Homemade dog food can be varied depending on the season and nutritional needs of the dog. It doesn’t have to be prepared daily. Several days worth of meals can be made up and stored in the refrigerator, and a bit of warm water and healthy leftovers from the family dinner will make it a treat.
Economical Dog Food Basics
Grains such as brown rice, barley, buckwheat, and oatmeal are the base of homemade dog food, and should make up approximately half of the diet. The digestibility of the food will be improved by making sure the grains are thoroughly cooked, and run through the food processor.
High quality proteins from meat should make up 25% of a good canine diet. Start out with well cooked meat, and gradually lessen the cooking time until the perfect balance is found. The meat also adds flavor that will entice the pet to eat.
Fresh vegetables and fruits should make up the balance of the homemade healthy dog food. Carrots, broccoli and leafy greens are particularly good. While cooked vegetables are fine, raw vegetables are best, but should be grated or mashed. Seaweed fits into the vegetable category and adds calcium and organic trace minerals.
Sticking to these proportions, mix and match the ingredients into casseroles or stews. Variety of ingredients will keep the dog interested in mealtime while reducing the possibility that a food allergy will develop by eating too much of the same food. Nutritional variety in the basic diet is another benefit to rotating the ingredients.
Introducing the Homemade Dog Diet
If the dog is not accustomed to human food, the homemade diet should be introduced gradually. Start by feeding a bit of healthy leftovers mixed in with the regular fare. Stay away from spicy foods, lunch meats, ham, sauces and cheese that will disrupt the dog’s digestive system.
Table scraps and leftovers are not the same thing. Leftovers are the food left when the family is finished with it. If the family is being fed a healthy, low fat, low sodium diet, most leftovers can safely be fed to the dog. Table scraps are the fat, bone and gristle of meat, and seeds and stems that are left on the plate because they are uneatable. Don’t feed these to the dog.
Once it’s established that the dog is not adversely affected by the human food, slowly add the homemade to the regular dog food, reducing the volume of the original by the amount of the fresh food fed.
Supplements for Individual Needs
Essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, amino acids and digestive enzymes are as beneficial to dogs as they are to humans, and it’s important that the homemade diet provides these requirements. The vet will be able to identify the specific nutritional supplements the dog needs. They can vary according to the breed and heath of the dog. Herbs beneficial to the dog can also be introduced.
Patrice Campbell - Patrice Campbell is a freelance writer working from the Denver, CO area. As an experienced news reporter and lifestyle writer, Patrice ...
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