Homemade Low-Fat Dog Food

Nutritional Components

• An average dog will require from 20 to 28 percent of its dietary caloric intake to be in the form of protein. Fat content can range from 10 to 14 percent. Carbohydrates should make up the largest portion of the calories, ranging from 32 to 44 percent of the diet. The dog's health, maturity and activity levels will affect its overall nutritional needs. For a low-fat diet, simply adjust the amount of fat intake to the lower end of the recommended range.

Special Considerations

• In general, dogs are considered elderly once they reach 75 percent of the expected life span for their breed. Older dogs often require more nutrient-dense ingredients, including easily digested protein, due to their increased difficulty in absorbing the necessary amount. You may raise the percentage of protein to 50 percent for an elderly dog. Also, keep in mind that some dogs have trouble digesting other nutrients as they age. Consult your veterinarian if your aging dog suffers from health conditions, or if you have concerns regarding your dog's specific nutritional needs.

Protein

• Protein is a very important component of the diet. Contrary to popular belief, the protein does not have to be from animal sources---vegetable sources can be used and can also cut down on the fat content of the final product. Most sources of vegetable protein will contain a fairly high amount of fiber, while animal protein can be high in fat. However, your dog may prefer the taste and texture of meat; you can easily create a low-fat blend by using low-fat meat. Do not add any bacon grease or other oily pan drippings; rather, use eggs, cheese, and lean cuts of beef, chicken or lamb for your animal-based protein. Good sources of vegetable protein include beans and other legumes. Many people use a product referred to as TVP (texturized vegetable protein), which you can find at most health food stores.

Dietary Fats

• Fat is a necessary ingredient in all dog food. If you are using lean meat sources for protein, you likely will be including enough fat, and may even need to thoroughly rinse some fat from the cooked meat before mixing it with the other ingredients. Cutting back on fat from eggs is as easy as using more egg whites than yolks. Cook the egg whites well before serving. Just remember to keep the total amount of fat at 10 percent of the overall calories or less.

Importance of Carbohydrates

• You have numerous choices for carbohydrates. Most homemade dog food recipes use rice, which is affordable and easy to prepare. You can also use other grains, such as barley, wheat and oats. Carb-rich vegetables are an easy way to add many vitamins, minerals, and other necessary nutrients to your dog's diet; some high-carb vegetables include potatoes, corn, and carrots.

Important Reminders

• Be creative working with these combinations to find the recipes your dog most enjoys. Keep in mind the nutritional requirements and the components in the ratios listed above before feeding any leftover human food to your dog; some leftovers may be unhealthy or even dangerous to canine health. Avoid giving your dog raw meat, artificial sweeteners, onions and garlic, raisins, grapes, and chocolate; many of those can cause serious illness. By experimenting with different nutritious ingredient combinations, you will find the best low-fat food to suit to your dog's taste.