For dogs to remain healthy, they require a balanced diet with the correct amounts of protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals.
However, many homemade recipes fail to account for this. The reason is simple: Altering ingredients can throw off the balance of a dish.
Contents
Protein
Protein is an essential nutrient for your dog’s body and plays an integral role in the repair of cells, tissues, organs, antibodies and hormones. Not only that but protein also aids in absorption of specific vitamins, boosts the immune system’s strength and encourages healthy skin and hair growth.
Your dog’s diet should contain a balanced amount of protein, depending on his age, activity level and other factors. Adolescent dogs and pregnant pooches require more protein to support their growth and lactation.
Create homemade recipes with high-quality, nutritious ingredients such as beef, chicken, turkey, fish and beans; rice, sweet or white potatoes; eggs; and an assortment of vegetables. Your pup is sure to love it!
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are essential in nutritionally complete homemade dog food recipes to provide energy. Examples of carbs that can be included are whole grains (oats, barley, wheat and rye) or fruits.
Carbohydrates can also provide your pet with essential vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients for optimal wellness. Examples of such nutrients include niacin, vitamin B6, folate, iron, and magnesium.
However, high-glycemic carbohydrates such as sugar and refined grains can create issues for your dog. These may lead to excessive insulin production, leading to weight gain and other health problems.
Fat
In addition to proteins and carbohydrates, dogs require the correct amount of fat. This includes both animal-based sources like chicken & turkey without bones, beef & lamb in moderation, pork in moderation as well as plant-based sources like olive oil, sesame seed oil, flaxseed oil, walnut oil, soybean oil or cod liver oil.
Saturated fats and unsaturated fats are both essential for energy production and health, but it’s essential to remember their distinct roles within the body. Saturated fats help create more concentrated forms of energy while unsaturated fats provide quicker nutrient absorption.
Vitamins
Vitamins are vitally important for your dog’s overall wellbeing. Not only do they aid in keeping him healthy and prevent disease, but vitamins also promote proper digestion and reduce inflammation.
Zesty Paws Multivitamin Chews can help ensure your dog gets the recommended balance of essential vitamins and minerals through their food. It may also serve as a great supplement for homemade diets, particularly for dogs who may not get all necessary nutrients from food sources.
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies in dogs can have serious repercussions for their health, including weight gain, skin problems, brittle nails, poor mental function, gastrointestinal issues and more. For instance, lack of vitamin D could result in skeletal development defects, immune system dysfunction and cognitive impairment.
Minerals
Minerals are essential in every cellular process in your dog’s body, performing regulatory and structural functions. They help regulate body temperature and provide energy.
Vitamin C helps the body combat potentially hazardous free radicals and strengthens the immune system. Furthermore, this nutrient plays an integral role in producing red blood cells and normal nerve fiber formation, among other advantages.
Magnesium plays an essential role in bone and acid development, neuromuscular transmission, and calcium absorption. It can be found in many foods like whole grains, nuts, wheat bran, molasses, fish, and legumes.
Iodine has many beneficial effects, including improved thyroid health, weight loss assistance and reduced anxiety and aggression. Unfortunately, this nutrient can be hard to locate in many foods so it’s best to look for it in supplement form or through homemade recipes.
