At The End Of 2019 During Our Yearly Vet Check We Received The Devastating News That Our 11 Year Old Dogs Blood Work Showed That He Was In Stage 4 Kidney Failure
Honestly, I was a basket case, how on earth did we miss this? He seemed like he was just dealing with some symptoms of getting older frequent urination, sometimes excessive water drinking. It definitely didnt feel like life threatening symptoms. As much as the diagnosis was a shock, the price tag of the prescription diet he would need to eat for the remainder of his life was pretty horrifying too!
The Dos And Donts Of Homemade Dog Food
First things first: Even though your dog might sit on the couch like a human, use your pillow like a human and snore like a human that doesnt mean it can eat like a human.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals outlined six essential nutrients doggos need to grow big and strong: water, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.
All of these nutrients can be found in the recipes below.
Then, of course, there are foods you want to avoid feeding your dog, even though theres always the random story about how your coworkers perfectly healthy dog eats chocolate even unwraps the pieces with its claws
Heres what to avoid, according to the American Kennel Club:
- Chocolate
Now that youve got the basics down, its time to get in the kitchen.
How Much Homemade Dog Food Seasoning Blend Should I Be Adding To My Dog’s Meals Each Day
Start small by adding a little sprinkle of these herbs to your dogs food each dayand work up from there. Adding dried herbs like these is a safe way to give your pups a little boost in nutrition, freshen their breath, and heck it probably will make their food a little more flavor-able too!
If youve made our Easy Homemade Dog Food Seasoning Blend for your pup I would be so grateful if you would rate the recipe and let me know what you think in the comments below! I just love hearing from you and your reviews and comments really help others that visit This Mess is Ours. Want to be a part of our online community outside of the blog? Its easy!! All you have to do is follow @THISMESSISOURS on , , , , or to see cooking demos, and peeks into our day to day life.
- Prep Time:1 minute
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Pros Of Homemade Dog Food
- Homemade dog food can be made fresh so that the ingredients retain their maximum nutritional value.
- If your dog suffers from food allergies, a homemade dog food diet may enable you to control his exposure to the offending ingredient.
- With homemade dog food you can control the ingredients, limiting your dogs exposure to artificial preservatives, flavors, dyes, and hormones.
- A homemade dog food diet may be more cost-effective than certain specialty diets like raw food diets for dogs.
- Making your own dog food enables you to cater directly to your dogs taste this is especially beneficial if your dog is a picky eater.
- You can make homemade dog food using many of the ingredients you purchase for yourself and your family .
- Homemade dog food will always be fresh this may make it more appealing and palatable for your dog.
Use A Homemade Food As A Topper
Theres no need to make all your pets food to see some savings or health benefits. You could scale back the amount of commercially prepared food you serve, and either top it with a homemade mix, or blend one in. Jenna Dreher, the chief executive of pet-care company Pet It Forward, tops her Great Dane Caspers food with a soft mix of simmered sweet potatoes, carrots and apples, seasoned with a dash of cinnamon.
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Canning Homemade Dog Food Recipe And Instructions
When I make dog food, I make it using one type of meat per batch. So well make a batch of dog food using beef, and another for chicken parts but we dont combine them. So when we came across some extra meat this fall we didnt want it to go to waste and made some dog food out of it. It is fairly cost efficient and much more healthy than the stuff you by at the store. As a nice side effect, it also boosts our stock of dog food we keep at the house in case of an emergency and if push comes to shove its completely safe for humans to eat too.
After a successful hunting season, we took the parts of our deer that werent used for steaks, sausage, or jerky and trimmed them up again. This includes the liver and some other organ meats we love to eat venison heart so the dogs didnt get that. We cut all the tendon out, any bone, and any abnormally large chunks of fat. Anything eatable that was cut out of the dog food was fed to the dogs in small amounts as snacks, treats, or mixed in with their regular food. They even got the bone marrow from the bigger bones. The ONLY thing that was thrown out on this deer, was the rib cage, spine, and lower intestinal tact, all devoid of meat everything else was used.
I also cooked up some veggies. Carrots and spinach it is just stuff we had from the garden so it was all grown at home. I added those in for vitamins and minerals. Then added some hard boiled eggs from my chickens WITH the shells for calcium.
What Ingredients Are Necessary For A Balanced Meal
Commercial dog food typically contains a mix of protein, carbohydrates and high-fiber fruits and vegetables, as well as those critical vitamins and minerals.
Morgan, who cooks for her dogs, says she uses proteins like organ meat as well as sardines and eggs. Eggs are the number one protein for digestibility and completeness, she said. Cook all proteins fully before feeding them to your dog.
Carbohydrates in your dogs diet can come from ingredients such as potatoes, pasta and rice.
Brown rice is better than white rice from a Chinese medicine perspective, Morgan said. White rice will make inflammatory diseases worse.
Barley is another carb option thats good for diabetics, she said. Quinoa is also good though some dogs may find it hard to digest.
The ratio of meat to carbs will vary based on the recommendations of your veterinarian, who will take into account factors like your pups weight, activity level and age .
For vegetables, Morgan uses pumpkin, squash and other high-fiber produce, as well as pears, apples and blueberries. Like humans, dogs with bladder issues can benefit from cranberries, she said. Just avoid onions, garlic, grapes and raisins, which can be toxic to your dog. Fruits and vegetables should be cooked in order for your dog to get all of their nutritional benefits.
Morgan also likes to add ground eggshells to make sure there is enough calcium and trace minerals her dogs food. She also adds whole eggs for a vitamin D boost.
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The Same Homemade Dog Food Diet Can Be Used For Puppies Adults And Senior Dogs
The nutritional needs of dogs vary slightly in different life stages. Puppies, for example, require more protein and calcium to support the growth and development of their bones and joints. Senior dogs may require a lower calorie diet as their metabolism slows down to prevent them from gaining too much weight. Before you feed your dog a homemade dog food diet you need to make sure that it provides the right balance of nutrients for your dog according to his age and activity level. Working with an animal nutritionist will help to make sure that your homemade dog food is properly balanced.
The Importance Of Complete And Balanced
Dog food must be complete and balanced to provide your pup the necessary ingredients she needs to maintain proper health.
To make that hypothetical chicken and rice dinner suitable for your dog, you may have to add an ingredient like bone meal to boost the dishs calcium content, as well as other items to ensure the dog gets enough vitamins and minerals, Goldstein said. Pet parents can add supplementary items individually or buy a pre-made vitamin and mineral mix to stir into the food.
Another key to a successful homemade dog diet is consistency. If youre changing the food each day, it will be harder to ensure the meals are balanced, said Goldstein.
Morgan, takes a different approach, preferring to rotate things so that if there is an imbalance, it can be made up for somewhere else. Talk to your veterinarian about which option is best for your dogs diet and your budget.
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Our Favorite Homemade Dog Food Recipes For Senior Dogs By Ann
11 September, 2018
A healthy, nutrient-rich diet is important for any dog, regardless of age. However, for senior dogs, its even more essential. Being mindful of what and how much your older pooch eats can go a long way in helping to manage common issues associated with dog aging, includingobesity. There are lots of high-quality, specialty dog foods available and Ive had great success with some of them but they can be expensive. Making your own dog food is a more affordable alternative to commercial versions and youll be able to control what goes into it. If youre concerned about your pooch missing out on nutrients, adding supplements can be helpful too.
Be sure to keep any food allergies or dietary restrictions in mind and talk with your vet before starting your dog on a diet of homemade food, particularly if they suffer from any health conditions. You might also need to adjust the ratio of protein to grains and veggies to accommodate your dogs needs. With that in mind, here are a few of my favorite homemade dog food recipes for older dogs that contain tasty,safe ingredients.
We Aren’t The Only People That Have Converted To Making Homemade Dog Food And Are Loving The Results Check Out The Links Below For More Homemade Dog Food Recipes Your Pup Will Love
Homemade Dog Food Recipe from College Housewife || Elizabeth’s sweet dog Rascal suffered from all sorts of health issues which led them to having him allergy tested. Turns out Rascal was allergic to all sorts of things – even beef! So, Elizabeth developed a homemade dog food recipe that is just perfect for Rascal’s sensitive belly that is filled with ground turkey, sweet potatoes, carrots, and zucchini squash and macaroni noodles!
DIY Homemade Dog Food from Damn Delicious||Chungah’s dog Butter’s battle with stomach issues led her to start making dog food at home. This recipe is easy to make and super good for your pups too! It combines a delicious blend of 50% protein, 25% veggies and 25% grains and is made of ingredients like ground chicken, brown rice, shredded zucchini, spinach, carrots, and peas.
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We Arent The Only People That Have Converted To Making Homemade Dog Food And Are Loving The Results Check Out The Links Below For More Homemade Dog Food Recipes Your Pup Will Love
Easy Crockpot Dog Food from Damn Delicious || This simple homemade dog food recipe combines ground beef, brown rice, kidney beans, butternut squash, carrots, and peas in the slow cooker so you can set it and forget it!
Homemade Dog Food Recipe from College Housewife || Elizabeths sweet dog Rascal suffered from all sorts of health issues which led them to having him allergy tested. Turns out Rascal was allergic to all sorts of things even beef! So, Elizabeth developed a homemade dog food recipe that is just perfect for Rascals sensitive belly that is filled with ground turkey, sweet potatoes, carrots, and zucchini squash and macaroni noodles!
DIY Homemade Dog Food from Damn Delicious||Chungahs dog Butters battle with stomach issues led her to start making dog food at home. This recipe is easy to make and super good for your pups too! It combines a delicious blend of 50% protein, 25% veggies and 25% grains and is made of ingredients like ground chicken, brown rice, shredded zucchini, spinach, carrots, and peas.
Always Get Your Vets Approval
If your dog suffers from medical issues, you might need to adjust certain veterinary-endorsed diets. Ask your own vet about your dogs specific nutritional needs as well as for a recommendation for a certified veterinary nutritionist. The three of you can find a homemade diet that meets your pups dietary requirements. Whether your dog has specific medical problems or not, you should always tell your vet that your dog eats a homemade diet. You should also add veterinarian-recommended supplements to the homemade diets basic components.
Want to learn more about your dog and his diet? Check out the differences between Hard and Soft Dog Food, Dog Food Ingredients Explained, and Why Some Dogs Rub and Roll In Their Food at Cuteness.com!
This article is provided by Cutenessthe go-to destination for passionate pet parents. Cuteness has answers to all of your health, training, and behavior questions as well as the cutest, funniest, and most inspiring pet stories from all over the world.
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How To Make Homemade Dog Food:
Making homemade dog food is a cinch! Heres a quick rundown of the process:
- Brown the turkey. Heat a large skillet or pot over a medium-high heat. Add in the coconut oil and turkey and sauté until it is browned and cooked through, about 10 minutes.
- Add the veggies. Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the zucchini, spinach, carrots and turmeric. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables are tender.
- Mix in the egg. Turn off the heat and and crack in the egg. Let the egg cook in the hot food, mix it around to ensure it mixed through and cooked through.
- Stir in the rice. Add the rice and stir it in with the other ingredients until everything is well combined. Cool and serve!
What Kind Of Snacks Can I Feed My Dog With Kidney Disease
Our dogs walk a bit on the wild side when it comes to snacks as they love thin apple slices, banana chunks, carrots, whole unsalted peanuts in the husks, and dehydrated sweet potatoes! Dogs with kidney disease should avoid meat based chews/treats that are high in phosphorus, so you may find that you need to explore doing friendly fruit and veggies for treats like we have. We still on occasion will offer Hooch bully sticks or a jerky treat, but it is better for him if we limit his intake due to the levels of phosphorous that those treats contain.
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Foods Not Safe For Dogs:
The most important thing to know when making homemade dog food for your dog are the foods they should NOT eat.
You can do a quick google search for an all inclusive list or buy a doggie cookbook for reference. Heres a list from the Humane Society of foods that can be poisonous to pets. Be sure to take the necessary precautions if you plan to start cooking for your dog, but also know, theres really not that much to worry about!
Here are some common human foods that should not be fed to your dog:
- Garlic
So We Went To Work & Spent The Days/weeks That Followed Researching Canine Kidney Disease Like Hooch’s Life Depended On It
After reading what felt like every article on the internet we were excited to know that there were a few really easy lifestyle changes we could immediately make at home. We hoped some of this would really help Hooch and make things easier on his kidneys. Here are a few of thebiggest impact changes we’ve been able to make:
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Filtered Or Distilled Water Only
The kidneys main function is to filter out the toxins in our bodies. Since tap water can be loaded with chemicals and contaminants it is best to only give your dog clean, filtered water to drink. If you have a dog living with kidney disease like we do, you may also want to eventually invest in a slow water feeder. Dogs with kidney disease can get quite thirsty and will actually start drinking water too fast which causes its own unique set of problems.
Making Homemade Dog Food Is A Big Time Commitment
Finding the time to prepare a healthy meal for yourself and your family is often difficult, let alone preparing your dogs meals from scratch.
Prepping meals in advance for the week can helpfor example, preparing one large batch on a Sunday and dividing it into meal portions for each day would minimize the daily time commitment.
Also, recipes can be made to be freezer-friendly, so large batches can be prepared in advance and stored for future use.
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You Must Provide A Nutritionally Balanced Diet
Dogs nutritional needs are different from our own, so its important to provide a diet that is balanced with the appropriate nutrients needed to optimize your dogs health.
These nutrients include calories to maintain weight or encourage weight gain or loss protein fat vitamins and minerals. Not enough or too many of any given nutrient can lead to diseases, malnutrition, obesity, and even death.