Nutritionally complete homemade dog food recipes

A growing number of dog owners are choosing to make their own dog food at home due to the news recalls and the ever-changing information about commercial dog foods.

However, preparing meals for your human family or for yourself is not the same as making homemade dog food. There are some crucial guidelines to follow to maintain your dog’s health.

Should You Feed Your Dog Homemade Dog Food?

Because the ingredients can be controlled and there is no worry about remembering to make dog food, homemade diets are becoming increasingly popular. In addition, many people are trying to eat healthier, and they want their dogs to follow suit. Homemade diets use whole food ingredients, which are generally considered healthier than processed dry or wet dog food, and some people prefer them.

Not everyone is a good fit for making dog food at home. Before you start your dog on a homemade diet, there are a few things to think about.

• Look for a balanced and comprehensive homemade dog food recipe. Feeding your dog an unbalanced or incomplete diet is one of the worst things you can do.
• Accurately measuring ingredients and preparing food takes time. Make sure your schedule gives you enough time each day to prepare your dog’s food correctly.
• Make sure you have the money to buy the supplies you need to make your dog’s food. Although homemade dog food is usually a little more expensive than kibble, it is usually less expensive than commercially prepared fresh or raw dog food.
• If your dog is picky, you may need to find several recipes so you can occasionally change up the diet and make it interesting.

Healthy Eating in Homemade Dog Food

Dogs have nutritional needs that must be met in order for them to thrive, just like people. You can’t just start eating dinner with your dog because their dietary needs are different from ours. Dogs that are fed an unbalanced or inadequate diet can become deficient in vitamins and nutrients.

In order for dogs to get the energy they need, they must consume enough calories. The number of calories a dog needs each day is determined by its activity level and life stage. You can find out how many calories your dog needs each day with the help of your veterinarian.

Protein, carbohydrates, fiber, and fat should all be present in the right proportions in a homemade dog diet. To ensure that the food is balanced and complete, vitamins and minerals must be added.

• At least 10% protein from foods like lean beef, turkey, fish, and chicken
• 50% or more carbohydrates, such as those found in rice, pasta, and potatoes (which also contain some fiber)
• Between 2.5 and 4.5% fiber, which can be found in vegetables like carrots, green beans, and peas
• 5.5% or more fat, especially from vegetable oil

If you’re ready to start cooking for your dog, the first step is to talk to your veterinarian. You can try recipes from your veterinarian. You may also need a recommendation from a veterinarian who specializes in canine nutrition or a veterinary nutritionist.

Healthy Eating in Homemade Dog Food

When switching to homemade dog food, it’s important to keep a close eye on your dog. Keep your veterinarian informed of any changes you notice, whether positive or negative. For best results, record your dog’s weight and body condition over time. Weigh your dog at least once a week, and contact your veterinarian if you notice any unexpected weight gain or loss. If your dog has a sensitivity to one or more ingredients, watch for vomiting or diarrhea. Make a note of this and notify your veterinarian of any additional symptoms.

Ways to make dog food at home

It is important to follow a comprehensive and well-balanced recipe when making your dog’s food at home. Once you and your veterinarian have chosen the right recipe, it is time to get started.

• Everything should be ready before you start, including a food scale, food processor, pots and pans, and containers or bags to portion the food.
• Invest in premium, fresh ingredients that are not heavily processed, prepared, or season
• Position yourself in a spotless section of the kitchen that is devoid of any items that could endanger your dog.
• Ingredients should be measured. For accuracy, try using a food scale.
• Prepare the ingredients according to the recipe instructions.
• Combine food and supplement well; a food processor is the best tool for blending ingredients.
• Food should be placed in containers and kept in the freezer or refrigerator.
• Refrigerated food will generally stay fresh for three to four days. The best time to use frozen dog food is within two months. Homemade dog food that has been stored in the freezer for more than six months should not be fed.

Many owners decide to cook a large batch and store it in pre-portioned containers in the refrigerator or freezer. Saving time and money is a great idea, but you may want to start with a small amount so you can monitor your dog’s progress on the diet.

Examples of recipes for dog food

Veterinarians have developed the following recipes for use with generally healthy dogs. Before giving your dog this or any other homemade diet, be sure to consult your veterinarian.

Veterinarians have developed the following recipes for use with generally healthy dogs. Before giving your dog this or any other homemade diet, be sure to consult your veterinarian.

For interested pet owners, the MSPCA-Angell offers the following recipe for a typical 15-pound adult dog with no health issues. When fed as directed, this recipe is balanced for long-term feeding.

Homemade Diet Composition:

We recommend weighing these foods with a dietary gram scale until you know their approximate amounts. Local grocery stores and big-box retailers sell food mixes. To prevent your pet from choosing individual foods, mix everything together. If the ingredients are allowed to separate and the animal does not eat a complete food mix, nutritionally balanced homemade meals can result in unbalanced nutrient intake.

For a 14+-pound (ideal weight) adult dog, this is the cooked weight and the daily amount of each food ingredient. Although water content and cooking time affect the final cooked weight, weighing these ingredients gives more accurate results than measuring by volume.

A 15-pound dog has an estimated daily energy requirement of 443 kcal, and this food contains approximately 1.51 kcal per gram when fed. A dog should consume approximately 300 grams of this diet per day. We use the general dog equation to determine the starting feeding amount, but this general equation may be +/- 50% off for any dog. If you believe your dog needs more or less food, feed more or less overall (-/+ 25%) by adjusting the amount for appropriate weight and condition. While following this diet, please weigh your dog once a week.

Homemade Dog Food for a 20-Pound Dog from Northwest Holistic Pet Care

Ingredients

• Eight ounces of boneless, ground organic turkey thigh
• Two tablespoons organic ground turkey organ meat (heart, gizzards, and liver)
• ¼ cup organic vegetables, finely chopped
• One tablespoon of raw, ground sunflower seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon organic coconut oil
• Half a teaspoon of salmon oil
• 500 mg of calcium citrate (*This is essential!)

Adjust ingredient amounts according to your dog’s weight and activity level. The above amounts are for a 20-pound dog that doesn’t get much exercise. With vigorous exercise, a dog’s calorie needs can increase fourfold. Monitor your dog’s weight and adjust meal portions to meet calorie needs.

• 40 lb. Dog: Twice the sum above
• 60 lb. Dog: Three times the above sum
• 80 lb. Dog: Four times the sum above

Directions

Blanch the vegetables and set aside. Over medium-low heat, slowly cook the ground turkey thighs and organ meat. When most of the meat is white but some are still pink, remove it from the burner. In a clean coffee grinder or food processor, pulse the blanched vegetables until they appear finely chopped. Once the mixture is cool enough to eat, combine all ingredients and serve.

Notes

• Please consult your veterinarian if your dog has a history of calcium oxalate stones, struvite, or urinary tract infections.
• Because it is directly related to and affected by your dog’s diet, keep an eye on the pH of their urine. Most pharmacies sell pH strips. Dogs typically have a pH of 6.5.

Nutritional Supplements for a 20-lb. dog

These are additional nutrients (supplements) that are not listed in the nutritional analysis table but can be added to the recipe above.

• One and a half tablespoons of burdock root, zucchini, ground parsley, or other greens (daily)
• Three times a week, ¼ teaspoon of cod liver oil Cod liver oil is a great way to prevent cancer.

See more food recipes for dogs: Click Hear

More Post:

• Puggle Dog
• Saint Bernese
• How To Train Your Dog