Always Get Your Vets Approval
If your dog suffers from medical issues, you might need to adjust certain veterinary-endorsed diets. Ask your own vet about your dogs specific nutritional needs as well as for a recommendation for a certified veterinary nutritionist. The three of you can find a homemade diet that meets your pups dietary requirements. Whether your dog has specific medical problems or not, you should always tell your vet that your dog eats a homemade diet. You should also add veterinarian-recommended supplements to the homemade diets basic components.
Want to learn more about your dog and his diet? Check out the differences between Hard and Soft Dog Food, Dog Food Ingredients Explained, and Why Some Dogs Rub and Roll In Their Food at Cuteness.com!
This article is provided by Cutenessthe go-to destination for passionate pet parents. Cuteness has answers to all of your health, training, and behavior questions as well as the cutest, funniest, and most inspiring pet stories from all over the world.
Leaders In The Fresh Food Movement
More affordable than other fresh food brands.
Cooked in open kitchens.
Publicly-available recipes for at-home cooking.
Offer therapeutic and custom diets for dogs with specific nutrition needs.
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767 5th Ave, New York, NY 10153
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767 5th Ave, New York, NY 10153
Hours today: 9 am – 9 pm
336-1440
767 5th Ave, New York, NY 10153
Hours today: 9 am – 9 pm
336-1440
767 5th Ave, New York, NY 10153
Hours today: 9 am – 9 pm
336-1440
767 5th Ave, New York, NY 10153
Hours today: 9 am – 9 pm
336-1440
767 5th Ave, New York, NY 10153
Hours today: 9 am – 9 pm
336-1440
Are you new to fresh whole food feeding and not sure which recipe your dog will like best? Why not try them all? Our new Sampler Variety Box contains our 6 Fresh Frozen daily recipes that we believe your dog will love. Our recipes were designed for rotational feeding to ensure your dog is getting nutrients from a wide variety of protein sources to support their overall health.
Creating The Ultimate Recipe
With these values in mind, I set out to create an ultimate homemade dog food formula. I call this a formula because is more a guideline than an exact recipe. Its meant to give you freedom to work with the ingredients you have, and that your particular dog can eat.
Its also meant to be flexible so you dont have to cook the same combination of carrots and peas every week. For picky eaters, this is a big deal! This is also huge for making sure your dog gets the full spectrum of vitamins and minerals over time. Feeding the same recipe week over week is likely to leave your dog deficient in some essential nutrients, as almost all recipes are lacking something. This is less likely if you use a wide variety of whole ingredients. The goal is balance over time.
But being a formula also means there is bound to be some margin for error. The calorie and nutrient content of the food you make will vary depending on what ingredients you pick, so its important to calculate and track both week by week. I generally use this formula and what I happen to have in my fridge or pantry as a starting point, and then adjust each week based on what vitamins and minerals my dogs should be getting and the protein, fat, and carb contents of the ingredients I chose.
Now, without further ado, the formula
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Q What Are The Benefits Of Homemade Dog Food
Homemade food can be tailored to meet the specific dietary needs or allergies of an individual dog. It allows greater control over the ingredients and the quality of those ingredients, avoiding fillers, preservatives, and other additives that may not be healthy for dogs. Homemade food can also include fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean meats that can provide essential nutrients for dogs.
Salmon Scramble For Dogs
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup canned butternut squash
- 1 Tbsp. ground flaxseed
Directions:
Cook chicken thoroughly in a skillet. Drain chicken fat and set aside. Blend eggs in a blender with a shell then stir into the chicken. Cook chicken and egg mix until cooked through.
Add 2/3 cup chicken mixture, 2 tbsp. carrots, 1/3 cup rice, and 1/3 cup chicken broth to blender and puree. Mix leftover chicken with carrots and rice in a large bowl. Stir in puree until combined thoroughly. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper and spoon out round portions. Allow cooling completely before serving. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
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Best Homemade Vegan Dog Food Recipes
Are you looking for the best homemade vegan dog food recipes? Weve compiled a list of vet-approved veggie-based dog meals for you to start cooking.
Weve also added a tasty homemade vegan treat recipe packed with incredible health benefits. This recipe can do a lot for your pups health and wellness. It has our favorite secret ingredient, dog CBD oil.
Note: Please consult with your pets veterinarian and use personal judgment when applying this information to your dogs diet. The recipes below do not include serving size because portion sizes will vary depending on breed, weight, activity level, age, and dogs health. A common recommendation is to feed your dog a comparable amount of ounces/cups to what you would usually feed in kibble BUT check with your vet to be certain.
- 1 15-oz can of organic pumpkin optional
- 1 1/2 cups cooked sweet potatoes optional
Instructions
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup 100% cranberry juice
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
Instructions
Instructions
Instructions
Instructions
Ground Meat Rice And Veggies Diy Dog Food Kibble Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups water or beef/chicken broth
- 2 cups cooked vegetables
Directions:
1). Preheat oven to 200 degrees. In a skillet, cook the ground meat until browned. Grease a cookie sheet and set aside.
2). In a large bowl, combine the flour and milk powder. In a smaller bowl, beat together the eggs, vegetable oil, Worcestershire sauce and water or broth. Slowly add the wet ingredients to the flour mix and mix well. Stir in the ground meat and veggies.
3). Spread the dough onto the cookie sheet, making sure to keep it at an even thickness of about ½ inch. You may need to use a second cookie sheet if the dough is thicker than this on the first cookie sheet. Using a knife or pizza cutter, score the dough into bite-sized pieces .
4). Place the cookie sheet in the oven and bake for one to two hours. Turn off the oven and let cool for one to two hours. Remove dough from the oven and break on the scored marks. Store your DIY kibble in an airtight container in the fridgeit can be safely stored for up to three days. You can also freeze it for up to three months.
Weve covered a wide variety of cooking methods and recipes for your DIY dog food. We hope this guide helps you learn how to make healthy homemade food for your fur baby!
Kim
Review symptoms, medications & behavior to keep your pets healthy with a Vet Online in just minutes.
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Essential Fatty Acids In Cat And Dog Food
Both dogs and cats require omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in the diet because they cannot produce these essential fatty acids on their own. For those of you interested in the scientific nitty-gritty, essential fatty acids and their numeric formulas are listed in the table below.
Deficiency of omega-6 fatty acids can cause skin and coat abnormalities, reproductive problems, and failure to thrive. The omega-3 essential fatty acids are alpha-linolenic acid , eicosapentaenoic acid , and docosahexaenoic acid . EPA and DHA are found primarily in marine sources, including fish oil as well as phytoplankton and other marine plants.
Kafkas Organic includes Omega-3 Fish Oil naturally derived from Anchovies, as well as Organic Flaxseed Oil rich in Omega-3 levels. Safflower Oil contains high levels of Omega-6 Oils.
What Not To Put In Homemade Dog Food
Dogs can eat many of the same foods you enjoy, but some are very toxic. Before you share anything with your dog, stop and think!
Some of the human foods that are not safe for dogs include cocoa, chocolate, garlic in large quantities, onions in large quantities, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, anything with xylitol sweetener and any kind of alcohol or caffeine.
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Vegan Dog Food Nutritional Guidelines
What does a balanced vegan dog diet plan look like?
Homemade vegan dog food should also follow AAFCOs guidelines for creating a balanced meal that promotes life and proper function in dogs.
AFFCO is the entity regulating dog food nutritional value in commercial dog food, including vegan kibble.
Every dog meal should have six indispensable nutrients, including protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, minerals, and water.
Making plant-based dog food recipes should take into account your pups weight, health conditions, size, activity level, and other factors.
The Abcs Of A Balanced Dog Food Diet
Understanding the basics of what makes a homecooked diet balanced for your dog will help when you discuss the options with an expert. Here are important ingredients for the canine diet.
Protein: According to the ACVN, dogs must have protein in their diets that contain 10 specific essential amino acids their bodies cant produce. This is necessary for the creation of glucose, which transforms into energy. Sources of protein include chicken and turkey, after removing bones, fat, and skin beef and lamb pork in limited amounts salmon and some other fish such as whitefish, herring, walleye, flounder, and Arctic char.
Fats and fatty acids: The most concentrated sources of fats in a dogs diet come from animal fats and plant seed oils. A healthy diet supplies the fatty acids the dogs body doesnt manufacture. Fatty acids support the function and structure of cells, keep skin and coat healthy, and enhance the taste of the food. Sources of fatty acids include plant-based oils, including corn, soybean, canola, and flaxseed oil, as well as fish oil.
Carbohydrates: Dogs get some of their energy from carbohydrates, which include sugars, starches, and dietary fibers. Sources include rice, pasta, oatmeal, and quinoa.
Fiber: Dogs need fiber in their diet to keep their gastrointestinal system functioning and to help them from becoming overweight. Good sources of fiber for dogs include carrots, pumpkin, apples, dark leafy greens, brown rice, and flaxseed.
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Apples Are Yum Yum Treat The Affair
An apple a day keeps the doctor away not only for humans but also dogs. For munching instead of giving chocolates or packed chips and snacks to dogs wed recommend opting for apples. Apples are helpful for a dogs overall health. Apples are a great addition to your dogs diet since they provide dietary fiber, vitamin A, and vitamin C. They also give you a technique to maintain the cleanliness of your dogs teeth and their breath! Before feeding the apple to your dog, make sure the core and seeds have been removed.
Is Homemade Puppy Food Good For Puppies
Like humans, dogs also have caloric requirements and specific vitamins and minerals needed every day to keep them in shape.
On the other hand, puppies have more precise needs to grow fully to their appropriate size and have good health conditions.
Also, common mistakes by pet owners when they decide to feed their puppy with homemade recipes is that they don’t follow the suitable recipes, or they are just not following any formula at all!
So when preparing the proper meal diet for your puppy, it must contain the appropriate balance of protein, fat, and calories for growth.
In addition to that, the meal diet must also include the right amounts of vitamins and minerals.
So as you begin to make homemade puppy food, make sure that your puppy gets everything he needs in his meal diet.
And lastly, it’s best to consult your veterinarian, or you can even ask for any referrals to a nearby veterinarian nutritionist.
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Leaders In Evidence Based Nutrition
Proven healthy through independent, peer-reviewed studies.
Pioneered ethical AAFCO-compliant feeding trials using companion dogs.
Have a large Veterinarian team, including a nutritionist, toxicologist, and dermatologist.
Have a team of Veterinary-trained Nutrition Consultants to partner in your pets health.
What Human Food Are Safe For Puppies
Human foods that are safe for your fur baby include:
Carrots âChewing them helps remove plaque on their teeth. Also, carrots are a good source of Vitamin A vital for the dog’s skin, coat, and immune system.
Apples â Provides Vitamin A and C. Good source of fiber, which regulates your dog’s digestion.
Eating rotten apples can lead to alcohol poisoning fordogs!
White Rice â Cooked and plain white rice is a good option for a dog’s upset stomach. Also, it is easy to digest and binds stool.
Diabetic dogs should eat white rice in small portions because it increases sugar levels!
Dairy Products â Milk, cheese, and plain yogurt safe for dogs to have in small amounts.
Too much dairy can cause digestive problems because dogs have low lactase levels.
Peanut Butter â Unsalted peanut butter with sugar added is safe for dogs to eat in moderation. Contains Vitamins E and B, niacin, healthful fats, and protein.
Plain Popcorn â Contains magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc, which are essential for your dog’s health.
Blueberries â Rich source of fiber, antioxidants, and phytochemicals.
Bananas â Full of magnesium. Due to its high sugar content, dogs should intake bananas in moderation.
Cucumbers â Low-calorie snack and is suitable for dogs that are overweight. Also contains plenty of vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin K.
Green Beans â Plain green beans are suitable for dogs. Good source of protein and contains calcium, iron, and Vitamin K.
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Ingredients That A Dog With Kidney Disease Should Avoid
There are numerous ingredients that are not part of vet approved homemade dog food recipes for kidney disease. For example, you should avoid giving bones, bully sticks, treats, pig ears, raw hides, antlers, organ meat, and yolks to a dog with kidney disease.
You should also avoid polyunsaturated oils such as soy, corn, flaxseed, cod liver, and sunflower. Besides that, there are four main ingredients that sick kidneys cant extract.
Those are:
Phosphorus Phosphorus accumulating in blood affects other systems in the body, and causes hormonal balance and less bone density
Omega 6 fatty acids This causes inflammations
Sodium Sodium increases blood pressure, which can lead to heart arrest, and it also causes water retention, which can cause dehydration
Vitamin D The kidneys have a hard time extracting Vitamin D
How Much Should I Feed My Dog
Every batch of food will be different depending on what ingredients you use, how you prepare it, and even how much water you use in cooking it, so portioning can be tricky. To help with this, Ive written a separate post on how to calculate homemade dog food portions. Dont worry, the math isnt hard!
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Instant Pot Dog Food Recipe
If you have an Instant Pot, youll love this simple recipe! You can cook everything in your pot, including rice or oats, lean ground meat, and vegetables of your choice.
Giving your pet the highest quality nutrition is a top priority, so why not give them a food and water dish to match? The Hepper Nom Nom Bowl is our product, but its too good not to share.
Made from food-safe stainless steel, you can ensure that your pet is consuming the best nutrition out of the finest bowls on the market. to get yours.
Making Your Own Dog Food: The Bottom Line
Now that youve learned how to make homemade dog food quickly and easily. We hope youve found your new favorite healthy dog food recipe. Cater to your furballs specific dietary needs, learn a new cooking skill, and maybe even save a little money. Your dogs will love their upgraded diets!
Looking for more dog recipes?
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Homemade Dog Food For Puppies
A puppys diet is different from an adult dogs.
Compared to adult dogs, puppies need higher protein, fat, calcium, and phosphorus levels. Too few of these nutrients can cause deficiencies, stunted growth, or lifelong complications.
According to the American College of Veterinary Nutrition , puppies need about twice as many calories per pound of body weight as an adult dog of the same breed.
Most people worry that their puppy requires more food and calorie daily because they are rapidly growing. This isnt necessarily the truth. Dr. Justin Shmalberg, DVM, a veterinary nutritionist at Nom Nom, advises that to promote normal growth, most puppies need about the same number of calories and the same type of food from 4 months to 12 months of age.
Puppies should eat 3 to 4 times a day. When your puppy is a bit older , you can switch to 2 to 3 meals daily at scheduled intervals. For proper growth and development, it is not advised to skip meals while your puppy is growing and developing. As our nutritional guidelines previously outlined, a puppys diet must include a balance of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, water, and vitamins.