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For a moment, picture yourself eating the same food everyday day in and day out! Apart from being ultra-boring, you may also question if you are getting all the required nutrients. Your pet may go through similar feelings. There is a reason why dogs always look so longingly towards what we eat. They desire variety too, even if it means table scraps! Homemade dog food recipes may not only ensure your pet’s health but can also come in handy if you find yourself cleaned out of commercial dog food. But then again, do remember to be mindful of any food allergies or dietary restrictions your pet may have.
Nutrition Guidelines to Create Balanced Homemade Dog Food
Serving sizes usually vary according to your pet’s size, weight and activity level. Some nutrition guidelines you may like to keep in mind:
- 10% carbohydrates – beans and grains
- 40% protein – seafood, animal meat, dairy, eggs
- 50% fresh vegetables
- Fat from meat or oil
- Calcium – powdered or crushed eggshells, supplements
- Fatty acids – – oatmeal, cooked egg yolks, plant oils
Super Healthy and Cheap Homemade Dog Food Recipes
One way to guarantee that your beloved pet is getting super healthy food is by making dog food at home. But for most people with their busy lives and packed schedules, taking time out to cook for their pet can seem challenging. The answer lies in opting for simple recipes both in respect to the ingredients available and time-wise. Most pet lovers may wish to know how to make homemade dog food. So here are some easy-to-make nutritious homemade dog food recipes:
1. Salmon Treat
This is an eco-friendly recipe as it uses the things that people often tend to discard, like broccoli stems, peelings etc to make a delicious meal for your four-legged friend.
Serves – Makes about 2 cups
Preparation Time – 5 minutes
Cooking Time – Approximately 15 to 20 minutes
Ingredients
- Two carrots
- Two potatoes
- A broccoli head (with stem)
- A squash
- Two salmon portions (with skin)
- Olive oil
Method
- Chop the broccoli stem and the squash into pieces.
- Peel the carrots, potatoes and keep the peelings.
- Put broccoli stem, squash, carrot and potato peelings into a pressure cooker and give it a few whistles.
- Pour oil into a wok or saucepan and put it on medium heat.
- Place the salmon pieces and pan fry them.
- Pull off the salmon skin when it turns crisp and place it in the dog bowl.
- Transfer the cooked contents of the pressure cooker into the dog bowl.
- Give everything a good mix for your dog to enjoy.
2. Pumpkin Dog Biscuits
You can make these yummy pumpkin biscuits as vegetarian dog food. These digestive biscuits are great for your dog’s stomach and can assist in tackling any digestive issues.
Serves – Yields about 24 fluid ounces
Preparation Time – 5 minutes
Cooking Time – About an hour
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup pumpkin puree
- Two cups rice flour
- An egg
- 1/3 cup cold water
- Olive oil
Method
- Heat the oven to 350 degrees.
- In a bowl, mix rice flour and oil.
- Whisk the pumpkin puree and egg together until smooth.
- Next, add the pumpkin mix to the rice flour mixture.
- Slowly pour water and keep stirring.
- You can hand mix all the ingredients as well to make a smooth dough.
- Line the baking tray with baking paper and smear the dough to desired thickness.
- Allow it to bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or till cracks appear on the top.
- Cut to preferred sizes.
- Cool and stock in an airtight glass container.
3. Chicken Casserole
If you wish to make dog food with chicken, this tasty chicken casserole is just the thing you need to try! The ingredients are also readily available.
Serves – Yields about 2 cups
Preparation Time – 5 minutes
Cooking Time – About 20 minutes
Ingredients
- Two chicken breasts
- ¼ cup rolled oats
- A cup of mixed vegetables (green beans, carrots, potatoes, broccoli)
- Two cups chicken broth
- Olive oil
Method
- Cut the chicken breast pieces into desired sizes.
- Take a pan and pour some oil.
- Put it on medium heat and transfer the chicken pieces into it.
- Sauté them until cooked.
- Pour the chicken broth, mixed vegetables, and rolled oats.
- Cover the pan and allow the ingredients to simmer for about 15-20 minutes.
- Let it cool down before serving.
4. Vegetable Delight
You may want to bookmark this beautiful dish with all the goodness of vegetables under dog food recipes for dogs with allergies. It is easy-to-cook and contains wholesome ingredients.
Serves – Makes about 4 cups
Preparation Time – 10 minutes
Cooking Time – About 30 minutes
Ingredients
- A sweet potato
- A cup of mixed vegetables (carrots, green peas, broccoli, cauliflower)
- A can of black beans (drained and rinsed)
- 2/3 cups brown rice (uncooked)
- 1 ½ cups water
- Six kale leaf stems
Method
- Chop the veggies into bite-sized pieces.
- Add all the chopped vegetables in a pressure cooker along with some water.
- Lower the temperature and allow ingredients to simmer for some time.
- Combine rice and water in a slow cooker and bring them to a boil.
- Mix the cooked rice, beans and vegetables before serving.
5. Frozen Banana Delight
After a long and exhausting walk, your dog is sure going to love you even more for giving him this refreshing and fantastic treat.
Serves – Makes about 10 cups
Preparation Time – 5 minutes
Cooking Time – About 10 minutes
Ingredients
- Four cups plain, unsweetened yoghurt
- Three ripe bananas (peeled and mashed)
- Two tablespoons of peanut butter
Method
- Combine the ingredients in a blender to get a smooth consistency.
- Pour the smoothie into cups of preferred sizes.
- Place them in the freezer until firm.
6. Turkey Veggie Mix
This can be a wonderful recipe for dogs as it has the right balance of healthy carbs, vegetables and lean animal protein.
Serves – Makes about 12 cups
Preparation Time – 10 minutes
Cooking Time – About 30 to 40 minutes
Ingredients
- A pound of turkey
- Two cups brown rice (uncooked)
- Six cups water
- A cup of mixed vegetables (carrots, cauliflower, broccoli)
Method
- Combine the turkey, rice and water in a large pot.
- Turn the stove on high heat and bring it to a boil.
- Reduce the heat and allow the ingredients to simmer.
- Add all the vegetables after chopping them.
- Cook for 10 more minutes.
- Turn off your stove and allow it to cool.
FAQ’s
Some of the frequently asked questions about dog food are answered below:
1. Which Foods Should You Avoid Feeding a Dog?
Some of the principal foods that you may want to avoid feeding your dog include the following:
- Cherries
- Onions
- Raisins/grapes
- Avocado
- Garlic
- Alcohol
- Brewer’s yeast
- Uncooked spinach
- Chocolate
- Coffee/caffeine
- Citrus
- Nuts
2. What Homemade Food Can I Feed to My Puppy?
It may not be wise to feed your puppy all that you eat yourself. Your endeavour should be to offer him a balanced mix of proteins which can come from turkey, chicken, organ meats (liver, gizzards, hearts), eggs, tuna, salmon, beef, lamb, pork and vegetables like Brussels sprouts, broccoli, celery, carrots, green beans, peas, cucumbers, sweet potatoes. Speak to your vet before including them to your dog’s menu. In case your dog is allergic to grain, you may opt for a grain-free diet. But if your dog has no issues with grains, rice and oatmeal can be great choices.
3. Is It Ok to Feed Dog Chicken and Rice Every Day?
It is safe to feed dogs chicken and rice daily. But a meal of chicken and rice alone cannot be called a balanced diet as it lacks so many important nutrients. A dog that is served chicken and rice every day may become susceptible to a greater number of medical complications.
4. What Is the Most Common Food Allergy in Dogs?
The most common food allergens in dogs are dairy, beef, egg, wheat, pork, rabbit, lamb, soy. Dogs may sometimes be intolerant to certain foods. Most dogs are allergic to usually more than one food item.
5. How Can I Store Homemade Dog Food?
Proper storage of homemade dog food is essential to ensure nutrient retention, best flavour and quality. Homemade wet foods generally require refrigeration. Be mindful of factors like moisture, temperature and packaging so that the dog food can last for a longer time.
6. How Much Cooked Meat Should a Dog Eat Per Day?
Every dog’s requirement for meat can be different. Meat rations may vary depending on the breed of your dog, his exercise levels, weight, size, the caloric content of other foods. However, in general, an average dog can consume approximately 2 to 3 per cent of his body weight every day.
7. Which Food Is Good for Weight Loss in Dogs?
Obese dogs are more disposed to health issues. Therefore, it is vital to keep their weight in check. Lean meats must form a part of your dog’s diet along with plenty of vegetables. You may want to avoid foods like unhealthy snacks, soy, corn, sugars and excessive commercial products which contain lots of preservatives. Portion control is another way to maintain their weight.
Balanced home-based dog food can immensely benefit your furry friend, particularly if he is prone to gastrointestinal troubles or allergies. It can also improve behavioural glitches that ensue from dietary deficiencies. However, it may be sensible to consult a vet before switching over to homemade meals to avoid any likely issues. It is only right to treat your trusted canine companions like a family member by preparing wholesome food for them.
