There are so many different kinds of dog food, but give your dog the best kind; homemade!
Consumers seem to be looking for more natural dog foods without preservatives or additives after occasional defects in pet food caused health problems. Making your own dog food requires a simple mix of meat, vegetables and starches.
Steps
Know that it is wise to check with your vet before switching to homemade dog food.
Understand that dogs need a diet that consists of 40 percent meat, 30 percent vegetables and 30 percent starch. Follow this formula to ensure that your dog has a well-balanced diet.
Cook meat before feeding it to your dog.
Realize that organ meat (such as liver, kidneys, etc.) and eggs are very good for your dog.
Consider the fact that many experts believe commercial dog food is actually unhealthy for dogs. Often, the meat that is used in dog food is of a quality considered unfit for humans.
Try making a mixture of ground turkey, rice and carrot for your own dog food. Meals made of ground beef, brown rice, brewer's yeast and carrots are also popular.
Rotate the foods you feed your dog so that the dog gets a variety of foods.
Use oatmeal, pasta, rice or potatoes for your dog's starch requirement.
Grind eggshells and add this to your dog's meal. Eggshells have a lot of nutrients.
Keep cooked dog food in the refrigerator no longer than three days. Keep in mind that when you're using natural ingredients, the food spoils easily so you must just make enough food that could last for a span of a few days - depending on the shelf-life of the ingredients.
Consider this recipe. A typical recipe for homemade dog food combines meat, vegetables, and grains into one meal. It calls for these ingredients: 2 lbs hamburger, 10 oz shrimp or lobster, 1 cup raw liver, 1 boiled potato, 2 cups of rolled oats, ¼ cup blueberries, ½ cup brown rice, ¼ cup wheat germ, ¼ cup brewer's yeast and a tad of cinnamon.
Combine beef, boiled potato and shrimp or lobster and put all in a food processor. Crush the blueberries into a mushy fruit paste. Blend together all the ingredients and roll into a ball. This is meant to be fed fresh and raw.
Consider this recipe. Another recipe has the following ingredients: 8 cups oats, 2 cups brown rice, 6 cups barley, 2 lbs carrots (grated), 3-4 bunches of broccoli (stems grated and flowerettes chopped), 6 zucchini (grated) and ½ bunch parsley (chopped).
Use two 8 quart stock pots to cook the oats and in another pot brown rice and barley. Then let cool, preferably over night. Chop the vegetables and puree using a food processor. Combine all the ingredients and shape into balls. Freeze for future consumption.
When you first switch to homemade dog food, try mixing commercial dog food to the food you have prepared to help your dog make the transition.
Be aware that not all human foods are beneficial to your dog. For example, regular consumption of bacon can easily lead to pancreatitis. Also, many dogs (like most mature mammals) are intolerant of dairy products due to the presence of lactose. For this reason, dairy products remain one of the three most common allergens. Know your dog's limits and feed accordingly.
Warnings
Its important to make sure your proportions are right to your dog. 75 protein 25 vegetable/starch is optimal for a healthy dog. There are modifications for overweight or with health issues. A good dog vitamin is critical with calcium (unless you offer it in foods: tricky as they could be fattening)
Always check with your veterinarian before you embark on any homemade diet.
