You are most likely reading this article because you want to improve your dog’s health. Before diving in, it’s important to be armed with some knowledge, or you could end up doing far more harm than good. This article will discuss if it is practical to make homemade dog food, and we will also provide an example of a fresh dog food recipe you can make for your dog!
While homemade dog food can offer numerous benefits, it also comes with potential risks. Always consult a veterinarian before making changes to your pet’s diet, as individual nutritional needs vary.
Why Consider Homemade Dog Food?
When you think about it, domestic dogs lived on homemade food or table scraps for thousands of years, and it wasn’t until the 1950s that commercial dog food became widely available. In recent years, the average lifespan of pet dogs has significantly increased. Of course, there are many contributing factors, like improved veterinary care and living conditions, but it’s safe to say that improved nutrition has played a part in this increased longevity.
Unfortunately, not all commercial dog food is created equal. In fact, many popular dog food brands contain chemicals, fillers, and suspect practices. It is in every dog owner’s best interest to know exactly what is going into their dog’s bowl. Some dog owners have turned to making their dog’s food themselves, and many dog owners feel that homemade meals are much more appealing to their dogs and make them much happier and healthier. However, before implementing a homemade diet for your dog, consider the pros and cons.
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Homemade Dog Food Pros & Cons
Nutrition & Safety
Years ago, I knew someone who wanted to put his dog on a more natural diet. He began feeding his dog a diet solely of raw meat, reasoning that is what wolves and other wild canines eat. Soon after, his dog became very sick and almost died because it wasn’t getting the nutrition it needed. Thankfully, he got his dog to the vet in time and made the necessary changes to the dog’s diet, and it soon recovered.
My friend didn’t realize that domestic dogs have different nutritional needs than wild canines. Domestic dogs need vitamins, minerals, and amino acids from a variety of meat and plant sources rather than just meat alone. Some dog breeds are susceptible to particular diseases and may require specialized nutrition to minimize the risk of aggravating their condition.
Dog owners must also be aware of foods toxic to dogs, like chocolate, grapes, onions, and garlic. It’s also important to consider the caloric density of the diet. Fresh food diets have a lower caloric density than kibble, so you will need to feed your dog a greater volume of food with a fresh diet than kibble.
Convenience vs. Control
In previous articles, we’ve discussed the hidden dangers of kibble and the advantages of fresh dog food. Making homemade food for your dog gives you complete control over what your dog is eating. With commercial dog food, and especially kibble, you never know exactly what the ingredients are. But with homemade meals, you have the power to include high-quality proteins, fresh fruits, and vegetables, ensuring a nutritious and balanced diet. This sense of control and responsibility can be empowering for dog owners.
While we have previously discussed the hidden dangers of kibble, commercial dog food is designed to be complete and balanced and it’s very easy to measure out a consistent portion for each meal. Dogs need the right proportions of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, so when preparing your dog’s food at home you need to make sure that each meal contains ingredients that will meet these needs. You may need to supplement your dog’s food with additional vitamins to ensure that it gets sufficient nutrition.
Another consideration is the time and effort required to prepare homemade dog food. Making homemade dog food requires time for preparation, cooking, and portioning, as well as the need to consistently source fresh ingredients. This can be quite time-consuming for busy pet owners. It also requires a commitment, since it’s not a good idea to be significantly changing your dog’s diet too frequently.
Storage & Contamination
One of the critical aspects of homemade dog food is proper storage to prevent contamination. Homemade dog food, especially when made in large batches, needs to be stored in a way that maintains its freshness and nutritional value. Use airtight containers to store the food and keep it in the freezer to prevent spoilage. Defrost only the amount needed for a few days at a time to ensure that the food remains safe and fresh for your dog.
Fresh foods spoil faster than processed or preserved foods, so a homemade diet comes with the risk of spoilage or contamination. Raw meat or eggs have an added risk of containing harmful bacteria, especially if they are not fresh or not of high quality. If you choose to feed your dog raw food, make sure to consider the potential risks and consult with your veterinarian to ensure it is done safely.
Considering the Cost of Homemade Dog Food
Some may assume that homemade dog food is significantly more expensive than commercial options. But homemade dog food may not be as expensive as you think. Traditional kibble can cost about $2.00 to $4.00 per pound, depending on the brand and quality. Using affordable, high-quality ingredients can make homemade dog food a healthy and practical alternative.
In our case, we live in an area with many small farms nearby. We are able to buy ingredients like beef and chicken organs that are extremely high quality, but usually less than $3/pound. If you don’t have access to local farms, some dog owners will call their local supermarket butcher and ask them to set aside beef organs that they can buy at a low price. Vegetables and grains are inexpensive and can be bought in bulk for added savings. The overall cost of making homemade dog food can be comparable to, or even less, than the cost of high-quality commercial kibble.
Many dog owners find that the health benefits of homemade dog food can lead to additional cost savings. High-quality nutrition can improve your dog’s overall health, leading to fewer health issues and, therefore, fewer vet visits. Over time, these savings on veterinary care can offset the initial costs of purchasing high-quality ingredients for homemade meals. The long-term health benefits, including better digestion, increased energy levels, and a shinier coat, also contribute to your dog’s overall well-being.
Other Dog Food Alternatives
If you feel like you just don’t have the time to commit to a homemade dog food diet, don’t despair! In recent years, many fresh dog food companies have emerged that you may find more practical for your lifestyle. Most of these companies boast more transparent practices, higher quality ingredients, and much lower cooking temperatures than kibble. For the busy dog owner, our favorite fresh dog food is Spot & Tango’s lightly baked product, “Unkibble” (See some of their options below). We have found it to be a good mix of quality ingredients and reasonable cost, and mix it with fresh ingredients as a topper (see recipe below).
Homemade Beef Dog Food Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Meat Grinder Optional
Ingredients
- 10 lbs Beef Hearts about 5 hearts
- 10 lbs Ground Beef
- 2 lbs Raw Carrots
- 1 C Brown Rice or other grains: hemp hearts or quinoa
- 2 lbs Frozen Chopped Broccoli
- 1 lb Frozen Peas
- 2 Apples
- 2 Bananas
Instructions
Cook Rice and Broccoli
- Prepare rice (or other grains) according to package instructions.
- Cook frozen chopped broccoli until tender (raw broccoli is safe for dogs but can be difficult for some dogs to digest).
Prepare Ingredients
- Optional: Cook meat on the stovetop or in the oven (some dog owners choose to keep the meat raw, while others prefer to cook it).
- Process hearts, ground beef, and bananas through a meat grinder. If you don't have a meat grinder, chop finely by hand to avoid choking hazards and remove any tough connective tissue.
- Chop the remaining fruits and vegetables into small pieces.
Combine Ingredients
- Mix cooked rice, meat mixture, chopped vegetables, and fruits thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
Portion and Store
- Portion the mixture into smaller containers for 3-5 days worth of food each.
- Store the containers in the freezer and defrost them as needed.
Serving Size
- Serve according to your dogs size.
- Add an egg or supplements like fish oil and vitamins when serving for added nutrition.
Notes
Nutritional Benefits:
- Beef hearts: Packed with protein, iron, and B vitamins, great for muscle health and energy.
- Ground beef: A good source of protein and essential amino acids to support strong muscles.
- Carrots: Loaded with fiber and beta-carotene, perfect for eye health and digestion.
- Brown rice: A gentle, easily digestible grain that provides energy and helps settle sensitive stomachs.
- Hemp hearts: Full of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for a shiny coat and healthy joints.
- Quinoa: A gluten-free, high-protein grain that's rich in antioxidants and good for overall health.
- Broccoli: Rich in fiber and vitamins C and K, it supports immune function and digestion.
- Peas: High in fiber and protein, great for energy and digestive health.
- Apples: A tasty source of vitamins A and C, plus fiber for digestive support.
- Bananas: Full of potassium and fiber, excellent for heart health and digestion.
READ ABOUT: WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN YOUR DOG’S NAILS
Great article!