Why not give your dog the same love and care that you
give the rest of your family and DIY his food at home? There are plenty of
reasons to give your dog homemade food rather than store-bought kibble.
· You have full control over the ingredients. You can make a balanced
meal.
· Packaged dog food can be a big expense, while home cooked food with
ingredients your family uses is not.
· You don't need chef skills! Your dog will eat anything, unlike your
family. Just whip together healthy ingredients your dog will love, and you can
refrigerate and feed your dog for days.
How To DIY Dog Food
To make your dog happiest, you can have two or three
recipes for main meals that you use periodically for variety. Your dog may eat
just about anything, but dogs still love new flavors. Also make a few batches
of homemade treats that you can store to give him when he's been good. Links to
treat ideas follow below.
Remember that the homemade meal must have a good mix
of protein, carbohydrates and fiber. Vets recommend 25 percent protein for
puppies while 18 percent for adults in general. However requirements can change
according to breed, so check the right amount for yours with your vet.
When you have an idea of how much of which nutrient to
give your dog, you will need recipes. Here are a few ideas for your dog's
meals, using recommended quantities for a 15 pound dog as a guide.
1. Basic Meal: Mix 3 ounces of cooked dark chicken (or cooked lamb, pork,
turkey, beef, eggs) with 1 1/3 cup cooked brown rice (you can substitute cooked
oatmeal, cornmeal, sweet potato, white rice, peas, barley, or pasta) and 1
tablespoon of veggies like carrots, green beans, bell peppers, squash, baby
spinach or broccoli. Also add a teaspoon or two of vegetable oil for fat. The
veggies can be cooked or uncooked, but shouldn't be more than 10 percent of
your dog's food intake. Vets recommend this meal.
2. Turkey Meal for Plump Pups: Turkey is a good source of proteins for
pups that could do with a few pounds of less weight. Mix 1 pound cooked ground
turkey with 2 cups brown rice and 4 cups water and bring to a boil. Simmer
until rice is soft, then add 1 cup each of chopped carrots and green beans and
cook a further 5 to 10 minutes until the veggies are tender. You can also add a
teaspoon of fish oil. You can store in the fridge for up to five days. Remember
not to fry the ground turkey in heavy oil or it could upset your pup's stomach.
3. Chicken Chili: Mix 4 diced chicken breasts cooked in a non-stick pan, a
cup each of kidney beans and black beans, drained, 1 cup of diced carrots and 4
cups of chicken broth in a pan and bring to a boil. This should take 10
minutes. Cool and serve. Store the remaining in a fridge for up to five days.
If you get organic ingredients for your family, you
can use the same for your pets. So, go ahead and try out these homemade meals
and see how your dog enjoys them. You can also visit these excellent resources
for other ideas on making your own dog meals and other healthy dog treats.
· A great organic recipe at Huffington Post:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/karin-kloosterman/organic-dog-food-recipe_b_1498622.html
· Another excellent idea from The Frugal Find:
http://thefrugalfind.com/homemade-dog-food-recipe/
No comments:
Post a Comment