How to Make Your Own Dog Food With Portion Control

Obesity is one of the most serious health conditions affecting both humans and their pets. Losing weight is a fairly straightforward process for people, but it's much more difficult to take extra pounds off our canine companions. Making your own dog food allows you to monitor exactly what your dog is eating, and controlling his portions prevents him from overeating.

Things You'll Need

  • 1 whole chicken
  • Knife
  • 1 lb. raw beef liver
  • Plastic bags
  • Permanent marker
  • Food processor
  • 1 lb. carrots
  • 1 lb. broccoli
  • 1 lb. green beans
  • ½ lb. apples
  • ½ cup apple cider vinegar
  • Bowl
  • Spoon
  • 1 cup whole oats
  • 4 whole eggs
  • ¼ cup dog vitamin powder
  • ¼ cup plastic storage containers
  • 1 tsp. ground flax seed
  • 1 tsp. fish oil

Instructions

    • 1

      Lay your chicken on a flat surface and cut in half along the backbone. Separate each leg and thigh, cutting just below the leg to sever the tendons. Cut each breast in half, leaving the wings attached to the upper section.

    • 2

      Cut the liver into 8 pieces, placing each piece in a storage bag with one piece of chicken. Label each bag with the date and type of meat and place in your freezer. Dividing the meat into individual servings helps you control portion size.

    • 3

      Add vegetables and fruits to the food processor, pulsing into a coarse chop. Pour in the vinegar and blend into a smooth paste. Fruits and vegetables are filling and add vitamins and fiber to your dog's diet without excess calories.

    • 4

      Pour the mixture into the bowl, stirring in the oats. Add the eggs one at a time, stirring to combine. Sprinkle the vitamin powder in as you add the eggs to evenly distribute it throughout the mixture. Fill each storage container with the vegetable mixture and write the date on it before freezing.

    • 5

      Thaw one helping of meat and one vegetable container overnight in the refrigerator. Place the meat in your dog's bowl, rubbing the vegetable mixture over the meat to keep him from discarding the puree as he eats the meat.

    • 6

      Spread the flax seed and fish oil over the food just before serving. Flax seed and fish oil are both rich in fatty acids that your dog's body needs for proper muscle development. Discard any food left in the bowl after 30 minutes to prevent bacterial growth that could make your dog sick.