Recipe Variations: What Natural Foods Can I Feed My Dog
Home-cooked dog food diets can be one of the best ways to keep your best friend happy and healthy. As always, check with your vet before testing a new dog diet, but here are some of my best recommendations:
- Protein: Rascal digests ground turkey really well but you can try ground beef, pork, chicken, lamb, and Rascals personal favorite: venison. If you dont have a meat grinder, you can ask your butcher to grind it for you or cut it up super fine before cooking.
- Vegetables: Spinach, butternut squash, cranberries, cauliflower, apples, green beans. Here is an entire list of AKC approved fruits and vegetables you can give your dog.
- Grains & Carbs: Rice, quinoa, barley, whole grain pasta, and potatoes can be great options. If you can believe it, Rascal is actually allergic to rice. I wish I were kidding.
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.
How To Find The Best Diet Dog Food
The best dog food for weight loss is one thats low in calories. Changing to a lower-calorie food may help, Dr. Zach Marteney, a veterinarian and medical director at Meadowlands Veterinary Hospital in New Jersey, told The Dodo.
Low-calorie choices may be available over the counter, but there are other dog food formulas made specifically for weight loss thatll require a prescription from your veterinarian.
There are even prescription foods for weight loss that are helpful, Dr. Marteney said. Ive used one for my dog in the past with great results.
Its important to pay attention to which foods come widely recommended by vets because thatll help keep your pup healthy on his weight loss journey.
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So We Went To Work & Spent The Days/weeks That Followed Researching Canine Kidney Disease Like Hooch’s Life Depended On It
After reading what felt like every article on the internet we were excited to know that there were a few really easy lifestyle changes we could immediately make at home. We hoped some of this would really help Hooch and make things easier on his kidneys. Here are a few of thebiggest impact changes we’ve been able to make:
Puppy Vs Adult Dog Food: Whats The Difference
It might be impossible to tell the difference between a bowl of puppy food and a bowl of adult food, but that doesnt mean both formulas are the same.
Puppies have different nutrient needs than adult dogs, says Dr. Angela Rollins, clinical associate professor of nutrition at the University of Tennessee Veterinary Medical Center and diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Specifically, puppies need different amounts of calcium and phosphorus adult foods dont contain enough of these essential nutrients for healthy bone development in younger dogs, Rollins says.
Puppy foods also contain higher amounts of docosahexaenoic acid , an omega-3 fatty acid that puppies need for healthy brain development.
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The Results From Feeding Our Diy Dog Food
Back to the story of Bug
After only a couple of weeks of feeding her a homemade diet, the hubby and I were blown away by how much her mental and physical health improved. And we wholeheartedly believe she was able to bounce back because of her new food.
She went from an ailing, exhausted, incontinent, tail-down dog to a happy, energetic, curious, communicative pup. While she isnt miraculously walking again, her hip dysplasia also hasnt progressed or caused her any pain.
Weve learned to watch for signs that she needs to relieve herself as weve realized she knows when she has to go, she just cant get there without our help.
We feed both of our pugs the same food, with the hope that we can stave off any potential health problems for our older one.
When we travel, well bring their homemade food on the road in a cooler. On occasion, weve even ordered their dinner from a restaurant when we ran out of food .
If were camping, well usually just feed them whatever were cooking in camp they love corn on the cob, hobo packs , and the whole assortment of tri-tip, sausages, and ribs that weve usually got going on.
As you might imagine they lovecamping trips!
Homemade dog food gives us the flexibility to fine-tune their diet as needed. Im forever grateful for the extra time we were given with our beloved Bug as a result of the food we chose to feed her.
Monitor Weight & Health
Shih Tzus tend to be picky eaters. Sudden changes to their diet can shock their system. They are at an increased risk of experiencing food allergies. Therefore, its important to monitor your Shih Tzus reaction to homemade meals. If you notice symptoms such as lack of energy, skin or coat disorders, malnutrition, or obesity, you will need to immediately revise your dogs and contact your vet.
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Snacks To Pair With Home Cooked Dog Food
- Peanut butter: Rascal has his own dedicated jar of peanut butter. He loves a traditional kong but you can also mold and freeze peanut butter in any shape for a quick frozen treat. When the jar is almost finished I break out my peanut butter spoon.
- Greek Yogurt Ice Cream: In the summer we blend up unflavored Greek yogurt, fresh berries, and peanut butter. Place a spoonful or two into a silicone cupcake pan and freeze for a few hours. These make for a great dog ice cream.
- Dehydrated Sweet Potatoes: Rascals favorite easy treat. We love bringing these over to family and friends houses so Rascal always has a healthy treat on hand.
Apple Pretzels Homemade Puppy Treats
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
How to Make:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
Crack the egg, beat it, and set it aside in a small bowl. In another large bowl, mix the almond flour and applesauce.
Next, scoop one tablespoon of egg into a separate bowl, then pour the remaining into the flour mixture. Stir until it reaches a dough consistency.
Take two tablespoons, ball the dough, and roll into a tube. Then, twist the dough into a pretzel shape.
Place the pretzels on the baking sheet and brush with the reserve egg wash. Next, bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and firm.
Lastly, allow it to cool before giving it to your dog.
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Puppy Food: What To Look For
When it comes to choosing the best foods for your growing puppy, obsessing over individual ingredients isnt important, according to Rollins.
Instead of reading endless ingredient labels, Rollins suggests looking for two things: the life stage listed on the bag and the Association of American Feed Control Officials seal. Puppies need puppy food, not adult food, to ensure that they receive all of the essential ingredients for optimal growth and development. The AAFCO seal is another indication that a dog food is complete and balanced. In other words, it contains all of the nutrients that dogs require at each life stage and the nutrients are in the correct proportions. Any puppy food with the AAFCO seal is a good choice for a healthy diet, Rollins says.
If you have a large breed puppywere talking about you, German Shepherds, Mastiffs and Rottweilerslook for foods designed with their size in mind.
Rollins notes that large breed puppies have specific nutritional needs and require foods with the right balance of nutrients. These formulations have higher protein levels and essential fatty acids like DHA that were designed to promote slower, steadier growth large breed puppy foods are also less calorie dense, allowing growing puppies to eat enough to feel full without overeating.
Socialization With Other Dogs
Dogs, like humans, have distinct personalities of their own! Some people are naturally social and extroverted, while others are shy. However, your dogs personality and conduct can be altered by its surroundings and experiences.
It is critical to ensure that your puppy is appropriately socialized with both humans and dogs to build positive and healthy habits.
Puppies can start interacting with people as early as three weeks old. Infants learn a great deal about their surroundings during this stage. If they are not exposed to various people, animals, social interactions, and sounds, they may be more likely to become uneasy and possibly aggressive later in life.
When your dog is young, start socializing him or her with other dogs in the area or at puppy school. Learning puppy manners involves letting them interact with other dogs so they can take their cues.
Theyll develop the ability to tell when a dog wants to interact with them and when they ought to respect other peoples personal space.
When a dog is playing with other dogs, they will learn that their power and bite can cause pain, which will make other dogs avoid playing with them.
Even after the puppy stage has passed, your dogs disposition might shift and become unfriendly to other dogs and people. If this occurs, bring treats with you on walks and offer them to your dog when strangers approach.
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Shih Tzu Homemade Dog Tips
Before sharing our favorite Shih Tzu homemade food recipes, keep these recommendations in mind when preparing your dogs next meal.
Best Dog Food For Weight Loss
Always consult your veterinarian before putting your dog on a weight loss diet. Your dogs weight gain could be due to an underlying condition, so its important to rule out any potential problems. Your vet can also help you make sure any diet food youre considering will give your pup all the nutrients he needs. With that said, here are our top picks for weight loss dog food options.
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Low Carb High Protein Home Made Dog Food
Your pet is family, and thus deserves only the best ingredients with no fillers or added sugars or spices. Your dog needs protein from animal meat, seafood, dairy, and eggs. They need fat from meat or oil and carbohydrates from grains or vegetables. In addition, essential fatty acids from plant oils, egg yolks, oatmeal, and other foods. The question is in what amounts? After much research, the author has created a recipe that their dogs love. A must try!
Ingredients
Directions
For the full recipe and instructions check out Tasty Low Carb
For A Hungry Growing Pup
What to feed a puppy is going to differ a bit from their later years. As a general rule, dogs need to consume about 2-3% of their body weight per day. A younger dog, however, requires the high end of that figure during the rapid growth seasons.
Conversely, cut down on calcium for that puppy. Too much isnt healthy, so while some recipes might recommend an egg a day for calcium, a puppy shouldnt have that much before puberty. Cut that ingredient in half.
Cover that puppy breath with peanut butter and honey concoctionor purchase a puppy-friendly treat thats sized just for training.
For the budget-conscious, this recipe for puppy stew that should feed your growing canine family member for just a little over $2 a day.
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What Are The Benefits Of Natural Dog Food
There are many benefits of premium, all-natural dog food, including:
- No chemicals, preservatives, additives, or artificial ingredients
- High-quality meat proteins as the primary ingredient
- Nutrients from whole food sources including meats, vegetables, and fruits
- Boosts your dogs immune system
- Helps to eliminate dog allergies
- Promotes better digestion
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What Natural Foods Can I Feed My Dog
Home-cooked dog food diets can be one of the best ways to keep your furry friend happy and healthy. Surprisingly, just about everything food thats good for a human, will be good for a dog toobut always check in with your vet first to make sure if youre testing a new doggy diet or if your furry friend is particularly sensitive to food change. Foods like:
-
lean cooked chicken
-
cooked ground turkey
-
and whole grains
are some of the best human food substitutes to give your dog. Who knew the food pyramid applied to mans best friend too?
The Need-to-Know Protein-Vegetable-Grains Ratio
Theres a general rule of thumb for how much raw vegetables your canine should consume versus the amount of meat they need. While puppies might require larger amounts of protein for their growing bodies, the key to an adult dogs homemade dog food diet is balance and moderation protein + veggies + grains is the gold standard.
Foods That Dogs Should Never Eat
If youre planning on pursuing a DIY homemade dog food option, avoid giving your trusted companion any of the below itemsthey can be toxic, poisonous, cause metabolization problems, or even lead to death.
-
Meats with nitrates
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Now Let’s Break Down The Recipe For My Easy Homemade Dog Food Shall We
The recipe box below contains a printable version of my go-to recipe for homemade dog food, which consist of lean ground sirloin, brown rice, carrots, hard boiled eggs, parsley, and a few tablespoons of oil that is high in Omega’s. But sometimes, especially since social distancing, I’ve found that it is helpful to have a list of easy substitutes for when ingredients run low. Plug in or swap out any of the items below based on what foods your pup likes/needs and what you have on hand to create your pup’s ideal dog food flavor profile.
Finely Chopped Dog Food
If your dog is picky or will only eat finely chopped dog food , you can either run the vegetables through a food processor or finely chop them on a cutting board. Hand held boxed graters work but take a lot of time. I use the shredder blade on my processor and buzz everything through. Also, try frozen riced vegetables, they are a great option and work great!
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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.
Who Makes Merrick Dog Food And Where Is It Produced
Merrick Puppy Food is made where it originated: Hereford, Texas. Even though it started as a kitchen-run operation, Nestle Purina acquired the company. Despite its vast growth and popularity, Merrick insists they still only use the freshest ingredients. They also reassure customers by stating that no major changes have occurred in their management, day-to-day operations, or food formulas.
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Best Homemade Dog Food Cooking Practices
Here are some general guidelines to follow when cooking homemade dog food for Shih Tzus.
- Never use unsafe or toxic ingredients for your dog
- Cook all animal products thoroughly to kill harmful bacteria
- Cook all grains, beans, and starchy vegetables to make them easier to digest
- Research every ingredient before using it for safety
- Follow the recipe as instructed
- Add supplements to their diet as needed
- Understand the impact of dietary changes
- Run any questions by a veterinary nutritionist