Tuesday, March 19, 2024

What Are The Best Ingredients For Homemade Dog Food

Why Feed Homemade Dog Food To Your Poodle

Essential Ingredients for Homemade Dog Food

Food allergy is one of the most common allergies or hypersensitivities known to affect dogs, and poodles are no exception.

Common signs of skin allergies in poodles include excessive itching, red sores, chewing and biting of feet, eye and nasal congestion, and a dull coat2. Unfortunately, the traditional kibble we feed our poodles often contains food allergens such as proteins, especially those from dairy products, beef, chicken, or gluten .

Additionally, Poodles are more likely to suffer from a rare inflammatory skin disease known as Sebaceous Adenitis which may also result from food allergens. This condition can leave their skin itchy, dry, scaly, and cause hair loss. but may also result from food3.

While skin allergies can occur anywhere on their body, it is common to see your poodle biting excessively at its paws. If you notice any problems in your Poodles legs, paws, or tender underbelly area, food allergies may be the culprit.

Furthermore, deep-chested breeds like poodles are more susceptible than others to bloat, also known as Gastric Dilation and Volvulus, according to VCA Hospitals. The Animal Medical Center says, hot food, cold food, big kibble, little kibble have all been touted as causes of bloat. Bloating in Poodles is an emergency condition that can kill your dog.

If you suspect that your poodle has bloat or allergies, seek the help of a veterinarian without delay.

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

Balanceitcom Makes It Safe To Feed Homemade Dog Food

Multiple studies have analyzed hundreds of recipes for homemade dog food. Invariably, the recipes are found to be deficient in one or more vital nutrients.

One of these studies done in 2013 looked at more than 200 recipes and found that only a handful of them were nutritionally complete and balanced. And all of those were written by veterinarians!

It is possible to create safe, nutritionally complete and balanced dog food at home But it requires a lot of careful analysis based on data that are difficult to find as a consumer.

These days, making safe dog food is as easy as choosing a few ingredients, typing them into free online software, and ordering a powdered supplement to make sure your recipe has everything your dog needs. And these recipes are safe to be fed every day, long-term.

If you are the owner of a healthy adult dog, check out the free recipe software at BalanceIT.com. You can choose from hundreds of common and exotic food items to produce a recipe and instructions for making safe, nutritious dog food.

You will also order their recommended supplement to make it complete and balanced. Ive been using these products for years, and I know that dogs accept them. The supplement is easier to use and is no more expensive than buying a bunch of separate supplements.

If your dog has specific health issues or is under the age of 12 months, you can purchase a custom recipe made by one of Balance ITs veterinary nutritionists.

Also Check: Where Is Natural Balance Dog Food Made

The Benefits Of Making Homemade Dog Treats

When it comes to making dog treats at home you might be asking yourself if its worth the effort. I love making treats, but the benefits go beyond just making my dog happy.

When it comes to dog treats I prefer making my own rather than buying them. Its nice knowing exactly whats going into your dogs treats, and I love being able to control the portion size. Some of the other benefits of making homemade dog treats include:

  • You know all the ingredients included in your dogs treats
  • You can easily adjust the portion size
  • Theyll make your kitchen smell awesome
  • Theyre a great way to practice your baking skills
  • Your dog will getting an extra special treat made by you
  • Youll have a nice supply of training treats on hand
  • Baking can be relaxing
  • Making dog treats fosters creative expression

And if youre interested in more dog treat recipes be sure to check out our list of 39 Healthy Snacks You Can Stuff in a Kong& 20 Frozen Dog Treat Recipes.

Feed Smaller Meals More Often

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Dogs with kidney problems often feel better when fed several small meals throughout the day rather than just one or two large meals. You may find that you need to adjust your feeding schedule as time goes on to keep your pup comfy! Hooch has really benefited from smaller meals throughout the day and seems to have much more energy all the way into the evening.

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Make Your Own Dog Food Recipes

At the beginning of your homemade dog food journey we recommend that owners stick to canine diets endorsed by animal care professionals or veterinarians. Commercial dog food is certified by a governing board that requires it to stick to rigorous standards that ensure the food complete and balanced. And you wouldnt want anything less for your pup when youre the chef!

According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials a complete and balanced dog food meets a dogs nutritional needs at whatever stage of life shes in. Likewise, its important for you to provide homemade nutritionally complete recipes. How do you know this is the case for the recipes you use? According to Jennifer Larsen, DVM, PhD, you cant go wrong using a recipe by, a certified pet nutritionist or a PhD-trained animal nutritionist with experience making pet food.

Tip: Save Time With Petplate

Want to make life a little easier? PetPlates here to help. Our vet nutritionist, Dr. Renee Streeter, has been with us since day one, crafting each of our recipes to ensure theyre both highly palatable and perfectly balanced.

With four recipes to choose fromall made with high-quality, human-grade, and whole-food ingredientsyoure bound to find one that your dog loves. Plus, meals are delivered right to your door and on your schedule. Youll have more time to spend with your furry family members, backed with the peace of mind that youre serving them the best.

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Is Homemade Dog Food Better

Because you can provide natural ingredients and organic ingredients for your dog, its often better to make your own.

There are two main things to consider with homemade dog food: quality control and bioavailability. By taking these points under advisement, you can determine whether homemade food is best.

Quality control

When youre responsible for making your pets food, you have complete control over ingredients. This process allows you to know where the ingredients come from and what goes into the formula.

Since pet parents have significant concerns about store-bought food quality, this can give you peace of mind.

On the other hand, youre solely responsible for ensuring your pets get the nutrition they need. As youre likely not a veterinarian, this is a huge responsibility for any owner. Be sure to discuss with your vet what your homemade dog food recipes typically contain.

Fortunately, you wont have to worry about dealing with the big name recalls from pet food manufacturers.

Bioavailability

Bioavailability is another advantage to homemade dog food because fresh food has far more nutrients. If you compare grocery produce to processed food, far more vitamins and minerals are ready to be consumed.

Although, it is important to remember that no matter how precise you are, your pets could be lacking nutrition. This reason is why adding a multivitamin to your dogs daily routine should be essential with homemade meals.

Healthy Homemade Dog Food Recipes

Homemade Chicken Mince Dog Food Recipe (Limited Ingredient)

ByKathryn Rosenberg11 October 2021

Quick and nutritious, these homemade dog food recipes will let you have a sublime tasting meal on the table for your canine companion

When it comes to spoiling your beloved pooch, these homemade dog food recipes have got you covered with nutritious ingredients and easy to follow instructions that come together to create a taste sensation for your foodie fur baby.

Theres nothing more convenient than cracking open a bag of ready-made, high quality dog food, but with many pet owners now choosing to create their own, you may well be considering following suit, especially if you find that your pooch is a fussy eater or you want to take full control of your dog’s diet. However, it’s important to note that alongside the benefits of homemade dog food, there are also drawbacks. Any significant change to your dog’s diet is well worth a chat with your veterinarian.

But we know how much you love spoiling your canine companion from time to time and what better way to do that than by cooking up a storm in your own kitchen?

With that in mind, weve compiled a selection of our favorite homemade dog food recipes that are simple to make, are packed full of essential vitamins and minerals, and best of all? They taste jaw-droppingly delicious!

Also Check: Does Dog Food Taste Good To Dogs

A General Guideline For Preparing Homemade Dog Food

My DIY dog food recipe is more of a general guideline, rather than an exact meal plan that I follow each week. My dogs diet changes the same way ours does, depending on what we do and what we buy or grow.

However, we almost always stay with this basic formula:

  • 50 percent cooked protein
  • 25 percent cooked complex carbohydrates
  • Fats and supplements
  • Eggshells

Protein is always meat and usually chicken, though weve also used turkey, pork, and beef. We feed any and all parts of the animals, but most commonly, we saute chicken breasts or chicken thighs in coconut oil and ground turmeric.

Coconut oil has a host of health benefits for dogs, such as improving the skin and coat, increasing energy, aiding digestion, reducing allergic reactions, promoting wound healing, preventing yeast and fungal infections, and supporting arthritis or ligament problems.

Turmeric has long been studied for its powerful medicinal properties, including its use as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.

We add it to the coconut oil since it is fat-soluble, and use it to support our pugs joint health.

Speaking of dark meat, we feed thighs and breasts interchangeably. While well remove the skin from poultry and trim off excessive fat from red meat, we dont worry about buying the leanest meat possible for our dogs.

A little fat is necessary for a well-rounded diet.

They tend to be the leftovers in our produce bin, so we never have to buy, say, a whole head of cauliflower just for the dogs.

Get The Latest Recipes Right In Your Inbox:

Keep your dog healthy and fit with this easy peasy homemade recipe its cheaper than store-bought and chockfull of fresh veggies!

I never thought I would be one of those dog owners who made homemade human food for their pups. Not in a million years.

But when Butters recently fell sick with an upset stomach, our vet advised us to feed him a bland diet chicken and rice without any kind of seasoning. So thats what we did we poached a chicken, shredded it in a food processor, and mixed in some white rice and fed him this bland diet for 3 days.

Thats when I started to do some research on homemade dog food, and I have been so amazed as to how many different kinds of vegetables dogs can have. And with the help of Balance IT, you can create so many different recipes for your pup!

Now the best part about making homemade dog food just like making anything at home is that you know exactly what is going into the dog bowl, and not any of that questionable gelatinous gunk from the canned food.

But its important to note that dogs have different nutrient requirements than humans for their proportional body size, such as:

  • High-quality protein
  • Fat
  • Calcium
  • Essential fatty acids
  • Now this recipe here has a balance of 50% protein, 25% veggies and 25% grains, but the ratios can easily be adjusted to suit your pups breed and/or needs.

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    Homemade Dog Food For Doberman Puppies

    Puppies have different nutrition requirements than adult dogs.

    Puppies need higher levels of protein, fat, calcium, and phosphorus when compared to adult dogs. If these levels are not adequately met it can result in deficiencies, stunt growth, or lifelong complications.

    The National Research Council recommends puppies get around twice as many calories as do their adult counterparts of the same breed. Many people believe that they need to change their puppys calorie and food amount daily because they are always growing. However, thats not necessarily true. To promote normal growth, most puppies need to be fed the same number of calories, and food, from about 4 months of age to 12 months of age, says veterinary nutritionist Dr. Justin Shmalberg DVM, from Nom Nom.

    Doberman Pinscher puppies should eat 4 to 5 times a day. When your puppy is a bit older you can switch to 3 meals daily at scheduled intervals.

    While puppies are developing, its not advised to skip a meal to encourage proper growth and development. A puppys diet needs to be a proper balance of proteins, carbohydrates, fat, minerals, water, and vitamins, as outlined in our nutritional guidelines earlier.

    How Can A Homemade Diet Help Dobermans With All Of This

    5 Best Homemade Dog Food Recipes Your Dog Will Love (2020 ...

    A homemade fresh diet plays a key role in decreasing food-related allergies in Doberman Pinschers since it removes all those dangerous chemicals that often cause food sensitivities and allergies in this breed.

    Cooking for your pup also puts you in control of the ingredients in the recipe, meaning you get to select only those ingredients that are safe for your pup. If you dont know what foods your Doberman Pinscher is allergic to, we highly suggest doing an At-Home Food Dog Allergy Test before selecting the ingredients for his next meal.

    As for dilated cardiomyopathy, there is a genetic component to the disease in Dobermans. However, a diet of legumes like peas, lentils, and potatoes can increase the risk of complications from DCM12. Dog kibble that is often labeled as grain-free does contain these starches. When you cook dog food, you can devise a meal plan to treat DCM and avoid these dangerous ingredients that may worsen this condition.

    Homemade fresh dog food can help with chronic active hepatitis because home-cooked meals have a higher bioavailability , putting less stress on the liver, which is affected by hepatitis. And because dogs with CAH have excess copper, cooking allows you to customize a non-copper diet and add supplements like zinc to support this condition.

    Home dog food is also easy on your dogs digestive system which contributes to a healthier gut, less bloating, and better overall health.

    Also Check: Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Low Fat Lf Dry Dog Food

    Salmon & Sweet Potato Dog Treats / Kols Notes

    These homemade dog treats are perfect for training because theyre soft, making them easy to break into small bite sized pieces. Theyre also great for older dogs who dont love super crunchy treats. Youll need one can of salmon, one medium sweet potato, two eggs, one third cup coconut flour, and coconut oil for greasing the pan.

    Five ingredients, 60-70 minute bake time.

    What Kind Of Snacks Can I Feed A Dog With Kidney Disease

    Our dogs seriously LOVE snack time, but snack time has had to seriously change! Dogs with kidney disease should avoid meat based chews/treats that are high in phosphorus, so you may find that you need to explore new types of treats for your dog instead. My probiotic rich Pumpkin & Yogurt Bowlsare our dog’s favorite treat these days! They also really enjoy thin apple slices, blueberries, and fresh banana chunks. When it comes to crunchy chews they both are SUPER into dehydrated banana chips, pumpkin, and sweet potato. I swear, our dog’s drool for them like they are the jerky chews we used to treat them with!

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    Best Dog Food Recipes

    Dog food made at home should be nutritionally complete and balanced just like the high-quality dog food you buy from a store.

    Its not that easy to create a recipe like this and its even less easy to make it perfectly day after day week after week. But it is possible and if you are truly interested in making food for your dog, check out my resources below.

    Diy Homemade Dog Food

    The Best Homemade Dog Food Recipe (Healthy and Cheap)

    Want to start your dog on homemade dog food tonight? This recipe from Damn Delicious is one of the fastest recipes on this list.

    INGREDIENTS:

    • ½ cup peas, canned or frozen

    DIRECTIONS:

    • Cook rice according to package instructions and set aside.
    • Heat olive oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add ground turkey and cook until browned, about 3-5 minutes, making sure to crumble the turkey as it cooks.
    • Stir in spinach, carrots, zucchini, peas and brown rice until the spinach has wilted and the mixture is heated through about 3-5 minutes.
    • Let cool completely before giving it to your dog.

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    Sweet Potato Fries For Dogs / Beagles And Bargains

    We all need our veggies, and luckily sweet potato seems to be quite popular with our canine friends. For this homemade dog treat recipe youll need a sweet potato, coconut oil, cinnamon, and turmeric. These are a great way for both you and your pup to get in some of your daily vegetable servings theyre delicious.

    Four ingredients, 30 minute cook time.

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