Ingredients for Homemade Dog Food

Many pet owners are considering feeding their dogs homemade diets. With the recent pet food scares, some are concerned about what is actually in commercial dog food and how safe the ingredients are. When you make your pet's food, you can control the quality of the ingredients and know how these ingredients have been handled. It's fairly simple to prepare dog food, but it is essential that you meet the dog's nutritional requirements.

  1. Protein

    • Dogs are largely carnivorous by nature. Therefore, it is crucial that your homemade diet contain a good amount of meat. Without it, your dog will not receive the appropriate amount of protein he needs to stay healthy. A protein component should make up about 25% to 50% of the dog's diet. Most dogs do well on protein ingredients such as beef, chicken or lamb. If you are concerned your pooch may have an allergy to any of these ingredients, try venison, fish or rabbit. The easiest way to incorporate these proteins into the diet is to use them in their ground forms. Cook the meat in a small amount of water until it is slightly pink. Be sure to use the water as well when adding the protein component to the food. You should also include human-grade bone meal in the diet.

    Vegetables

    • Vegetables should be included in your dog's diet for optimum health. Broccoli, carrots, green beans, peas, squash and leafy greens are all good vegetables to give your dog. Steam the veggies to remove any bacteria that may be on them and mix them into your dog's food. In addition, mashed sweet potatoes, pumpkin and yams also make an excellent additions. Add just one or two of these vegetables to the protein each day and be sure to give him a good variety.

    Optional Additives

    • Most dogs do fine without eating carbohydrates; therefore, they are not an essential component of the diet. Some pet owners believe that it is the starch and grain components in their dog's diets that cause allergies and inflammation. If you feel your dog should eat simple starches, try feeding him white rice or potatoes. White rice can be beneficial to your dog if he has digestive problems. Use carbohydrates sparingly as they can cause obesity and high sugar levels.

      Eggs, cottage cheese and yogurt can also be added to the diet for added protein and digestion help. You may also want to give your dog a vitamin supplement. Your veterinarian will likely carry a vitamin for pets, such as PetTabs.

      Before switching your dog to homemade food, be sure to consult with a veterinarian to ensure that the diet is appropriate for your dog. You may also want to periodically have his blood tested to make sure he is receiving the nutrition his body requires.