How to Make Healthy Dog Food with Natural Dog Food Ingredients

Many concerns have arisen regarding the dangers of feeding pets commercial dog food. These concerns have prompted dog owners to start making natural dog foods for their beloved pets, which is not only safer, but easy and healthier. Here you'll learn what types of foods to feed your dog, what not to feed them and resources to find safe commercial dog foods when you can't cook for your pet.

Instructions

  1. Feed Raw Food: Dog Food as Nature Intended

    • 1

      Start with meat. Most dogs want meat protein.

    • 2

      Choose fresh meat for your dog. It's best to buy from a butcher or meat processor. These meats will be fresher, can be bought in bulk for better pricing, and you can have the butcher cut up or grind the meat for you if necessary.

    • 3

      Use lean beef, stewing meats, beef heart, beef liver, boneless steak or roast. Boneless stewing lamb, the shank, leg of lamb or butt can also be used. Boneless, skinless chicken breast, fillet or thigh can also make great healthy dog food for your pet.

    • 4

      Select vegetables to add. The best vegetables for your dog include squash, pumpkin, cucumber, zucchini, carrots, parsnips, beets, yams, sweet potatoes, and broccoli. These vegetables will provide necessary nutrients. Again, select produce that is as fresh as possible.

    • 5

      Avoid such vegetables as beans, peas, spinach, beet greens, chard, onions, garlic, tomato, potato, or bell peppers. These vegetables will either cause digestive problems or may even lead to damage of the red book cells.

    • 6

      Determine how much to feed your pet per day. To determine how much to feed an adult dog, take his body weight and multiply it by 0.4. The resulting number is the total number of ounces your dog should be eating in a day -- either in one big meal or divided into a morning and dinner meal.

    • 7

      Chop the meat and vegetables into chunks small enough for your pet to eat easily. Serve it raw.

    Feed Cooked Natural Dog Food

    • 8

      Cook the food. Though it is not necessary to cook the meat and vegetables before serving them to your dog, some pet owners prefer to do so, particularly with poultry.

    • 9

      Cook meat only slightly, so that it is still juicy and tender. This will allow for maximum nutritional value as heat can kill many of the nutrients.

    • 10

      Lightly steam vegetables before adding them to the cooked natural dog food. Be sure to only add the recommended vegetables listed above.

    • 11

      Stir the meal and test different areas to make sure there are no hot spots before you give it to your dog. Always allow the cooked food to cool before serving.

    Dog Food Recipe: Sauteed Liver

    • 12

      Heat 1 teaspoon of corn oil in a pan.

    • 13

      Add ¼ pound of beef liver and fry on both sides until only lightly cooked but still very moist inside.

    • 14

      Add ½ cup of water to the pan drippings to create tasty gravy for your natural dog food.

    • 15

      Cut the liver into small chunks and allow it to cool before serving it to your pet.