Making Your Own Dog Food
Check Out The Best Selling Raw Dog Food
Of course, there was lots of advice about feeding dogs long before there was commercial dog food. Perhaps not surprisingly, most of it was similar to what we know about feeding dogs today. For example, some owners were advised to give their dogs liver and heart from deer, along with milk, cheese, and bread . Beloved pets usually ate better than yard dogs.
Today we have come full circle and many owners like the idea of making their dogs meals instead of feeding them a commercial diet. There are a number of benefits of making your dogs food.
Getting Healthy With Dog And Cat Food
Peruse pet stores, and you’ll see lots of trends that reflect the human specialty and natural food trends: We all want good, clean food. Just like the shift toward natural foods in human foods, pet owners are embracing fresh, clean ingredients.
These trends drive success at the small business level, as with startups like Castor & Pollux and The Farmers Dog. The shift toward a more health-conscious pet owner mentality continues to open up new market opportunities for an aspiring small-business owner.
But Wait Be Sure To Transition Your Dog Into Its New Diet
We humans have stomachs of steel and can hit up any buffet and pick and choose what we want.
Dogs, however, are a little different in that they need to transition into new foods. If you dont properly introduce your pup to its new food, then it might experience diarrhea, vomiting everything else you dont want to happen on your new rug.
So be sure to gradually introduce your dog to the new food routine. Heres what PetMD recommends:
- Day 1: Mix 20% of the new food with 80% of the old.
- Day 2: Mid 40% of the new food with 60% of the old.
- Day 3: Mix 60% of the new food with 40% of the old.
- Day 4: Mix 80% of the new food with 20% of the old.
- Day 5: Give Pooch 100% of its new food.
If at any point any of the above symptoms start occurring, switch back to the old food and call your vet.
For more information on switching dog food and special circumstances, PetMD has more information.
Your Turn: Are you up for the challenge, or do you already make your pups food? Share your favorite affordable recipes in the comments!
Carson Kohler is a junior writer at The Penny Hoarder. Shed like to give a shout out to her favorite dawgs, Bandit and Dimples.
This article would have been a disaster without the help of editorial intern, Haley Gonzalez. Shed like to give a virtual hug to her golden retriever, Oakley.
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Can You Add Fruit
Absolutely! Fruit has a lot of nutrients that are great for dogs. Just don’t go overboard with it. We often use what is in season or what we have in the freezer. We like to use some kind of berries – strawberries or blueberries are best. Do NOT use grapes as they are very bad for dogs. You can add fruit before or after cooking, just beware that if you cook with blueberries, your dog food will turn purple
Benefits Of Learning How To Make Your Own Dog Food
With the ability to know how to make dog food, youll control the ingredients that your pet consumes. Although there is plenty of responsibility regarding knowing how to make homemade dog food, it can be worth it.
You might be able to save money and ensure that your pets are getting optimal nutrition with supplements. Be sure to create a balanced diet for your canine, filled with all natural ingredients. Vitamin D in high doses can be harmful to dogs.
Related dog info:
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Did You Make This Recipe
Tag on Instagram and hashtag it #thismessisours
Home Made Dog Food recipe for the Holidays
This 100% human grade home made dog food recipe utilizes some of the best fall produce for your dog like sweet potatoes, cranberries, rosemary, and sage. Its perfect for every day feedings and does double duty as a really delicious holiday meal for your dog!
Pumpkin and Yogurt Bowl for Dogs Recipe
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day for all of us, even our dogs! Get your dogs day off to a great start with a healthy dose of protein, vitamins, and minerals by feeding him/her a delicious Pumpkin and Yogurt Bowl for Dogs. These yogurt bowls are filled with good for your dog ingredients like fat free Greek yogurt, 100% pure pumpkin puree, plant based vitamin and mineral powder, and my Homemade Dog Food Seasoning which is a blend of 5 herbs that have extraordinary health benefits for your dog!
Homemade Dog Food Seasoning Blend recipe
Cooked Vs Raw Diets For Puppies
There’s no doubt that home-cooked diets for puppies can be healthy when done correctly, but what about raw food? There is much controversy over raw food for dogs. The AVMA and other agencies warn of the risks of dangerous pathogens in raw pet food. Some other experts see the potential benefits of raw food for healthy adult dogs. However, puppies are a different story. Raw food may contain dangerous pathogens that can lead to illness in people and some dogs. Like children, young animals may not have the immune systems to fight off pathogens found in raw food.
If you feel you can safely handle raw food and you are willing to assume the risks, talk to your veterinarian about transitioning to raw food when your puppy gets older. In the beginning, you might choose to offer a combination of cooked and raw foods to see how it works out.
Raw diets should never be fed to dogs coming into contact with immunocompromised humans. In addition, raw diets are not recommended for dogs with immune system issues.
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Is Homemade Dog Food Good For Dogs
While I am not a vet, and I certainly cant speak for all animals I can tell you that switching to homemade dog food made a world of difference for Rascal. We had a very unique case with him and his food allergies, but we have also seen other positive changes.
On traditional dog food, Rascal was lethargic, he shed in abundance and his appetite was mediocre. Since the dog food switch, he has been energetic, focused and calmer. On a traditional diet we were vacuuming at least once a day but now 1-2 a week. We no longer have to coax Rascal into mealtime and have finally developed a great eating schedule.
Transitioning To Homemade Dog Food
Most dogs dont have a problem making the switch to homemade food. If yours is prone to digestive issues, start slowly by mixing a little bit of the homemade food with the commercial food.
Over the course of a week or two, gradually increase the amount of homemade food while decreasing the commercial food.
If your dog vomits or has diarrhea, try introducing only a couple of new ingredients at a time until their systems are well adjusted to the fresh diet.
For dogs with health issues, please consult with a veterinarian if you arent sure what kind of supplements are needed. Use your best judgment, the way you would when feeding yourself or your family.
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Add All Ingredients To A Pot On Medium Heat
You can substitute other types of ground chicken or canned fish for this. Just like with humans be careful with too much tuna. In a study on canned salmon, mackerel, and tuna the salmon, mackerel, and light tuna in the water had the lowest mercury levels.
Drain liquid out of the can of salmon or mackerel before use.
Add in the chicken liver and the vegetables you chopped in step 1.
Add the remaining ingredients including the dry brown rice.
Choosing The Right Diet For Your Pet
The diet that you ultimately decide on for your pet will, of course, depend largely on your pet , your budget, and your schedule.
There are meals that can help with diabetes, healthy coats, arthritis, allergies, weight loss, and diarrhea.
There are also recipes specific to puppies or senior dogs.
Here are a few resources:
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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.
Best Homemade Dog Food Recipes
“Why make dog food at home when you can just buy it at the store?”
The #1 reason is simply this: Control. You have full control over every single ingredient with no surprises.
Dog’s with allergies, sensitivities, or intolerance can live a happy life and you can live worry free. Which is why we like making grain free treats at home too.
The second reason is money savings! When it comes to healthy dog food the top brands are quite expensive, but you can simply use the same ingredients at home and save an absolute ton.
Of course, the next biggest concern is your time investment.
But surprisingly this isn’t as bad as it looks, and with just an hour or less per week you can make enough food to last for several days. We recommend you make use of a some big ziplock bags or containers and freeze what you’re not immediately using.
Each recipe allows for customization based on your dog’s individual nutritional requirements and tastes. But, before you get started you must speak with a Vet to see what your dog should and should not eat, as each dog’s diet will vary.
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Diy Homemade Dog Food With Chicken
If you think about a dogs closest modern relative, the grey wolf, Pendelton AL, et al. . Comparison of village dog and wolf genomes highlights the role of the neural crest in dog domestication. DOI: 10.1186/s12915-018-0535-2 it makes sense that a canines diet should incorporate at least some produce perhaps a few greens in the belly of whatever omnivorous animal the wolf hunted down .
To that end, this recipe includes some of the other ingredients youve seen already, plus a few cups of spinach. Dogs dont need much in each serving a little greenery goes a long way.
Pro tip: You can also sub in ground turkey for this recipe.
Keys To Successful Pet Food Brands
To start, profitable brands are offering organic dog and cat foods with simple recipes and whole-food ingredients we might use at home. Old-time companies like Bench & Field Pet Foods keep Fido healthy and owners guilt-free with free-range chicken and natural or organic ingredients. Grain-free dog foods are a growing trend, too.
Pet snack foods and treats that are freeze-dried also echo the shifts in human snack foods. Freeze-dried foods are crunchy, attractive, convenient to store, and tend to retain nutrients. The key is to research what’s out there and how our own specialty- and natural-food trends might trickle into pet food formats and flavors that have yet to be developed.
The opportunity is, essentially, for entrepreneurs to offer relief and peace of mind to health-conscious pet owners. Making pet food at home can be risky and may not provide the nutrients a dog or cat needs. Many health-conscious pet owners may start to make food at home, then turn to store-bought brands either out of weariness or realizing there’s more to making healthful pet food than they can handle.
Also Check: Dr Pol Cat Food Reviews
You Have To Switch Your Dog Gradually To A Homemade Diet
Switching from a commercial diet to a homemade diet, or even varying the ingredients in a homemade diet, can cause some dogs gastrointestinal upset.
Make changes to your dogs diet slowly, over at least a couple of days, to allow your dogs stomach time to adjust to the new food.
If you see any signs of decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, or a change in stools, talk with your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Tip: Give Your Dog Supplements
My vet said this recipe was very well balanced.
However to assure me that my dog was getting all the proper vitamins that my dog might need, he suggested I give my dog VetriScience Canine Multi Pro – Extra Vitamins, Minerals, Essential Fatty Acids, and Probiotics – Important for Homemade and Raw Diets – 60 Soft Bite-Sized Chews
He would suggest this supplement for my dog if he was eating store bought food as well.
You can find cheaper supplements if you do some research. This is just the brand we use.
My dog is also older. He is at the age where he needs joint supplements.
He is a picky eater and has snubbed his nose at several different joint supplements that I have tried to offer him.
I buy the beef flavor. It is all natural with great ingredients.
He thinks he is eating a treat when I give him his little square chew!
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What Kind Of Homemade Snacks Can You Make A Dog
- Peanut butter: Rascal has his own dedicated jar of peanut butter. He loves a traditional Kong but you can also mold and freeze peanut butter in any shape for a quick frozen treat. When the jar is almost finished I break out my peanut butter spoon.
- Greek Yogurt Ice Cream: In the summer we blend up unflavored Greek yogurt, fresh berries, and peanut butter. Place a spoonful or two into a silicone cupcake pan and freeze for a few hours. These make for a great dog ice cream.
- Dehydrated Sweet Potatoes: Rascal’s favorite easy treat. We love bringing these over to family and friends’ houses so Rascal always has a healthy treat on hand.
Easy Homemade Dog Food Crock Pot Recipe With Ground Chicken
Chicken, kidney beans, butternut squash, and green beans served over a bed of white rice? Not only is this recipe super simple to make, this is basically a regular stay-at-home dinner for humans. Why not?
Chicken livers also work great in this recipe, though we understand if you are now less keen to take a bite. Make extra servings so you can store plenty of leftovers in the freezer.
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What Is The Most Important Ingredient To Include
You need to feed your Yorkie plenty of protein. Its the most important element to include in a balanced diet. Animal protein is best and will provide your dog with the fuel that he or she needs to be as healthy as possible. You can also use dairy, but you should remember to include at least some animal meat in the food itself. Eggs are an excellent choice also.
Recommended Serving Amounts For Homemade Dog Food
As a general rule, dogs will eat around 2 to 3 percent of their ideal body weight in fresh food daily. Larger breeds may need as little as 1 1/2 percent, and smaller breeds may need as much as 4 percent.
This works out to be approximately:
- 2 pounds of food per day for a 100-pound dog
- 1 to 1 1/2 pounds of food per day for a 50-pound dog
- 1/2 to 3/4 pound of food per day for a 25-pound dog
- 5 to 6 1/2 ounces of food per day for a 10-pound dog
There is much variation in what the ideal amount should be as it depends on how much your dog weighs and how active she is.
I feel that the best approach is to feed and watch if your dog is losing weight, give more, and if your dog is gaining weight, give less.
For our pugs, we feed a scoop each in the morning and a scoop each in the evening, plus all their supplements.
We have an easy system for this: homemade food is refrigerated in a sealed container with a measuring cup , and all the supplements are lined up together in a cupboard in the kitchen. Keeping your ingredients organized and accessible will make feeding time fast and smooth.
Compared to feeding commercial food, where you might scoop out kibbles or open up a can, feeding homemade food with all the supplements takes maybe 10 seconds more. And even if it took 10 minutes more, fresh wholesome food for our furbabies is worth it.
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Important Ingredients In Your Dogs Diet
In general, homemade recipes should contain a high-value protein source , a fat source , a fiber-containing carbohydrate , and a phytochemical source . Substitutions can be made: for example, if you know your dog likes whole-grain pasta, substitute pasta for barley as a carbohydrate source. Some dogs, , hate veggies but will eat fruit, so use fruit instead.
Yogurt, cottage cheese, beans and tofu can occasionally be used as protein sources, but keep in mind that not all dogs can tolerate dairy products beans or soy may turn them into a tooting machine or cause them to experience other gastrointestinal âissues.â Test your dog’s tolerance with small quantities before serving them a whole meal.