Monitor Weight & Health
Weighing your dog on a scale regularly is the best way to keep an eye out for a healthy weight.
Monitoring your dogs weight is key as you transition to a raw food diet. An unbalanced diet can lead to excessive energy, skin or coat disorders, allergies, weight loss, malnutrition, or obesity. If you notice any of these symptoms, immediately stop feeding your dog this food and consult with a professional dog nutritionist.
Track your dogs weight and health closely for about a month to ensure that he is not adversely affected by the new diet.
Its important to work alongside your vet to ensure the diet maintains nutritional adequacy.
What Foods Should Dogs Never Eat
Before crafting a raw recipe for your pup, learn which foods are safe, and which can send your dog straight to the emergency vet.
Avoid these toxic dog foods in your recipe.
- Chocolate
- Raw bread dough
- Alcohol
For a more extensive list, check out this handy list you should consider having on your refrigerator as a reminder.
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
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Pork & Fish Dog Food Recipe: With Calcium Supplement Adult
Feeding pork is a great addition to your dogs raw diet. Pork has great advantages. Its very digestible. If its pasture raised, its higher in omega-3 fatty acids than factory-farmed meat. And it has more vitamins, especially vitamin E.
But pork diets can be hard to formulate. Thats because theyre quite high in omega-6 fatty acids. Thats why you want to add fish to help balance out the fats.
Whole fish is a great addition to your dogs diet and this recipe. Its high in omega-3 fats and contains important nutrients like protein, calcium, selenium and niacin.
Add sardines fresh, frozen or canned. They pack a nutritional punch. Mackerel are also a good option.
Heres the full recipe: Raw Pork & Fish Raw Dog Food Recipe: Adult
Best Homemade Dog Food Recipes: Vet Approved And Nutritionally Complete
This content was reviewed by veterinarian Dr. JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM.
To keep the lights on, we receive affiliate commissions via some of our links. Our review process.
Imagine if you had to eat the same food every day of your life. Beyond being painfully dull, wouldnt you question whether youre getting a nutritionally complete and balanced diet? Welcome to a dogs life. Long ago, before commercially produced dog food, dogs ate many of the same foods as humans. Theres a reason our dogs beg for our food theyre meant to eat a variety. Weve cooked up some tips on how to make dog food, nutrition guidelines, and our favorite homemade dog food recipes.
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Diy Slow Cooker Dog Food
We got excited about a weeks worth of dog food, but this recipe takes it up a notch and makes three weeks worth, making it that much easier to switch to making doggie meals from scratch.
Made with chicken, beans, sweet potato, apple, carrots, and any other dog-friendly add-insPSA: make sure to check with your vet before changing your pups diet!this recipe would also make for a great fall stew .
Meat With Tomato For Puppies
This recipe is one of our homemade puppy food options which is completely grain free. It is usually enjoyed by puppies and should go down a treat. You will need:
- 200 g stew meat
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How Much Homemade Dog Food Should I Feed My Dogs
If youre just getting started on your homemade pet food journey, general best practice is to feed your dog 2-3% of its body weight. This will definitely vary from dog to dog, so Id highly recommend speaking to your vet before going homemade. Generally speaking, for every 20 lbs your dog weighs, you give them roughly 1 cup of prepared food.
In terms of how frequently you should give your dog homemade dog food, its entirely dependent on the recipe and your dogs weight, age, breed and overall health conditionsthis is something you should talk to your vet about.
Dog Food Recipes: Puppy Stew
It is easy to learn how to provide our dogs with nutritious, delicious homemade meals that are reliably safe and made with little or no fuss. Youll find that dogs love this recipe for homemade dog food stew, and it is easy to make with basic ingredients that you have at home.
Directions for this incredible stew recipe include mixing your favorite chicken meat, some brown rice, or barley, then add in your dogs favorite vegetables. Browse our list of dog-friendly superfoods and vegetables to inspire your inner chef.
Go beyond Puppy Stew with three more recipes that are sure to please your pups taste buds and keep them healthy.Fidos Fricassee
This homemade stew recipe for dogs comes from pet nutritionist Roschelle Heuberger, PhDs article on how to save money with homemade dog food. Learn about the nutritional and financial benefits of feeding your dog home-cooked meals in addition to, or in lieu of, commercial dog food.
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Homemade meals may even make it possible to feed your dog well for less. A 15-pound bag of high-end dry dog food costs approximately $42, and a 5.5 oz. can of high-end wet food runs approximately $2. Feeding a medium-sized dog two cans of wet mixed with two cups of dry food costs about $5 per day. That doesnt include the treats, bones and tidbits that inevitably make their way into her tummy! Compare that with four cups of Puppy Stew at $2.25 per day.
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How Much And When Should You Feed Your Dog
This will vary from dog to dog, but a general rule of thumb is for every 10 lbs your dog weighs they should be fed roughly 1 cup of prepared food.
For our 80 lb Hooch, that means 2 meals a day each containing 4 cups of food. It is important to note that, dogs with kidney problems often feel better when fed several small meals throughout the dayrather than just one or two large meals, so you may find that you need to adjust your feeding schedule as time goes on accordingly to keep your pup comfy!
Homemade Dog Food Recipes
Want to try your hand and learn how to make homemade dog food? The classic proportions are 50% protein , 25% vegetables, and 25% carbohydrates . But which ingredients should you use, and how can you make sure your dog food recipe is healthy?
To help you find the best recipes, weve put together this list of 10 healthy dog food recipes to try today. Making dog food at home can save you money and give you more control over what your dog eats. Scroll down to try one of our favorite homemade dog food recipes! And if you have questions, take a look at our recipe tips at the end.
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Homemade Raw Dog Food: The Bottom Line
Now you know all about raw diets and even learned how to make raw dog food of your very own! We hope these four raw dog food recipes help you get started on your pups new diet. Even though theyre uncooked, these recipes will take quite a bit of ingredient gathering. Time to make friends with a butcher or try one of our other dog food recipes.
More dog food recipes:
How To Make Homemade Dog Food
Some small kitchen appliances and tools are needed to properly make dog food including:
- Food Processor: Before I start cooking a batch of homemade dog food, I blend up all the vegetables in my food processor. This Cuisinart food processor is my go-to. Its a bit smaller than traditional food processors but works just as well as a larger model. Blending up the veggies nice and fine will speed up the cooking process.
- Dutch Oven: I make the entire batch in my large Le Creuset round Dutch oven. I love using a Dutch oven because I can ground the meat first, and then finish off the batch right in the same pot. The process is very similar to making chili except for dogs. Ya know Dog Chili.
- Measuring Cups: Rascal has his own set of measuring cups now because it makes measuring out food ingredients and the finished batch WAY easier.
- Meal Prep Containers: This is basically meal prepping for your dog, so you will need some great Tupperware. I love using these stainless steal Tupperware bins made just for pups.
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At The End Of 2019 During Our Yearly Vet Check We Received The Devastating News That Our 11 Year Old Dog’s Blood Work Showed That He Was In Stage 4 Kidney Failure
Honestly, I was a basket case, how on earth did we miss this? He seemed like he was just dealing with some symptoms of getting older – frequent urination, sometimes excessive water drinking. It definitely didn’t feel like life-threatening symptoms. As much as the diagnosis was a shock, the price tag of the prescription diet he would need to eat for the remainder of his life was pretty horrifying too!
Fiber Filled Homemade Dog Food Recipe
If your pet has constipation problems, give this recipe a try. You can also separate it and freeze it for future use. Put 2 meals worth of homemade dog food into Ziploc bags and thaw them overnight. You can get around 2 weeks of food from this recipe, but be sure to check with your vet to find out how much homemade dog food you should be feeding your pet. When its time to feed your pet, the author recommends to use a double boiler to heat the food up.
Ingredients
For the full recipe and instructions check out Running to the kitchen
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You & Your Dog Will Love Diy Dog Food
- Homemade dog food vs store bought – advantages are you can control the ingredients for allergies which can cause health issues.
- Peace of mind ther are no unwanted preservatives, fillers, and shelf stabilizers.
- Packed with fresh leafy greens and colorful vegetables.
- Cooked raw meat like ground beef, ground turkey, or ground chicken can be used in this homemade recipe, it is going to taste better than dog foods that sit in a bag or on the shelf.
- Senior dogs lose their appetite and need soft food in small pieces as sometimes they don’t have all their teeth to chew.
- You can use up ingredients you have on hand from your freezer and not throw them in the trash.
Easy Homemade Dog Food Recipe
Jump to RecipeMy easy homemade dog food recipe combines lean ground sirloin, wholesome brown rice, fresh vegetables, hard boiled eggs, and tender herbs
***Please note, I am not a veterinarian, just a very passionate dog owner! The information in this blog post documents our own personal experiences, research, and the recipes that we feed our dogs under our veterinarian’s careful supervision. Please, consult with your vet and use your own personal judgment when considering transitioning to a 100% human-grade food diet for your pup. This post was updated with video August 16, 2020, updated with additional recipe links 9/14/2020, updated 1/7/2021 with metric measurements, updated 1/3/2022 with recipe links for hydrating meals.***
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Resources For The Chef
- Your best resource and first stop is your dogs veterinarian, who knows your dog and has a thorough understanding of his health history and current condition.
- A good resource to help find a veterinary nutritionist for a homemade diet consultation is the Diplomate directory at www.acvn.org. If there isnt a nutritionist in your area, you can consult with one remotely.
- An alternative option is to use the online consulting service called BalanceIT, a site operated by a veterinary nutritionist to formulate a basic, nutritionally balanced recipe.
- The American College of Veterinary Nutritionists has prepared an informative brochure, called Your Dogs Nutritional Needs: A Science-Based Guide for Pet Owners
- Answers to frequently asked questions are provided here: ·
- The Veterinary Medical Center Clinical Nutrition Service provides a list of common mistakes pet owners make when choosing and preparing homemade diets:
- Another site that provides answers to your questions is: Ask the Nutritionist
When Fresh Herbs Are Not An Option
This easy to make custom spice blend combines dried parsley, basil, dill, rosemary, and oregano. I sprinkle on a little of the seasoning blend at every feeding for added nutrition. I know I’m contributing to fresh breath, happy tummies, and better long term health benefits for both of our dogs!
***Please note, I am not a veterinarian, just a very passionate dog owner! The information in this blog post documents our own personal experiences, research, and the recipes that we feed our dogs under our veterinarians careful supervision. Please, consult with your vet and use your own personal judgment when considering transitioning to a 100% human grade food diet for your pup. POST UPDATE 9/25/20 to add more information on ingredients. The original recipe is still the same***
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How To Transition Your Dog To A Raw Diet
Understand, some dogs have sensitive GI tracts. So, to prevent stomach issues, you need to transition to raw dog food, gradually.
Consider the following as a starting point:
Week 1: 25% new food and 75% old foodWeek 2: 50% new food and 50% old foodWeek 3: 25% new food and 75% old foodWeek 4: 100% new food
Some dog owners choose to start at 50% to simplify things but if your dog is hypersensitive, start at 25% . Extend the transition time to 5 weeks or longer if you feel it will make it easier for your dog to adjust.
Do not abruptly change your dogs food. It might cause upset stomachs, diarrhea, or vomiting.
Filtered Or Distilled Water Only
The kidneys main function is to filter out the toxins in our bodies. Since tap water can be loaded with chemicals and contaminants it is best to only give your dog clean, filtered water to drink. If you have a dog living with kidney disease like we do, you may also want to eventually invest in a slow water feeder. Dogs with kidney disease can get quite thirsty and will actually start drinking water too fast which causes its own unique set of problems.
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Proper Nutrition For Dogs
Like humans, dogs have nutritional needs that must be met in order for them to thrive. Dogs’ nutritional needs differ from our own, so you can’t exactly start sharing your own dinner with your dog. Feeding an incomplete or imbalanced diet can lead to vitamin and nutrient deficiencies in dogs.
Dogs need enough calories to meet their energy requirements. A dog’s daily caloric need depends on the dog’s life stage and activity level. Your veterinarian can help you determine how many calories your dog needs each day.
A homemade dog diet should contain an appropriate balance of protein, carbohydrates, fiber, and fat. Vitamins and minerals must be added to the food to ensure it is complete and balanced.
- At least 10% protein, such as chicken, turkey, fish, lean beef
- Up to 50% carbohydrates, such as rice, pasta, and potatoes
- About 2.5-4.5% fiber, which can come from vegetables like peas, green beans, and carrots
- At least 5.5% fat, usually in the form of vegetable oil
- Vitamin and mineral supplements
If you are ready to get started cooking for your dog, the first step is to talk to your veterinarian. Your vet may have recipes for you to try. Or you may need a referral to a veterinary nutritionist or a vet that focuses on canine nutrition.
Raw Boneless Turkey & Egg Dog Food Recipe: All Life Stages
Eggs are an easy addition to your dogs raw food diet. If you can get free-range eggs, even better. Most supermarkets carry them now. But Im still wary. Some egg cartons proudly proclaim Vegetarian Diet. Chickens are not vegetarian. You want eggs from free-range hens allowed to hunt and peck outside for worms and bugs.
To be sure, I get mine from farmers markets or directly from the farm. Ill take a drive through the countryside looking for farms. Those with laying hens often have a simple sign saying Eggs For Sale. Drive in, leave your money and take your eggs.
Now youre ready for this easy combination of turkey, organs and eggs.
Heres the full recipe: Raw Boneless Turkey & Egg Raw Dog Food Recipe: all life stages
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