After doing the research and discovering all of the disgusting things that can find their way into commercial dog food, you have made the wise decision to switch to homemade dog food. Making the decision was easy, but many people don't know where to go from there. Thankfully, making dog food at home is just as simple as finding the right ingredients, let's look at what you need to include:
What to Include
While variations on the following numbers are common, a general way to look at homemade dog food is that 40% of the calories should come from meat, 30% from starch and 30% from vegetables. Any type of meat can be used, but organ meat, such as liver, can be very healthy for dogs. Even though some people encourage feeding dogs a raw diet, it is generally best to cook the meat in order to kill any bacteria or parasites that may be in it. Additionally, bones need to be removed since they can cause choking. Common sources of starch for dog food are cooked rice, pasta and potatoes, though others can be used as well. Vegetables are another instance where almost any type can be used (avoid onions and broccoli, however). Veggies should either be cooked or cut into very small pieces in order to minimize the risk of choking.
What to Avoid
Certain foods are toxic to dogs and should not be included in your pet's diet. The most important ones to consider when making dog food are onions, broccoli, mushrooms, and garlic. In fact, seasonings shouldn't be necessary, as it will be the meat that is most attractive to your dog. Raw salmon and similar fish can contain bacteria that are fatal to dogs. Therefore, if you serve fish, be sure to cook it thoroughly. Potato peelings can be dangerous as can stems and leaves of tomatoes. Raisins, grapes and parts of other fruit can be bad for your dog as well; be sure to research thoroughly prior to adding fruit to your pet's diet. Caffeine and alcohol should never be part of a dog's food.
Special Considerations
There are some things to keep in mind when making food for your dog. First is that, like people, dogs have food preferences. If you find that your pet continually turns their nose up at a certain ingredient you are using, don't push the issue, stop using the ingredient and try something else. Attempting to force your dog to eat a specific item will only be stressful for the both of you and cost you unnecessary money. Other things to watch for are behavioral changes, such as scratching excessively, as they could signal an allergic reaction. If that is the case, be aware of what your dog ate and be cautious with those ingredients until you are certain which one caused the reaction. Finally, there is the percentage issue. The calorie breakdown is a general guideline and shouldn't be written in stone. An overweight dog will need fewer calories overall and specifically less fat, whereas an active sporting dog needs more protein and other nutrients. The best thing about homemade dog food is that you can tailor it to your dog, and not someone else's idea of what your dog needs.
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