Easy Natural Dog Food Recipe
Preparing your own dog food at home is great for you and your dog. You don’t have to haul all of that dog food from the supermarket and your dog will benefit from a healthier diet. But what should be the ingredients in a natural dog food recipe?
The best way to determine what is right for your dog is to initially consult with your veterinarian. He or she will advise you on the correct proportion of meat, carbohydrates and vegetables, how many times a day to feed your dog – depending on its age and health issues, and what supplements may be required for your dog’s particular needs.
By simple virtue of the fact that they are massed produced, there is just no way commercial dog foods can compete with a diet designed specifically for your dog.
A natural dog food recipe will contain fresh meat, fresh or frozen vegetables and carbohydrates. It will not contain the fillers, feathers, beaks, hooves and other dubious extras that commercial products can contain. Nor will it contain artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
The proportion of meat, carbohydrate and protein will vary, but as a rule of thumb it will be 40/30/30 or 50/25/25.
Any type of lean mean is acceptable, whether it be beef, chicken, turkey or fish, and once you find one that your dog likes, there is no need to vary it. Buying what is seasonal or on special is the most economical way to go.
Most people who prepare from a natural dog food recipe will buy and cook in bulk and then freeze the mixture in meal size portions. Flatten out the portions so that they store better, taking up less room in the refrigerator or freezer.
For a large dog, your recipe would look something like this – substitute the type of meat preferred and what vegetables in season, but maintain the type, e.g. only substitute green vegetables with other green vegetables.
6 pounds of lean beef
4 cups of uncooked rice
3 cups of carrot
2 cups of chopped broccoli
2 cups of chopped celery
3 cups of rye
10 ounces of spinach or bok choy
80 ounces of beef stock
80 ounces of water
Simmer the beef, stock, and water for 20 minutes. Remove the beef, and add rye to the liquid. Simmer for approximately 40 minutes before adding the rice and simmering for a further 15 minutes. Combine all the ingredients, including the vegetables, and mix well. The heat from the mixture will soften the vegetables.
If your dog is reluctant to eat his new meals, try adding a little to his regular food and increase the amount you add until he is taking the full natural dog food recipe.
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One Response to “Easy Natural Dog Food Recipe”
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Carolin Shadler’s Blog
I can’t believe the number of people who are advocating the addition of garlic to home-made dog food. Garlic is one of the things (besides chocolate) that dogs are NOT supposed to have! Some other no-no’s: onion, grapes and raisins, macadamia nuts. I know there are a few more, too.