Instructions
Understand what your dog needs. Remember that your dog's needs are very different from your own. Dogs require protein, carbohydrates, fat and other ingredients in different proportions than humans do. Unless the dog is pregnant or breast feeding, its diet should consist of 16 percent protein, 10 percent fat, 44 percent carbohydrates, 20 percent calories from protein, and 10 percent vitamins and minerals.
Talk to your dog's veterinarian. Inform the vet that you will be starting your dog on a natural diet. Take the time to express any questions or concerns you have about your dog's nutrition.
Determine your dog's caloric needs. If your dog weighs 10 lbs., it should eat 400 calories per day. Dogs weighing 35 lbs. should receive 700 calories; dogs weighing 65 lbs., 1,500 calories; 85 lbs., 1,700 calories; and 130 lbs., 2,200 calories.
Be aware of foods that are dangerous for your dog. Some of these include chocolate, avocados, mushrooms, macadamia nuts, grapes, raisins, garlic, onion, tea, coffee, raw eggs, and fish and chicken bones.
Try an easy recipe like this one:
Boil 4 cups of uncooked rice, 9 cups of water, 1/4 cup of oats, and a tsp. of salt. Once the mixture has come to a boil, add 1/2 cup milk, 2 tbsp. parsley, 3 oz. chopped liver, 8 oz. ground beef, 3 tbsp. corn oil, 2 beaten eggs and 2 cups chopped vegetables. Reduce temperature and cook until all the water has been absorbed. Serve with cottage cheese.
Experiment with recipes to see what your dog likes. Websites like TrainPetDog.com provide a wide variety of dog food recipes to suit your pet's taste.
How to Feed Your Dog a Natural Diet
While feeding your dog a natural diet may initially require more time, the investment pays off considerably by giving your dog better health and a longer lifespan. But you should take plenty of time to consider your dog's nutritional needs before attempting to provide a homemade diet.