Preparing your own dog food is pretty simple. When figuring out how to make homemade dog food, the key thing to keep in mind is to make sure that whatever you make is well balanced.
How to make homemade dog food tasty and nutritious is about getting the right mix between protein, carbohydrates, and fats.
Learning how to make homemade dog food is a great way of monitoring exactly what your dog is eating.
You don’t need to worry about your pooch’s food containing unnecessary additives and cheap fillers.
If your dog has an allergy or a dietary requirement, knowing how to make homemade dog food is the perfect way to cater to their nutritional needs.
Is raw better than cooked?
The raw pet food diet has gained a lot of popularity in recent years. As the name would suggest, this is based on feeding your dog simple raw meat, veggies, and some grains.
However, feeding your dog raw or undercooked animal proteins may expose them to potentially toxic pathogens that could make them seriously unwell.
Worse still, these bacteria can be transmitted to humans too.
Therefore, to prevent the risk of such contamination, it is best to thoroughly cook most of the food you give to your dog.
How to make homemade dog food?
The following ratios should be followed when preparing homemade food for your dog:
- 60% protein (seafood, animal meat, dairy, and eggs)
- 30% carbohydrates (vegetables and grains)
- 10% fat (meat, oil or egg yolks)
- Calcium (from finely crushed eggshells or a supplement)
It is important that the majority of your dog’s homemade food comes from protein, as this is will help muscle growth and repair tissues.
Around one-third should come from carbohydrates; as this will give your pooch lots of energy and improve their general digestive health.
Finally, the remaining amounts should come from fats and calcium; to help keep your dog’s coat and their bone joints in top condition.
Serving sizes
Serving sizes depend on the breed, age, activity level, and health needs of your dog. This is also true for the number of calories your dog needs.
Determining how many calories a dog burns each day is crucial for knowing how much to feed a dog.
When people are unsure of how many calories their dogs really need, they tend to overfeed, which can cause a multitude of health problems for their dogs.
There are many formulas for working this out, but it is safest to consult your dog’s vet to determine exactly the required amount for your pet.
Preparation tips
Knowing how to make homemade dog food can be fantastic fun for you and your furry friend.
By following the ratios above you are sure to produce healthy and nourishing food for your dog.
To make sure you meet your dog’s nutritional needs and don’t cause digestive discomfort; never add salt, sugar, or other spices to your pet food.
Ensure you cook all animal products, starchy vegetables, and grains thoroughly so that they are safe and easy for your dog to digest.
