Because so many of our products are now produced overseas, the quality of the products has declined greatly. After the dog food scare involving China, many dog owners are scared to feed their dogs store bought dog food. They no longer trust commercial dog food and have begun making their own. If you are interested in making your dog’s food to ensure you have complete control over what he is eating, here are some guidelines for you to follow.

Variety

Remember when making your dog’s food that different nutrients come from different foods. If you use the same dog food recipe consistently, your dog may become deficient in some nutrients. To avoid this, change up the ingredients on a regular basis. Alternate the meat, vegetable, and grain choices.

In general, the dog food you make should be 40% meat, 30% vegetables, and 30% starch.

Your meat choices should include chicken, beef, turkey, tuna, lamb, and organs like kidneys and livers. The meat should be fresh and lean. Cook the meat just like you would for your family to kill any germs or salmonella.

For vegetables, try cooked carrots, and peas. Avoid broccoli, brussel sprouts, and cauliflower as they will cause gas and bloating in your dog. Don’t feed your dog corn. Dogs cannot digest corn and it causes allergies and skin problems in dogs.

Many people use brown rice as a source of starch in their homemade dog food, but grains are not a natural part of your dog’s diet. A better choice would be white potatoes that have been boiled and mashed.

If you feel safe giving your dog grains, you can also try whole wheat pasta and oatmeal to provide starch. Be sure and grind the oatmeal so it is easier for your dog to digest. Do not give you dog white rice.

Some additional food items you may want to add to your homemade dog food are:

• Whole wheat flour
• Codliver oil or flaxseed oil to give your dog a shiny coat
• Garlic in small amounts to get rid of tapeworms and fleas. Garlic also fights infection
• Bonemeal can be added to ensure your dog is getting calcium
• Raw meaty bones and powdered milk are a good sources of calcium

Putting It All Together

Once you have your ingredients, cook each item just like you would if you were cooking it for your family. Put the cooked rice and vegetables in a food processor to grind them up until they are smooth. Combine the cooked meat with the vegetable and starch and feed to your dog just like you would commercial dog food.

There are many benefits to making your dog’s food. Dogs thrive on homemade dog food and they tend to be healthier than dogs that are fed strictly commercial food. Making the food can be the same cost as commercially made dog food and by making your own; you know exactly what your dog is being fed. The choice is up to you.

Jason Ladock

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