In today’s busy life, who has time to cook a meal anymore, let alone homemade dog food? A quick shake of the bag, and pooch is fed. Simple, really.
The problem with a bowl of “just kibbles” is that dogs need specific nutrients in their diets. And just because that bag you’re holding says it contains x% of something, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the right portion of whatever for your dog.
Figure 1: 6 essential nutrients needed for dogs
What are the benefits of homemade dog food?
A lack of nutrients (in dog owner’s views) is a good reason to start making homemade dog food for pooch over there. The quantities you serve must take your dog’s unique dietary needs, her breed, and her age into account. You will also need to consider any food sensitivities or allergies she may have, as well as any pre-existing medical conditions that could be impacted by the wrong diet.
You may even think that it’ll be too expensive in the long run, or that it’ll take up too much of your time. Consider for a moment then that you’ll be in complete control of what your dog eats, and how many nutrients she’s actually getting from a homemade dog food diet.
What ingredients can I use in homemade dog food?
Most pooch-parents make a few common nutritional mistakes when they first start cooking homemade dog food. This is to be expected, but before you rush off and collect a fistful of (what you hope are) good-quality dog food recipes from websites and blogs, be sure to check with your vet about the basics of your dog’s nutritional needs.
Remember that breed-specific needs take breed sizes into account, such as toy or small-breed dogs versus large or giant breeds. This approach also considers your dog’s teeth and energy levels/calorie count.
When thinking about making your own DIY homemade dog food, you may be tempted to think it’s all right to add human-food ingredients, but not all human foods are good for dogs. If (for example) your pooch is showing signs of itchy skin and a dry coat, think about balancing her diet with immune-boosting fatty acids, such as omega-3 and omega-6, both derived from a fish diet.
Protein is an essential ingredient for dogs, whose metabolic system differs from other animals. Dogs are carnivores not vegetarians, so including rich sources of protein such as venison, tilapia, pork loin, turkey, or beef is vital.
In days of old, a dog’s diet used to consist of roughly 14% carbohydrates. Today, that amount has increased to 50% or more, depending on the brand of kibble you choose. Carbs – and especially complex carbs – are essential for a healthy tummy, which also regulates a mammal’s immune system.
Cancer-busting carbohydrates in homemade dog food should be fiber-rich, such as wholegrain rice or pasta. Discovering what your dog prefers is a taste trial-and-error exercise, so don’t make too big a batch the first few times you cook.
Ingredients to avoid include managing food sensitivities. Gluten-based products are notorious for creating food sensitivities and allergies (although real allergies to food are rare in dogs). Consider replacing wheat-based gluten products with a natural rice product or even oatmeal. For those with poultry sensitivities, alternatives to chicken include turkey, duck, and ostrich.
The general advice about homemade dog food suggests a dietary balance by aiming for a ratio of 30-35% fats, 30% protein, and the balance split between complex carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. Work on a weight basis to get the quantities right, as percentages are a guide only.
When making dog food for your pooch at home, keep in mind that suggested percentages are just that: suggested. A consult with your vet – especially if they’re big on nutrition in dogs – will help you establish the right feeding ratios to maintain a well-balanced dog diet.
Making dog food at home and storing dog food is easy, once you get past doing it the first time. You may also find that homemade-dog-food cost versus bags-of-kibbles cost is negligible at best in the long run because there are many ingredients both dogs and humans can share at dinner time. It’s just the preparation and presentation that’ll change.
Here is a quick and easy basic recipe for healthy alternatives to conventional, store-bought dog food. For about 8 quarts (7.6 litres) of stew
You Need:
Choose From:
1 pound (450g) Protein
Beef; pork; lamb; mild sausage; chicken; turkey; fish or seafood; cheese
6 cups (990g) cooked grains
Rice (including brown rice); barley; oatmeal
4 to 6 cups (840 to 990g) “starchy” carbohydrate
Potatoes (including red and Yukon Gold); yams and sweet potatoes; pasta; bread
6 to 8 cups (990g to 1.2kg) vegetables and/or fruits
Carrots; celery; cabbage; green beans; peas; squash (including zucchini); spinach and other leafy greens such as kale, chard, collard; turnips or rutabagas; apples; pears
3 to 4 quarts (2.8 to 3.8 litre) liquid
Beef, chicken or vegetable broth; canned tomatoes with juice; milk; water
2 to 4 tablespoons fat
Vegetable oil (including soybean, canola and sunflower oils); olive oil; naturally occurring fats from meat, poultry and fish
Use this as a basic guideline, and then tailor it specifically to your dog’s likes. Feed dairy products (such as yoghurt and milk) and fruits (such as apples, pears, and blueberries) as snacks.
Pros and Cons of Cooking Homemade Dog Food
There are always going to be two arguments, either for or against homemade dog food. And you will always find arguments against this vegetable or that protein, too.
Rest assured, if you’ve consulted your vet, and observed your dog’s behavior, and done your homework on the best ingredients, you can’t go wrong on feeding her fresh, wholesome, home-cooked meals.
Pros:
- Absolute control over ingredients
- Healthy alternative to store-bought kibbles
- Easy to include in family’s dinner preparations
- Can be made in one pot
- Cost-effective over time
- Stores well in freezers and fridges
- Opens up a world of taste!
- A little time-consuming to prepare at first
- May smell a bit (depending on ingredients)
- Cannot be stored on the shelf except perhaps in the coldest of regions
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