How Much Food Should You Feed Your Dog
The amount of food you feed your dog will depend on your dog’s size and activity level. Here’s our recommendation for daily servings if you’re following our homecooked or homemade dog food recipes:
- 1/4lb. or 1/2 cup: for a 10-12lb. dog
- 1/2lb. or 1 cup: for a 20-25lb. dog
- 1lb. or 2 cups: for a 40-50lb. dog
- 2lbs. or 4 cups: for a 100lb. dog
Ingredients Needed For This Homemade Dog Food Recipe:
This DIY dog food made at home is filled with rich protein, vegetables, and healthy grains. Heres what youll need:
- Coconut oil provides a variety of health benefits for dogs, such as improving the skin and coat, increasing energy, aiding digestion, and reducing allergic reactions, just to name a few. And just like us, your dog needs healthy fats in their diet.
- Ground turkey will add necessary protein to your dogs diet, as well as important vitamins and minerals.
- Veggies this homemade dog food recipe uses a mix of zucchini, spinach and carrots. All are safe for dogs and will provide your baby with a variety of nutrients.
- Turmeric a dog-safe seasoning that also provides antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Egg for extra protein and nutrients.
- Rice a complex carb that provides energy and aids in gastrointestinal function.
How To Make Diy Dehydrated Dog Food At Home
At todays market, there are lots and lots of different types of dog food. Some may prefer a raw diet, and some may prefer feeding their pups with sensitive stomachs cooked food.
Today we are talking about dehydrated dog food which is similar to freeze-dried dog food but not quite. Keep reading this article to find out more about the differences and similarities between these two and also how to make your own dehydrated dog food.
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Which Type Of Dog Is Hills Science Diet Best Suited For
Hills is suitable for pretty much any dog out there. They make food for dogs of all ages, from puppies to seniors, as well as for all breeds. Their foods are particularly good for those with health issues, though, as they carry a range of dog foods meant to help with common health problems such as obesity, joint issues, food sensitivities, digestive issues, and more.
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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There’s No Healthy Homemade Dog Food Recipe That’s A Perfect Fit For Every Dog
While these recipes can sometimes be a better choice than commercial diets.
Feeding this way can also be detrimental to your pet’s health if you’re not paying attention to the nutritional content of these meals and comparing them with nutritional requirements.
Well-balanced meals are key. For example, if your homemade dog food meal contains too many vitamins, it could cause vitamin toxicity.
On the other hand, if it doesn’t provide the dog with enough nutrients, it will cause nutrient deficiency or malnutrition.
You must also know how much to feed your dog and what portions of these healthy homemade dog food recipes are appropriate.
Know also what supplements you’ll need to include to make up for the lack of nutrients that your pet requires.
Resources For The Chef
- Your best resource and first stop is your dogs veterinarian, who knows your dog and has a thorough understanding of his health history and current condition.
- A good resource to help find a veterinary nutritionist for a homemade diet consultation is the Diplomate directory at www.acvn.org. If there isnt a nutritionist in your area, you can consult with one remotely.
- An alternative option is to use the online consulting service called BalanceIT, a site operated by a veterinary nutritionist to formulate a basic, nutritionally balanced recipe.
- The American College of Veterinary Nutritionists has prepared an informative brochure, called Your Dogs Nutritional Needs: A Science-Based Guide for Pet Owners
- Answers to frequently asked questions are provided here: ·
- The Veterinary Medical Center Clinical Nutrition Service provides a list of common mistakes pet owners make when choosing and preparing homemade diets:
- Another site that provides answers to your questions is: Ask the Nutritionist
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Why Do Dogs Need Homemade Food
Makers of commercial dog food products may want you to believe otherwise, but feeding your dog with homemade food is actually good for him.
Perhaps the most obvious benefit is that you can personally choose the ingredients to be used in the dog food. This is very critical if your dog has allergies, or you just want to spare him from consuming certain ingredients.
You can also be assured that the food you are giving him is 100% safe. In times when dog food recalls due to possible contamination have become a very common occurrence, you will have peace of mind knowing that the food your dog is eating wont make him sick.
It is also possible to save time and effort when you prepare your dogs food. Preparing foods in large branches would let you do so, as you would be able to freeze smaller portions which you can feed to your dog later on.
Of course, you get to benefit from preparing your dogs food, too. While preparation may take up time, you can save a lot of money in the long run especially if you buy ingredients in bulk.
Do Dogs Live Longer On Homemade Food
Is it true that dogs who eat the appropriate diet live longer? Canines health and wellness improve when fed with homemade dog food without artificial additions, preservatives, or chemicals.
It also helps people live longer lives by reducing obesity and the prevalence of illnesses .
According to a Purdue University study, replacing just 25% of your dogs food with actual food, such as high-quality freeze-dried kibble or leafy greens, can reduce cancer risk by up to 90%.
According to a study published in Belgium titled Relation Between the Domestic Dogs: Well-Being and Life Expectancy, A Statistical Essay, dogs fed a high-quality, homemade diet lived 32 months longer.
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Homemade Chicken Dinner For Dogs
As you have learned from the earlier recipes, dogs cant get enough of chicken. This explains why we are using this poultry again for this simple dinner for our canine friends. Moreover, this simple DIY food for dogs makes use of vegetables like cabbage and spinach. You will also use apples to make this recipe.
You can also swap out some of the veggies used in this recipe, like carrots for red cabbage. But you should cook carrots if you decide to use them because the orange veggies arent the easiest foods for dogs to digest.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
It is up to you what type of chicken to use. You can use whole chicken which includes the heart, liver, and neck. Of you can settle for boneless skinless chicken breast, or frozen chicken breast which is best when cooked.
Step by step guide:
- Chop up the chicken and put in a suitable sized pot. Bring it to a boil.
- Reduce to a simmer then add the remaining ingredients. Let it simmer until the chicken is done.
- Remove the pot from the stove. Add the eggs and olive oil once it is cool then stir.
You can keep the leftover in an airtight container and then put this in the refrigerator. The meal should be safe enough for your dogs consumption up to five days.
As for the serving, you can give a large dog up to 2 ½ cups of this food which should last for 2 days.
Salmon Scramble For Dogs
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup canned butternut squash
- 1 Tbsp. ground flaxseed
Directions:
Cook chicken thoroughly in a skillet. Drain chicken fat and set aside. Blend eggs in a blender with a shell then stir into the chicken. Cook chicken and egg mix until cooked through.
Add 2/3 cup chicken mixture, 2 tbsp. carrots, 1/3 cup rice, and 1/3 cup chicken broth to blender and puree. Mix leftover chicken with carrots and rice in a large bowl. Stir in puree until combined thoroughly. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper and spoon out round portions. Allow cooling completely before serving. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
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Turkey And Rosemary Dog Food Recipe
This is another incredibly simple recipe. You probably already have these ingredients in your kitchen! All you need is a package of frozen vegetables, ground turkey, rosemary, and rice.
If you want to feed your dog human-grade food without the hassle of having to prepare the meals yourself, you need to try Spot & Tango.
Their pre-packaged meals full of human-grade ingredients get delivered right to your door, so all you need to do is pop them into your dogs dish!
Ready to get started? Right now, you can save 50% on Spot & Tango HUMAN-GRADE premium dog food by clicking here!
Can My Dog Eat Faq
So many readers are asking if these vegetables for dogs safe? So let’s go through some of the most asked questions.
Can dogs eat bell peppers?
Yes. Bell peppers are loaded with essential vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants beneficial to a dogâs health. Rich in vitamins A, E, B6, and lutein and are great sources of vitamin C and beta-carotene. Red bell peppers actually start out green and mature to red. They pack the most nutrition because they’ve been on the vine longest.
Can dogs eat potatoes?
Yes. Cooked potatoes in moderation are fine. Boil, steamed, or baked without seasoning are fine. They contain a number of nutrients including vitamins A, B6, and C, as well as minerals like magnesium, iron, calcium, and potassium. Raw potatoes should never be fed to your dog. Like other vegetables belonging to the nightshade family , raw potatoes contain solanine, a compound that can be toxic to dogs.
Can dogs eat broccoli?
Yes. Broccoli is best served as an occasional treat. It is high in fiber and vitamin C and low in fat. However, Broccoli florets contain isothiocyanates, which can cause mild-to-potentially severe gastric irritation in some dogs. Furthermore, broccoli stalks have been known to cause obstruction in the esophagus. Chop up the broccoli for your pet.
Sassy girl, is happy. Okay, she didn’t like the spinach and pulled it out! But loves the rice and beef.
The trick I learned was to chop it finer than seen here and she gobbled it all…
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Snacks To Pair With Home Cooked Dog Food
- 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: Rascals favorite easy treat. We love bringing these over to family and friends houses so Rascal always has a healthy treat on hand.
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What Is The Best Diet For Senior Dogs
Senior dogs are more prone to health problems and may have a hard time eating. Homemade food or custom meals by the best dog food delivery service companies are the top options for these dogs because it is tailored to their needs.
Dogs that are over seven years old need a diet that is different from puppies. For example, they need less protein and more fat than younger dogs. The best senior dog food also comes in different flavors and textures so they can still enjoy their meal even if they have lost some of their teeth or have trouble chewing.
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Before You Start Cooking: Homemade Dog Food Needs To Be Balanced
Your homemade meal must contain protein, fiber and carbohydrates. Puppies require about 25 percent protein in their meals, while 18 percent is sufficient for adults. However, protein needs change according to your dogs age and vary according to breed, so check with your vet regarding the right amount for your dog. You might have noticed that commercial dog foods often dont list the percentage of carbohydrates. Thats because the proper percentage of carbs in the dogs diet is still not set in stone by the veterinary community and regulators. If youre making Fidos meals yourself, you have the freedom to purchase the freshest, highest-quality ingredients available. Make sure you weigh your dog frequently to verify he stays a healthy weight. Take your dog to the vet before starting the homemade diet so your vet can determine Fidos ideal weight.
Tips On How To Make Healthy And Nutritious Homemade Dog Food For Your Senior Dog
The best way to ensure that your senior dog is getting the right amount of nutrition is to make homemade dog food. This post will provide you with some tips on how to make homemade food for your senior dog.
There are many benefits of making homemade food for your senior dog. One of the most important benefits is that you are in control of what goes into your diet. You can also monitor their weight by measuring how much they eat and calculating their calorie intake.
There are a number of reasons why dog owner may make their own food for their pet. For example, some people find that the quality and natural ingredients of homemade food are preferable to commercial products. Others make their own dog food because they want to avoid potential toxins found in commercial products. Whatever the reason, its important to make sure that youre feeding your dog a healthy and nutritious diet.
If youre making your own dog food, there are a few things to consider. First, not all dogs will like the same diet or even enjoy the taste of homemade food. Some dogs may prefer a diet that is high in fat or protein, while others may be healthier on a diet that is lower in fat and protein content. Much of this depends on your individual dogs preference.
You will need different equipment depending on the type of dog food you want to make for your senior pooch.
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Watch For Warning Signs
Because our dogs cannot speak to us in words, we must rely on the signs they give us. Your dog may exhibit a variety of signs that indicate a health problem. Just like you, your dog can develop a mild illness that resolves on its own, so not all signs are reasons for alarm.
Many dogs will instinctively try to conceal signs of serious illness. Learn what to watch for and how to act appropriately before the illness becomes out of control. If your dog is displaying signs of illness, contact your vet right away.
How To Transition Your Dog To Homemade Dog Food
Abruptly changing your dogs diet could cause them gastrointestinal distress, if you catch my drift, and thats not fun for anyone.
If youre currently feeding your pup store-bought dog food, start the transition by replacing a portion of their regular food with homemade.
For example if your dog eats 1 cup of food a day, replace 1/4 cup of that food with homemade dog food and mix it in. Do this for a few days, then up it to 1/3 or 1/2 of the food.
Dogs with sensitive bellies may require an even slower transition. Trust me on this one youll thank me for it later. In the long run, it will be better for your dogs digestion.
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Should You Cook Your Dogs Food
Is cooking dog food at home really better for your pup? While there may be claims made to that effect, theres no hard scientific evidence to support it.
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 fearmongering within the pet food industry. This is often driven by myths about ingredient quality. 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.
Think of it as eating the same highly processed food for every meal, day after day, for years, he affirms.
Put that way, feeding your dogs a variety of whole foods makes a lot of sense. In fact, there are a multitude of reasons why you might want to prepare homemade foods for your dog, according to Dr. Larsen and Dr. Bartges.
These include gaining control over your dogs diet, appeasing picky eaters, combatting food intolerance issues, concern over food recalls, or simply for the bond-building joy of preparing a home-cooked meal for your dog.