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How to Make Your Own Dog Food Recipes

Nov 01,2024 | puaintapets

The importance of homemade dog recipes is that they are directly related to your dog's health and nutritional status. A well-balanced homemade recipe ensures that your dog receives essential proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals that work together to support growth and development, immune system function, skin and coat health, and the maintenance of normal physiological activity.

homemade puppy food

What is the Nutritional Value of Homemade Dog Food?

  • Protein

Protein is an important nutrient for your dog's growth and development and for sustaining life activities. Homemade dog meals usually include meats such as chicken breast, beef, and fish, which are all sources of high-quality protein. Protein is essential for your dog's muscle growth, repair and proper functioning of the immune system.

  • Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are another important source of energy for dogs. Carbohydrates in homemade dog meals can come from grains, such as brown rice and oats, or root vegetables, such as sweet potatoes and potatoes. Carbohydrates provide the energy your dog needs for daily activities.

  •  Vitamins and minerals

The vegetables and fruits in homemade dog meals are a great source of vitamins and minerals. For example, carrots are rich in carotenoids and plant fibre, and broccoli is rich in dietary fibre and a variety of vitamins, all of which help to boost your dog's immune system and improve digestion.

  • Dietary Fibre

Dietary fibre helps to promote intestinal health and prevent constipation in dogs. The vegetables and grains in homemade dog meals contain some amount of dietary fibre, which can help your dog maintain good digestion.

How to Adujst Dog recipe?

  • Adapt recipes to your dog's breed

Different breeds of dogs may have different body sizes, metabolic rates and nutritional needs. For example, small dogs may need more protein to support their rapid metabolism, while large dogs may need more energy and calcium to support their bone development. Therefore, it is important to choose a food that is appropriate for your specific breed.

  • Depends on the age of the dog

Dogs require different nutritional support at different life stages. Puppies need high-energy and high-protein foods to support rapid growth and development, adult dogs need balanced nutrition to maintain a healthy weight and vigor, and older dogs may need easily digestible foods and additional nutritional supplements such as joint care and digestive support ingredients.

  • Individualized recipes

Individual differences in each dog will also affect their nutritional requirements, including activity level, health status and personal preferences. Therefore, recipes should be adjusted with these factors in mind and may need to be fine-tuned to suit your dog. If a dog has specific health problems or food allergies, a specially tailored food recipe may be required.

homemade dog food

Daily Diet Making for Dogs

Making your dog's daily diet, also known as “doggy meals”, is a fun and healthy activity. Here are some basic steps and suggestions to help you create a well-balanced meal for your dog.

  1. Choosing the right ingredients

    The key to healthy recipes is to choose fresh, additive-free ingredients. We can choose lean meats such as chicken breast or lean beef, and we can choose vegetables that are rich in vitamins and mineral types such as carrots and broccoli. You can also choose grains such as brown rice or oats that can provide energy and dietary fiber as part of your recipes. Be careful to avoid seasonings such as salt and sugar that are added to human foods.

  2.  Focusing on Nutrition   

  Provide your dog with enough protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. You can adjust the ratio of ingredients appropriately according to your dog's size and activity level. It is recommended to supplement your dog with some pet calcium tablets, fish oil and other nutritional supplements on a weekly basis.  

  Cooking Methods  

      Cut ingredients into appropriate sizes and cook by steaming, boiling or roasting. Avoid high-temperature cooking methods such as deep-frying to retain more nutrients.

Hoe to Make a Sample Recipe?

Food

Ingredients

Amount used (healthy animals)

Large Dog(20kg) Medium Dog (10kg) Small Dog (5kg )
Meat (protein)

Sweet potato, yam, pumpkin, taro, potato, etc. (choose one) + Grains and cereals 350-450g 200-250g 100-150g
Roots & Tubers (Carbohydrate)

Green leafy vegetables, broccoli, kale, carrots, courgette, etc. (two to three items) Ingredient mass is raw weight; 350-450g 200-250g 100-150g
Others (Vitamins) Pork tenderloin, free-range pork, beef tenderloin, chicken breast, fish, etc. (choose one) + Soybean genus 350-450g 200-250g 100-150g
Attention:
1. All the quality of the ingredients are raw weight;
2. If there is an underlying disease, it is recommended to start from the lower dosage limit above and avoid animal offal, eggs, dairy products;
3. Healthy animals can consume animal offal, eggs, dairy products and seafood 1-2 times a week;.

How to Make Dog Treats Recipe?

  1. To begin with, mix homemade dog recipes with your dog's existing dog food in certain proportions, and gradually increase the proportion of dog recipes until they are completely replaced.
  2. Try adding some of your dog's favorite condiments to recipes, such as chicken broth and ground chicken, to increase the appeal of the food.
  3. As your dog adapts to the recipe, watch for signs of discomfort, such as diarrhea and vomiting. If there are problems, it may be necessary to adjust the diet or consult a veterinarian.
  4. Dogs should have plenty of water available to drink while they are acclimating to the recipes to keep them healthy. 

By following these steps, your dog can adapt to homemade recipes more smoothly while ensuring that he or she is getting the necessary nutrients. It is important to remain patient and consistent throughout the process.

homemade dog food

Additional vitamins or minerals

Pet owners can determine if additional vitamins or minerals are needed by observing a variety of signs in their dog.Here are some specific bases for judgment.

  • If your dog loses his appetite or loses weight, this could be a sign of nutritional deficiencies.
  • Dry skin, dull or shedding hair in dogs may indicate a deficiency of protein, the micronutrient zinc, or essential fatty acids. 
  • Frequent illness or constant fatigue may indicate a compromised immune system in your dog, which may be related to poor nutrition. 
  • Omnivorous behaviors such as eating dirt and chewing on wallpaper in dogs may be a sign of micronutrient deficiencies.
  • Bleeding gums can be a sign of vitamin C deficiency, while dry eyes or conjunctivitis can be a sign of vitamin A deficiency.

If a pet owner observes any of the above symptoms, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian for professional evaluation and advice. The veterinarian may recommend blood tests or other diagnostic procedures to determine the exact nutritional deficiencies and provide supplementation recommendations accordingly. Vitamin or mineral supplements should not be given freely to a dog without veterinary guidance, as they may cause over-nutrition or imbalance.

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How to Get Dog to Eat Homemade Dog Food?

Gradual transition: if your dog has been eating dog food, suddenly switching to homemade dog food may be uncomfortable. You can gradually reduce the amount of dog food and increase the amount of homemade dog food, so that your dog can slowly adapt to the new food.

Choose ingredients your dog likes: Know your dog's taste preferences and choose ingredients it likes to make dog food. For example, if your dog likes chicken, add the right amount of chicken to the dog food.

Cooking methods: Choose dog-friendly cooking methods such as steaming, boiling or baking. Avoid using too much seasoning and additives.

Divide into small portions: Divide homemade dog food into small portions for your dog's convenience. You can determine the size of each portion based on your dog's food intake and eating habits.

Keep it fresh: homemade dog food is best eaten now to avoid food spoilage. If you need to preserve it, you can freeze the dog food in small portions and reheat it when serving.

Observe your dog's reaction: observe your dog's reaction during the feeding of homemade dog food. Adjust the recipe or cooking method of the dog food promptly if your dog becomes uncomfortable or dislikes it.

What Foods Shoule be Prohibited for Dog?

Dogs have a different digestive system than humans, and certain foods that are harmless to humans can be toxic to dogs. Here are some common foods that are toxic to dogs and should be avoided in recipes in the following categories.

  • Chocolate. It contains theobromine and caffeine, which can lead to poisoning of your dog with symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, rapid heartbeat, and in severe cases, can even be fatal.
  • Grapes and raisins. It can cause kidney failure in dogs, and even small amounts may pose a threat to your dog's health. 
  • Onions and garlic. These types of foods contain sulfides that can destroy your dog's red blood cells and cause anemia in puppies.
  • High-salt foods. Too many high-salt foods in your recipes may lead to dehydration and increased kidney burden, and even an increased risk of cardiovascular disease such as high blood pressure.
  • Nuts. Certain nuts can cause digestive problems or are high in fat and phosphorus, which can be detrimental to your dog.

Healthy and safe recipes are the only way to extend the life of our dogs and keep them with us longer. Pet owners should ensure that their dog's diet is safe, avoid feeding them the toxic foods mentioned above, and always provide clean, fresh drinking water. When introducing new foods, it should be done gradually and the dog's reaction should be closely monitored to ensure that the food is suitable for their digestive system. If you suspect that your dog has ingested toxic food, you should contact your veterinarian immediately. Owners should also cultivate good eating habits in their puppies by feeding them regularly and at regular intervals and avoiding feeding them random human food. 

homemade dog food

FAQs

Can I feed my dog homemade food instead of dog food?

  • When nutrition is balanced

Homemade food can be used in place of dog food if it provides all the nutrients your dog needs, including protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. For example, a well-combined mix of chicken, vegetables (e.g., carrots, broccoli), and grains (e.g., brown rice). Chicken provides high-quality protein, vegetables add vitamins and fiber, and grains provide carbohydrates.

  • When targeting special dietary needs

When a dog has a special health condition, such as a food allergy (sensitivity to certain ingredients in dog food) or digestive issues, homemade food can be customized to meet your dog's specific needs. For example, if a dog is allergic to grains, a grain-free homemade food can be created, replacing grains with pumpkin, for example, as a source of carbohydrates.

Should I put rice in my homemade dog food?

I. Circumstances in which rice can be added

  • As a carbohydrate source

Rice is a relatively accessible and affordable source of carbohydrates for some dogs that are not particularly active and have normal digestive function. It can provide the energy needed to sustain your dog's daily activities. For example, it is feasible for small dogs such as Pomeranian and Teddy to add rice to their homemade food in moderation.

  • Improve food texture

The stickiness of rice can make the texture of homemade dog food more suitable for dogs to chew and swallow. Especially for some older dogs or dogs with poor teeth, soft food containing rice is easier to eat.

  • Increase satiety

Rice can fill your dog's stomach and increase satiety. If your dog has a tendency to be overweight, adding rice in moderation can reduce the proportion of other high-calorie foods while ensuring some nutritional intake.

II. Situations where adding rice is not suitable

  • Dogs are allergic to grains

Some dogs may have an allergic reaction to grains (including rice), manifested by symptoms such as itchy skin, hair loss, ear infections, or gastrointestinal discomfort (e.g., vomiting, diarrhea). If your dog has a history of such allergies, rice should not be added.

  • When a high protein diet is needed

For some high-activity working dogs (e.g., sheepdogs, sled dogs, etc.) or puppies in the growth and development stage, they need more protein than carbohydrates. In these cases, adding too much rice can reduce the percentage of protein in the food, which is detrimental to their growth and physical needs.

Before deciding whether or not to add rice to homemade dog food, it's a good idea to understand factors such as your dog's health, breed characteristics and activity level. If you are unsure, you can also consult your veterinarian for advice.

Do vets recommend homemade dog food?

 Veterinarians' recommendations for homemade dog food are conditional and depend largely on the nutritional balance and safety of homemade dog food. Here is a detailed analysis:

Conditions under which veterinarians recommend homemade dog food

Veterinarians usually recommend homemade dog foods provided that they provide all the nutrients your dog needs, including proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. For example, a well-balanced homemade dog food might include chicken, vegetables (e.g., carrots, broccoli), grains (e.g., brown rice), and other ingredients that provide the variety of nutrients your dog needs.

Veterinarians emphasize the use of fresh, uncontaminated ingredients and the avoidance of foods that contain additives, preservatives, and other chemicals. Homemade dog food ensures the freshness of the ingredients and reduces the harmful substances that may be present in commercial dog food.

Before making homemade dog food, veterinarians recommend that owners seek professional advice to ensure that the homemade dog food meets their dog's nutritional needs. A veterinarian or animal nutritionist can provide personalized nutritional advice based on the dog's age, weight, activity level, and other factors.

Conclusion

Providing your dog with a well-designed recipe that takes into account its breed, age, activity level, and health status is therefore key to ensuring its long-term health. Pet owners should choose or prepare a food that is suitable for their dog based on these factors and consult their veterinarian or pet nutritionist for professional advice when necessary.

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