Homecooked Dog Food Is Excellent For
- Dogs with a sensitive tummy
- Dogs with a compromised immune system
- Active service dogs that might not be allowed to be on a raw diet
- Owners who are grossed out by the thought of touching raw meat
Whether youfeed your dog raw or decide to serve up cooked meals: It is crucial that your greyhounds diet is species-appropriate and nutritionally well balanced. While this might sound challenging at first, I assure you that it is not a daunting task at all, provided you follow certain core principles.
What To Watch For When Feeding Homemade Dog Food
It’s important to monitor your dog closely when changing to homemade dog food. Stay in contact with your veterinarian regarding any changes you notice, whether good or bad. For best results, keep a record of your dog’s weight and body condition over time. Weigh your dog at least once per week and contact your vet if you notice unintended weight loss or gain. Watch for vomiting or diarrhea that may occur if your dog is sensitive to one or more ingredients. Note and report these or any other signs of illness to your veterinarian.
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
Read Also: Wet And Dirty Martini Recipe
Tools Needed For Cooking Dog Food At Home
- 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 knowDog 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.
A General Guideline For Preparing Homemade Dog Food
My DIY dog food recipe is more of a general guideline, rather than an exact meal plan that I follow each week. My dogs diet changes the same way ours does, depending on what we do and what we buy or grow.
However, we almost always stay with this basic formula:
- 50 percent cooked protein
- 25 percent cooked complex carbohydrates
- Fats and supplements
Protein is always meat and usually chicken, though weve also used turkey, pork, and beef. We feed any and all parts of the animals, but most commonly, we saute chicken breasts or chicken thighs in coconut oil and ground turmeric.
Coconut oil has a host of health benefits for dogs, such as improving the skin and coat, increasing energy, aiding digestion, reducing allergic reactions, promoting wound healing, preventing yeast and fungal infections, and supporting arthritis or ligament problems.
Turmeric has long been studied for its powerful medicinal properties, including its use as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
We add it to the coconut oil since it is fat-soluble, and use it to support our pugs joint health.
Speaking of dark meat, we feed thighs and breasts interchangeably. While well remove the skin from poultry and trim off excessive fat from red meat, we dont worry about buying the leanest meat possible for our dogs.
A little fat is necessary for a well-rounded diet.
They tend to be the leftovers in our produce bin, so we never have to buy, say, a whole head of cauliflower just for the dogs.
Read Also: Best At Home Smoothie Recipe
Easy Ground Turkey Dog Food Recipe
Making healthy homemade dog food is a great way to make sure your pet is getting all the nutrition they need. This easy ground turkey dog food recipe helps you feed your dog the healthiest options with no questionable ingredients.
Whether you are making homemade dog treat recipes or food, you can tailor it to your pups specific needs and taste buds.
This recipe is sponsored by my friends at Idaho® Potato. I am so pleased to work with them. As always, all opinions, recipe and photos are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Pooks Pantry.
If you make a purchase through one of the affiliate links, I make a few pennies at no extra cost to you. Questions? Please see disclosure for info.
Homemade Dog Food Recipes: Closing Thoughts
There you have them the 50 best homemade dog food recipes for all dogs and many situations. Whether it be for adult dogs or you want to make homemade puppy food, please consult your veterinarian or a canine nutritionist for approval.
Its also just as important to make sure you ask them for the exact food supplements you can add to these DIY dog food recipes.
Remember to look at our Homemade Dog Food Recipes section for some of every recipe, video, and more.
Also Check: Simple Smoothie Recipes Without Yogurt
At The End Of 2019 During Our Yearly Vet Check We Received The Horrible News That Our Dog Was In Stage 4 Kidney Failure
Honestly, I was in total shock, how did we miss this?! He is with me all day, every day!! He just seemed like he was dealing with some symptoms of old age frequent urination, sometimes excessive water drinking, and I would notice occasionally that he would have a mild case of diarrhea. It definitely didnt feel like life threatening symptoms to us! As much as the diagnosis was a shock, the price tag of the prescription diet that we were told he would need to eat for the remainder of his life was pretty horrifying too! When I asked our vet how long we had left with him the prognosis wasn’t good, 3-6 months maybe 9 if we were lucky. We had to wait 6 weeks for a follow up blood panel to really know what kind of timeline we were looking at.
Myolliecom: Healthier Custom Human
Ollie prepares high-quality dog food that is delivered right to your doorstep. It solves many problems.
First of all, it takes the burden off your shoulders. You just have to pick up a plan, and Ollie will prepare the food itself and deliver it to you.
The burden of going to the supermarket and shopping for dog food would end.
The most important benefit is that your dog is eating healthy with all the required nutrients included in the food. Experts prepare food at Ollie, and no essential nutrients are missed.
The dog food at Ollie is custom designed.
Recommended Reading: Pioneer Woman Chex Mix Recipe
Delicious Brown Rice And Turkey With Rosemary Home Food For Your Dog
This delicious concotion has the added fragrance of rosemary to bring your pet running from the opposite end of your house. It can easily be made with frozen ingredients and left over turkey from dinner. With a total cooking time of just 30 minutes its quick too!
Ingredients
For the full recipe and instructions check out Allrecipes
Know Function Deficiencies And Excesses Of Key Nutrients
The deficiencies for the commonly missed nutrient in home-cooked meals are as follows:
Iodine:
Function: Constituent of thyroxine and triiodothyronine. Thyroid hormones have an active role In thermoregulation, Intermediary metabolism, reproduction, growth and development, circulation and muscle function.
Deficiency: Goiter, fetal resorption, rough coat, enlarged thyroid glands, alopecia, apathy, lethargy
Excess: Similar to those caused by deficiency. Decreased appetite, listlessness, rough coat, decreased immunity, decreased weight gain, goiter, fever
Manganese
Function: Component and activator of enzymes lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, bone development reproduction, cell membrane integrity
Deficiency: Impaired reproduction, fatty liver, crooked legs, decreased growth
Excess: Relatively nontoxic
Function: Calcium and phosphorus homeostasis, bone mineralization, bone resorption, insulin synthesis, immune function
Deficiency: Rickets, enlarged costochondral junctions, osteomalacia, osteoporosis
Excess: Hypercalcemia, calcinosis, anorexia, lameness
Vitamin E:
Function: Biologic antioxidant, membrane integrity through free radical scavenging.
Deficiency: Sterility steatitis, dermatosis, immunodeficiency, anorexia, myopathy
Excess: Minimally toxic. Fat-soluble vitamin antagonism, increased clotting time, .
Excess: Relatively nontoxic. Reported cases were because of consumption of pennies or zinc nuts
Zinc:
Don’t Miss: Canned Apple Pie Filling Recipe
How Much 100% Human Grade Food To Feed Your Dog
This will obviously vary from dog to dog, but a general rule of thumb is for every 10 pounds your dog weighs they should be fed roughly 1 cup of prepared food.
I know this seems like quite a bit compared to the amount of traditional kibble a dog would eat in a day, but this is because kibble has had all of the liquid cooked out of it. This condenses it down which means you need less of it to feed your pet. Real food like this is fully hydrated which means it takes more of it to feed your pup.
If you are concerned about how much you should feed your dog you should call and consult with your vet about transitioning your dog’s diet and the amount of food your dog should eat each day.
Do Your Portion Research
You will need to do some research on how many calories your dog needs per day based on your dogs activity level and your dog’s weight. There are so many factors to consider that will vary due to the breed, size, age, and activity of your pet. My dog needs about 400 calories a day, and is a small dog weighing just 11 pounds.
Don’t Miss: Chicken And Rice Weight Loss Recipe
Delicious And Healthy Dog Food Recipes You Can Make At Home
As the global outbreak of the COVID-19 outbreak exceeds 660,000 infected people at the time of writing, more governments are implementing stricter movement control orders in a bid to curb the spread and to flatten the curve. This impacts how often we can go out to get daily supplies and a 10kg bag of dog food may not be the best use of the limited space available for stocking up.
However, you can make delicious and healthy dog food right at home from ingredients you already have, and your pet would thank you for it. With your spare time from the lockdown, here are 10 popular recipes that you can try out from home for your pets.
Your Dogs Energy Needs
According to a meta-review of studies by the National Research Council of the National Academies, your dogs current energy needs are as follows:
- For a puppy weighing 10lbs who is projected to weigh 33lbs when fully grown, the recommended Calories per day is 990.
- For a young adult active dog, the recommended Calories per day is 436 for a 10lb dog, 993 for a 30lb dog, 1,451 for a 50lb. dog, 1,876 for a 70lb dog, and 2,264 for a 90lb dog.
- For an inactive dog, the recommended Calories per day is 296 for a 10lb dog, 674 for a 30lb dog, 989 for a 50lb. dog, 1,272 for a 70lb dog, and 1,540 for a 90lb dog.
- For an active adult dog, the recommended Calories per day is 404 for a 10lb dog, 922 for a 30lb dog, 1,353 for a 50lb. dog, 1,740 for a 70lb dog, and 2,100 for a 90lb dog.
- For a pregnant dog , the recommended Calories per day is 518 for a 10lb dog, 1,274 for a 30lb dog, 1,940 for a 50lb. dog, 2,570 for a 70lb dog, and 3,170 for a 90lb dog.
- For an older active dog, the recommended Calories per day is 327 for a 10lb dog, 745 for a 30lb dog, 1,093 for a 50lb. dog, 1,407 for a 70lb dog, and 1,700 for a 90lb dog.
- For a nursing dog, the recommended Calories per day varies based on how many puppies she is feeding, her own weight, and how many weeks she is into lactation.
It is best to consult a veterinarian and/or canine nutritionist during this time if you are home feeding to ensure that your dog receives the appropriate nutrition and energy requirements for her specific circumstance.
Read Also: Keto Recipes With Oat Fiber
Faqs With Our Vet Nutritionist
How do I serve this beef recipe to my pup?
You can serve this recipe right away while its still warm, or cool it in the fridge first. If your pup prefers wet food, you can also thin out the recipe with some beef broth. Serving size will vary depending on your dogs size check with your vet for a more specific recommendation.
How do I store this recipe?
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 4-5 days you can also freeze this recipe and store it in the freezer for up to 2 months.
What if my dog doesnt like this recipe?
Similar to humans, some dogs are just picky eaters! Keep trying out recipes to find one your pup loves. If you notice any gastrointestinal issues or skin infections, talk to your vet. You may need to opt for an alternative protein thats gentler on the tummy, such as lamb.
Can I feed beef to my dog every day?
Lean ground beef is a fantastic ingredient to feed your dog, but its also important that your pup gets a balanced diet! While many of the homemade dog food recipes you can find are easy to cook, studies have shown that most DIY recipes still lack all the necessary nutrients that would make it an adequate everyday meal.
To ensure your pup is getting everything they need to stay healthy and happy, we recommend working with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist.
How do I know if my dog should avoid grains?
Easy Slow Cooker Dog Food With Ground Turkey And Veggies
Spoil your dog with delicious homemade meals. Its easier than ever when you use a slow cooker. This easy slow cooker dog food recipe features ground turkey and an assortment of vegetables including carrots, sweet potatoes, and green beans.
You may think you dont have the time or money to make your dogs food. You might be surprised to see that you actually SAVE MONEY when you make your dogs food at home from scratch. And when you use your Crock-Pot, its faster and easier than ever!
Stop anxiously reading over long ingredient labels and wondering what youre really feeding your furry best friend. Homemade dog food allows you to ensure your pup is eating only the best ingredients like high-quality meats and nutritious, dog-safe veggies.
Makeup two weeks worth of homemade dog food and store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. Its freezer-friendly too!
Always talk to your veterinarian before changing your dogs diet or adding in new foods. If the recipe below includes an ingredient that is a known-allergy for your dog, skip it or substitute it with another dog-safe ingredient.
We also have an entire Pinterest board dedicated to ideas for your dog. Check it out!
Will you give this easy slow cooker dog food recipe a try? Be sure to let us know what your dog thinks of it!
Read Also: Hot Ones Chicken Wings Recipe
Meet A Fresh Approach To Pet Food
Food made for the love of dogs doesnt look like a burnt brown ball. It looks like food! Ours is formulated by board-certified veterinary nutritionists to be complete and balanced, and made with human-grade ingredients that are gently steamed to help retain their maximum nutritional value. Choose from a variety of fresh, personally portioned recipes including chicken, beef, turkey and more!
Meat
Green Vegetables
Including fresh vegetables in a dogs diet can provide health-boosting antioxidants. We use only whole, healthy vegetables not past-their-prime scraps rendered into unidentifiable pellets.
Whole muscle and organ meat make up the majority of all of our recipes. Because our food is fresh, it can provide essential nutrients and hydration, while being high in protein, calorically dense, and more digestible than the highly processed meal powders and starchy fillers often used in kibble and canned food.
Fiber – Rich Foods
Supplemental Nutrients
To ensure our fresh recipes are nutritionally complete and balanced, we add high-quality supplemental nutrients, like fish oil. Its Human-Grade, filled with Omega-3s, and really tasty!
Using fresh, whole vegetables also provides fiber, a key component of a dogs diet it helps maintain digestive health and a healthy gut, helps to regulate blood sugar levels, and leaves your dog feeling full for longer.
Developed by Nutritionists, Praised by Vets
Dr. Jonathan Block
Dr. Deepti Johar
Dr. Alex Schechter
Try It Out
Fall In love