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Dogs are part of the family, and while you only want to feed your kids the very best foods, the same goes for our pups.
We’ve all read about the scary dog food recalls and some of the sketchy things that go into lower-grade dog foods. If you buy quality dog food, you’re fine. But it can be comforting to know exactly what is going into your dog’s food.That’s why some pup parents make their own dog food from scratch.
Making homemade dog food is also a good option for pups with chronic health issues, like diabetes or intestinal issues. It’s something to consider, too, if you have a dog who is overweight or older.
We bring our dog Toby to doggy daycare a few times a week, and the manager, a super sweet gal named Jen, feeds her two rescue pups homemade dog food every day. One of them was having major stomach issues, and a blander diet did wonders for her health. She’s like a new dog because of it.
Just a note: Before you make any big changes to your dog’s diet, always consult with their veterinarian. And keep an eye on your pup after feeding them the new food to see how they’re doing. Chances are they’ll be just fine, perhaps with even more pep in their step, but you just want to be sure.
To get you inspired, here are 10 easy and nutritious dog food recipes you can make at home right now.
1. Turkey & Veggie Dog Food Recipe
Natural, human-grade ingredients like ground turkey, carrots, broccoli and zucchini make this a healthy homemade dog food recipe packed with good-for-you nutrients.
Cheaper than store-bought dog food, this recipe from DamnDelicious combines ground turkey, brown rice and lots of veggies. It’s easier on your wallet and on your dog’s tummy.
Slow cookers make preparingmeals much easier, and dog food is no exception. All you have to do with this recipe is chop up ingredients, dump in the slow cooker and then stir to mash together. That’s it!
Here’s an interesting twist on homemade dog food. This completely vegan version has only four ingredients– quinoa, bananas, frozen peas and sweet potatoes– creating a simple, clean dish for dogs.
The instant pot speeds up cooking times by 2-10x and uses up to 70 percent less energy. If you have one, use it to make this nutritioushomemade dog food recipe. And if you don’t have one, consider purchasing one –you’ll get more use out of it than you’d ever imagine!
Unfortunately, some dogs, especially older or overweight ones, develop diabetes. Fortunately, there are things you can do to help with their health, like feed them this homemade dog food recipes developed especially for diabetic dogs.
And finally, this no-frills recipe is hearty and healthy. The combination of chicken and rice is easy on their stomach, so if your dog isn’t feeling well, this is a good recipe to make.
Jessi is a marketing strategist for Fortune 50 companies who loves to research and write about all things dog. She is the proud mom to Toby, a giant Labrador Retriever who thinks he’s a lapdog. He inspires her to be a better pet parent and to share advice with other dog owners.
The best dog foods will always have meat as the top ingredient, and you should look for recipes that emphasize real animal proteins, rather than just meat meals. Because your dog's food should have more meat than any other ingredient, it's vital to choose a meat source that will benefit your dog's health.
WHAT IS THE RATIO FOR HOMEMADE DOG FOOD? Dogs are obligate carnivores, so their diet should mainly consist of meats and protein. A good recommendation is 80% meat, 10% vegetable, and 10% Know Better Pet Food Premix.
There is a wide variety of unhealthy and unsafe foods to avoid when preparing meals for your dog. Potentially toxic ingredients are of special concern, including chocolate, xylitol, avocado, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, and macadamia nuts.
Feeding your dog fatty foods, like hot dogs, bacon, ribs, or fried chicken, can upset your dog's stomach and cause vomiting and diarrhea. It can also lead to pancreatitis, which is an inflammation of the pancreas.
Chicken and rice isn't meant to be given as an everyday dog food, nor is it suitable to be used in place of regular dog treats. It's simply a short-term bland diet option intended for a sick dog.
Very lean ground beef or poultry- This is the main source of protein and has to be lean since dogs have a high amino acid requirement. Compared to ground beef, ground chicken and turkey are lower in protein, iron, and zinc, so you'll need to make up for it with extra beef liver.
Corn, wheat, and soy are cheap, commonly used fillers in many commercial dog foods. While they may provide some nutritional value, they are also some of the most common allergens in dogs. Many dogs have trouble digesting these ingredients, which can manifest as skin irritations and other health issues.
“Homemade food is a great option for many pets, but we recommend that owners avoid general recipes from books and the Internet and instead consult with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist,” Larsen said.
Can dogs have tuna? Yes, you can feed your dog canned tuna, as long as you do so in moderation and infrequently. Choose the version that's packed in fresh water instead of oil or salted water. Also check the label to make sure there is no extra salt added to the canned tuna.
If you use raw meat or eggs, there's the risk that your dog could pick up certain parasites or become infected with bacteria such as Salmonella. There's also the risk that these bacterial infections could pass to humans through handling the food or cleaning up after your pet.
A nutritionally complete and balanced, homemade diet for a 30-pound dog costs around $3.52 per day, or if using organic ingredients – around $5.58 per day. This is about two to four times the price of commercial kibble of the same quantity. However, it is half the cost of commercial canned wet dog food.
Some of the better options for lean meat cuts are chicken breasts, lean cuts of beef such as sirloin or flank steak, and pork tenderloin. These kinds of cuts can be boiled, baked, or grilled, but you'll want to avoid adding seasonings or other ingredients that might be harmful to your dog.
Dogs need a balance of protein, veggies, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. To ensure that your dog is getting everything they need, use a variety of ingredients in your recipes.
Proteins should be the first ingredient to look for in dog food. Proteins are fundamental building blocks of all living cells and are crucial for your dog's growth, maintenance, reproduction, and repair of damaged tissues.
At least 95% of the product must be the named ingredient, for example, “Chicken for Dogs,” or “Salmon Dog Food,” must include at least 95% of chicken or salmon, respectively. In addition, this main product must be at least 70% of the total product when counting the added water.
The named ingredient(s) must comprise at least 10% of the total product by weight and at least 25% of the product by weight not including the added water. Additional descriptors, such as “dinner,” “entrée,” “platter” and so on, appear in the name.
Ingredients listed must be listed in order from highest quantity to lowest quantity, and a minimum of 3 percent of each ingredient listed must be included in the diet.
Introduction: My name is Jeremiah Abshire, I am a outstanding, kind, clever, hilarious, curious, hilarious, outstanding person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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