nutrition, you will miss out on essential vitamins that your pooch needs to stay healthy and strong.
Safe Preparation
Food safety is just as important for your fluffy friend as it is for you. While dogs can tolerate many foods that would make a human ill, you should still keep in mind that food-bourne illness is an issue for your pet. Make sure any protein is thoroughly cooked to kill off pathogens.
Recipe Guidance
The base of your dog food recipe will be some form of lean meat. You can pick anything you like beef, pork, chicken breasts, or any meat you like. You can pick what is cheap at your market or pick something for your dog’s specific dietary needs. A grain is your next choice to make.
