Homemade Foods for Miniature Schnauzers

Miniature schnauzers are robust, active dogs -- and like any active dog, they require good nutrition to keep them healthy. If you know what you're doing, you can prepare natural foods at home that will be as good as or better than traditional dog food. Don't give your dog whatever you're eating. Your miniature schnauzer should always have wholesome, fresh ingredients. Always consult a vet before putting your miniature schnauzer on a homemade diet.

  1. Cooked Food Vs. Raw

    • It can be tempting to feed your dog raw meat. After all, their digestive systems were made for it. According to Dr. Bruce Fogle in his book "Natural Dog Care," puppies who ate a raw diet showed better rates of growth than those who ate cooked foods. But the downside to raw meat is the ever-present danger of bacteria and parasites. Even if your dog is slightly healthier with raw meat, it could still die if it ingests salmonella bacteria.

    A Well-Balanced Diet

    • Despite what many owners think, miniature schnauzers can't survive on meat alone. They need a balance of protein, calcium, carbohydrates and vitamins. A good homemade meal for your miniature schnauzer could consist of meat (beef, chicken, fish, lamb or pork), rice, liver, sterilized bonemeal (available at a natural pet store or online), sunflower or corn oil, and a pinch of salt. How much you feed your dog depends on its age, weight and level of activity

    Foods to Avoid

    • Homemade meals for miniature schnauzers usually consist of things you would eat yourself, but that doesn't mean you can give your dog everything in the pantry. Dogs should never eat sugar or processed foods. Tofu, though it's healthy enough for people, can be difficult for dogs to digest. While you can and should feed a schnauzer vegetables, be careful not to give it avocado, grapes, garlic, onion or macadamia nuts. These can be toxic to dogs.

    Supplements

    • If you've consulted your vet about your miniature schnauzer's individual dietary needs, you probably won't need to supplement its diet. But if for some reason that dog doesn't seem healthy, you might want to give it a little boost. Fish oil is an excellent supplement available at grocery stores and pet stores; give your dog one gel capsule a day. Brewer's yeast is a good source of the B vitamins. Most miniature schnauzers should have about a teaspoon every day. No matter what homemade foods you pick, you should refrain from making sudden, drastic changes to its diet.