No matter if you’re new to homemade dog food or have been making it for years, there are some things you should be aware of. Many homemade pet foods don’t provide enough essential nutrients which could lead to health problems in the future.
To prevent this, ensure your recipes are balanced and comprehensive. That means adding protein, fat, as well as various vegetables, grains, and supplements.
Contents
1. Ground Meat Base
Preparing your dog’s meals from home gives you complete control over the ingredients. This is a huge advantage for pet parents who want to avoid commercial kibble, which often contains slaughterhouse wastes, heavy metal contaminants and pesticides.
Homemade recipes provide your pup with enough quality protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals to meet his nutritional requirements. Plus they’re free of fillers like artificial flavors and preservatives found in commercial foods that may not be beneficial to your pup’s wellbeing.
Ground meat can be an ideal starting point for creating a nutritious homemade diet. Not only is it cost-effective and delicious, but also easy to work with.
Beef is an incredibly nutritious choice for your pup, and can be cooked in many different ways to create protein-packed recipes that your canine companion will love.
Chicken is a common ingredient in commercial and homemade dog food. It contains fewer calories than beef and more protein, though some pets may find it to be somewhat gamey.
Quail is becoming more widely available in grocery stores and butcheries alike. While it’s more gamy than chicken, quail still provides an incredibly nutritious source for some dogs as a meat alternative.
2. Vegetables
Vegetables are an ideal addition to your dog’s diet as they contain essential vitamins and minerals not found in other foods. These include vitamins C, B6, E and A, potassium, iron, fiber and antioxidants like beta-carotene.
Water can help keep your dog hydrated, as water makes up 60-70% of their total body weight. In fact, experts suggest that dogs get at least 30-60% of their daily calories from water consumption.
Homemade dog food recipes should include a range of vegetables, from cruciferous like broccoli and cauliflower to more healthful options like kale, spinach, peas and carrots. Broccoli is an excellent source of Vitamins A, C and K as well as antioxidant isothiocyanates.
Organ meats such as kidneys, heart and liver can be an excellent addition to a homemade dog food menu, since they contain more nutritional value than muscle meat. However, it’s essential to take into account your pet’s breed and age before making any dietary changes.
3. Grains
If your dog suffers from a grain allergy, avoid feeding them foods that contain grains. Instead, focus on providing them with vegetables like sweet potatoes or peas as an alternative source of carbohydrates.
When making homemade dog food, consider including cooked whole grains like oats and barley. These contain high fiber levels which help regulate digestion and eliminate toxins from their system.
Grains provide your pup with essential carbohydrates for energy, but be sure to limit their intake in order to prevent an over-consumption of carbs that could lead to weight gain.
Studies have suggested a correlation between dry dog foods with grains and an increased incidence of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a condition affecting the heart. However, other factors could also be at play here.
4. Supplements
When making homemade dog food, it’s essential to ensure your pup receives all the vitamins and minerals they require. Unfortunately, many homemade diets don’t provide all these essential nutrients, so supplements can fill in any gaps.
Proteins are an integral component of any dog’s diet, as they aid in muscle building and maintain healthy bones. Furthermore, proteins provide energy for active pups since they contain one of the most stable sources of calories.
Calcium is an essential nutrient for dogs, as they require it to build strong bones and muscles. A lack of calcium can lead to bone loss and heart issues over time, so adding calcium-rich foods like eggshells to your dog’s diet (or taking a supplement) is recommended.
Vitamin D is another essential nutrient for dogs, as they cannot produce it naturally from sunlight like humans can. A lack of this vital nutrient may lead to immune system issues, cognitive impairment and an increased likelihood of certain types of cancers.
