Can Dogs Eat Canned Or Frozen Vegetables
Its best to avoid giving canned vegetables to a dog because canned vegetables could contain way too much sodium for your dog to safely handle. Frozen vegetables are a great option when preparing a dogs meal, just make sure they are plain, frozen vegetables and not in a spicy or oily, buttery sauce.
I make homemade dog food in large quantities and freeze it on a monthly basis. I shop the sales and of course try to buy in season when vegetables are in abundance.
However, when shopping out of season, frozen bagged vegetables are a solid back up plan when making my dogs meals.
Scrambled Eggy Spinach And Salmon Gourmet Dog Food
For a more gourmet selection and if your pet is a big fan of salmon and eggs, this recipe is going to be the highlight of its day. Eggs are actually good for your dog as they have good digestible protein and a range of vitamins while salmon has a great dose of healthy oils!
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 can of skinless salmon
- 1/2 cup of thawed spinach
For the full recipe and instructions check out Lifehack
If you have tried out any of these recipes, do comment which was your favorite or how you would improve some of these recipes further. Feel free to add more recipes in the comments if its one that you would like to share with the community!
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.
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Start With A Good Recipe
Many dog food recipes fall short in certain nutrients, especially iron, copper, calcium, and zinc. Even some recipes created by veterinarians don’t measure up. The University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine tested 200 recipes, many written by vets. The researchers found most of the recipes were short on some essential nutrients.
The best way to make sure a recipe has what it takes is to choose one created by an expert with training in dog nutrition, says Jennifer Larsen, DVM, PhD. That might be a certified pet nutritionist or a PhD-trained animal nutritionist with experience making pet food. Your vet should be able to point you in the right direction.
Your pet needs protein , fat and carbohydrates . They also need calcium , and essential fatty acids .
And if that’s not enough to consider, if your dog has a health problem, they may need a special diet. You may need a pet nutrition expert to create custom recipes.
Continued
Quick & Easy Peanut Butter Treats / Puppy Leaks
Does your dog love peanut butter as much as mine does? If so you cant go wrong with this simple dog treat recipe its a staple in my house. Youll need 2 cups of flour, 1/2 cup peanut butter and 2 eggs. Mix the ingredients together until combined, and then add water until it becomes wet enough to roll out as dough.
3 ingredients + water, 20 minute cook time
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Delicious And Healthy Dog Food Recipes You Can Make At Home
As the global outbreak of the COVID-19 outbreak exceeds 660,000 infected people at the time of writing, more governments are implementing stricter movement control orders in a bid to curb the spread and to flatten the curve. This impacts how often we can go out to get daily supplies and a 10kg bag of dog food may not be the best use of the limited space available for stocking up.
However, you can make delicious and healthy dog food right at home from ingredients you already have, and your pet would thank you for it. With your spare time from the lockdown, here are 10 popular recipes that you can try out from home for your pets.
Birthday Bones/ All Recipes
This dog treat recipe is perfect if youve got some fun cookie cutters on hand. And since its peanut butter based its pretty much guaranteed to be a hit with your dog. I have yet to meet a dog who doesnt go bonkers for PB. For this recipe youll need 2 cups of whole wheat flout, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1 cup unsalted natural peanut butter and 1 cup skim milk.
Four ingredients, 20 minute bake time at 375 F.
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Diabetic Home Made Dog Food
If your dog has a diabetes problem, this recipe may be a lifesaver. The author has made this diabetic dog food recipe for seven years now and has run through her vet for approval. With the main ingredient consisting of a beautiful yellow bean from India called chana dal that ranks incredibly low on the GI chart, its a good complement to your pet’s diet.
Ingredients
- 1 can Libbys 100% Pure Pumpkin
- 2 bags frozen broccoli cuts
- 2 bags frozen crinkle cut carrots
- 2 bags frozen green beans
- 2 packages frozen chopped spinach
Directions
For the full recipe and instructions check out Myuntangledlife
Vet Approved Homemade Dog Food Recipes For A Thriving Pup
Despite all of the commercially available dog foods that are on the market nowadays, many dog owners are turning to homemade recipes to keep their dogs healthy. Homemade meals offer greater control over what your pup is putting into their body.
Not only can you cater recipes to meet your dog’s particular size, breed, and activity levels, but you can also address unique medical concerns or dietary restrictions. Instead of taking a stab at the dark and hoping that your dried kibble contains good ingredients,
you can make your canine companion’s meals yourself and know for sure.
Before you start whipping together canine meals, there are a few things to know.
First, you should steer clear of table scraps and processed human foods. It’s important to remember that there are many things that dogs are allergic to.
Secondly, the dietary needs of your dog are much different from your own. The goal of homemade dog food recipes is to create a balanced diet that beats what you can get in your local pet food aisle.
There are many vet-approved recipes out there to get you started. These recipes are endorsed by licensed professionals, so you can have peace of mind knowing that they’re a healthy option. You should also consult with your own vet to make sure that your dog’s unique needs are being met.
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Be Mindful Of Existing Health Conditions
Just like with humans, when it comes to dogs, salt can be more dangerous for some than in others . For example:
Kidney Disease. Dogs with impaired kidney function should not be given salt at all, and when they are fed any sodium, it must be under strict vet supervision.
Heart Disease. Large doses of salt can put a bigger strain on the heart and increase blood pressure in dogs.
Liver Disease. Sodium can cause a buildup of fluid in the abdomen.
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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Common Mistakes When Cooking For Your Dog
Not Using Trusted Sources
There are many inadequate, and sometimes dangerous recipes, available to owners, says Dr. Larsen. There are now many studies demonstrating that most of these are not balanced.
Some of these may cause deficiencies in your dogs diet, while others may lead to an excess of certain nutrients. To avoid encountering unhealthy or dangerous options Dr. Larsen and Dr. Bartges recommend avoiding generic recipes from books or online sources. Some so-called nutrition experts are without proper training, and may do more harm than good.
Larsen and Bartges also suggest consulting BalanceIT.com, a site run by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist, to help create a semi-individualized diet.
Not Preparing Balanced Meals
When you dont prepare balanced meals that are individualized to your pets needs, it can come at a cost. Nutrition deficiency can lead to diseases, such as malnutrition or obesity, and can ultimately be fatal.
Each of the ~40 essential nutrients required by dogs has a specific role in the body. When they are provided in inadequate concentrations, the function is not optimal and suffering may result, explains Dr. Larsen. Similarly, nutrient excesses can also cause illness. While the impact of an unbalanced diet may be mild and not even noticed or attributed to the diet by the owner, these problems can also be very severe, and pets do not always survive.
Relying On Multiple Diets To Create Balance
Using Unsafe/Unhealthy Ingredients
An Alternative To Home Cooking
Cooking for your pet is a process thats demanding on your time, labor, space, and finances, says Dr. Larsen.
Home cooking is not for everyone, though, and it doesnt have to be. Another option to provide your dog with whole ingredients is to get carefully prepared ready-made meals.
There are commercial foods that can be purchased that contain whole ingredients that are pre-cooked. Which is very close to cooking, notes Dr. Bartges.
So, while you might think that cooking for your dog is better for their health, it can be just as beneficial to purchase pre-prepared food thats made with the same principles in mind. Whichever method you choose, just to make sure you are always catering to your dogs individual health and nutrition needs.
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How Much Homemade Food Does Your Dog Need Per Day
If your dog is a PUPPY ,
If your dog is an ADULT , he should eat 2-3% of his body weight each day.
More sedentary adult dogs can be fed the lesser percentage, while very active adults can be fed the higher.
The average adult dog usually does best in the middle of the range, about 2.5% of their body weight per day.
| 1.5 to 2 lbs daily divide into two meals | |
| 100 lb dog | 2 to 3 lb daily divide into two meals |
If your dog is between weights, get out your calculator! Multiply his weight by 2% and also by 3%. That will be his range, and again, most dogs do best in the middle.
- For very small breeds , I usually feed the high end of the range . Toy breeds have a faster metabolism that burns through food more quickly.
- For very large breeds , I usually feed the low end of the range, as their metabolism is slower.
Adult dogs should eat two meals a day, so you need to divide the total amount of food into two smaller meals, as shown on the chart. Dogs who eat only once a day experience an empty stomach and may even spit up white froth or bile. Think of how our own stomachs growl and how we feel irritable when we’ve gone many hours without eating.
Our Favorite Homemade Dog Food Recipes
Weve written up some of our favorite dog food recipes to share with you. To jump to a recipe youre interested in, click on the link below. We also have some yummy organic dog treat recipes and treats made with Thanksgiving leftovers.
You may wish to have a collection of pet food recipes on-hand at all times, making a cookbook an excellent choice. Dinner PAWsible is one of our favorites.
Note: The recipes below do not include serving size because portion sizes will vary depending on breed, weight, activity level, age, and the health of your dog. A common recommendation is to feed your dog a comparable amount of ounces/cups to what you would usually feed in kibble BUT check with your vet to be certain.
- Minerals & Vitamins: Vitamin D, Calcium, Iron, Potassium
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Complete Nutrition From A Veterinarian
With that being said, homemade dog foods can require a significant amount of time and effort to get right. Homemade dog food needs to contain all the nutrients that your dog needs to be healthy, but those nutrients also need to be included in the right amounts so that your dog doesnt get too much or too little of any nutrient. A veterinary nutritionist has specialized training to help pet parents like yourself make nutritionally balanced meals for your dog. The recipes in this article have all been reviewed by our veterinary consultant with this goal in mind.
Its a good idea to have the recipes in this article handy in case you happen to run out of dog food. Treat your dog as you would any of your other family members by preparing nutritious food from trusted ingredients.
What Are The Benefits Of Homemade Dog Food
Homemade dog food can benefit your canine companion in a number of ways especially if you have a pet who suffers from allergies, skin problems, or gastrointestinal sensitivity.
Highly-processed foods also tend to lose nutritional value, whereas making dog food from scratch maintains more of the vital nutrients during the cooking process. With fresh food, you know exactly what your dog is getting versus reading the label and being confused by all the included additives and preservatives.
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Which Oils Are Best For Homemade Dog Food
Despite what you have read on the internet or seen from TV personalities, soybean, corn, or canola oils are much better choices for homemade dog food than coconut, flaxseed, olive, or walnut oils.
âWhy?
âThe answer is bioavailable essential fatty acids. The essential, omega-6 fatty acid, linoleic acid, is extremely important for human and dogâs immune system to fight bacterial, fungus, and viral infections. It is the primary essential fatty acid in the walls of skin cells that keeps skin waterproof. Linoleic acid keeps skin moist and keeps fur full and healthy.
The other bioavailable, omega-3 essential fatty acid in soybean, corn, and canola oil is alpha-linolenic. This fatty acid makes sure omega-6 fatty acids donât get out of control producing chemicals that kill or inhibit infectious agents. Alpha-linolenic acids also temper allergic reactions by reducing histamine release that causes itching and scratching in allergic dogs. It also reduces the inflammation in diseases like joint arthritis and inflammatory intestinal conditions. Alpha-linolenic acid also gives your dog that soft, shiny fur.
But donât other oils contain linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid?
âYes, but not in a form the body can readily use!
You and all other mammals, including your dog, do that very poorly. So poorly, that dogs fed coconut, flaxseed, olive oil or the other oils may eventually lose fur, lose the softness and luster of their fur, and may develop sores on their skin.
Chicken Dog Treats / Kols Notes
Laika loves chicken, and these homemade dog treats make her go insane just a fair warning. Youll need a cup of diced chicken, half cup of cooked rice, 3 tablespoons of rice flour, tablespoon of parsley, and one egg. If you dont have chicken on hand you can dice up your pups favorite meat for this simple recipe as a substitute.
Five ingredients, 20-30 minute cook time.
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Grains In Homemade Dog Food
Dogs do not need to eat grains for a complete and balanced diet, nor do they need to eat beans and legumes. Grains and beans arent bad for dogs, they just arent an essential part of the canine diet. As a filling source of protein, these starchy ingredients can be included in your dogs meals from time to time, but they should not be main ingredients in the homemade diet you design.
What Nutrition Guidelines Should You Follow
Just like humans, every dog is different, so this is not meant to be a one-pup-fits-all rule.Serving size, your dogs weight, health conditions, size, and activity level are all factors you should take into consideration when determining whats right for your dog.
However, in general, there are six basic nutrients required for dogs to maintain a healthy, balanced diet: water, protein, fat, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins. A mix of these nutrients provides energy for your dogs body to metabolize and grow.
To make sure your dog is getting all the vitamins and minerals he needs, you may want to add a fully balanced nutrition blend, like one of these blends from Just Food For Dogs. And, in addition to meals, you may also want to add a multivitamin like Zesty Paws Multivitamin Chews to make sure your pup is getting the recommended balance of vitamins and minerals.
Check with your vet before adding any type of supplement to your dogs diet, because over-supplementation of vitamins and minerals can sometimes have serious health consequences in dogs.
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