While there are no scientifically-supported benefits to homemade diets, whole ingredient-based diets are better in the long term. Commercial foods are made to be complete and balanced, adds Dr. Bartges, albeit not the most exciting of meals.
A balanced, home-cooked diet for a 30-pound dog would cost $3.52 per day; $5.58 if you go organic. That's two to four times the price of commercial dry dog foods of similar qualities, he says, but up to half the cost of commercial wet foods.
Indeed, the statistical study showed that dogs fed with industrially processed food live an average of 10.4 years, while dogs fed with home-made food can reach an average age of 13.1 years. Increased lifespan is just one advantage of feeding your dog a raw food diet.
Is One Type of Food Better Than the Other? As long as your pet's nutritional needs are met, it doesn't really matter if he or she eats store-bought or homemade food. Unfortunately, too often, homemade food lacks key nutrients.
The best food to feed is a high quality commercial kibble designed for puppies. This ensures all the nutrients your puppy needs for growth and development are present. You can add cooked meats and vegetables or rice as you wish; however, the main diet needs to be the commercially balanced kibble.
Your dog needs protein (chicken, beef, lamb, duck, etc.), fat from meat or oil, carbohydrates like grains and vegetables, and essential fatty acids, often from plant based oil, oatmeal, and/or eggs. Eggshells provide a good amount of calcium, along with other dairy products.
Feed your dog.
As a general rule, the serving size for a portion of homemade dog food should equal two to three percent of an adult dog's body weight.
“Homemade food is a great option for many pets, but we recommend that owners avoid general recipes from books and the Internet and instead consult with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist,” Larsen said.
Even senior dogs show an improved range of motion and increased playfulness after switching to a fresh, human-grade diet. The protein and natural antioxidants found in high-quality, fresh food also helps fight ailments and illness.
Even the best recipes often don't provide enough of certain nutrients, such as calcium. Your pup needs supplements if you're feeding them from scratch. Which ones depend on which nutrients are missing from their meals. A good recipe should include specific supplement instructions.
Pathogens in Homemade Dog Food
Human goods do have issues with pathogen contamination as well – 25% of raw chicken on the market will be contaminated with Salmonella, and raw vegetables like Spinach and Lettuce have frequent recalls for pathogens like E.
While popular, vets generally don't recommend making your own raw dog food because of the risk of bacterial contamination or possible public health risks. If your dog has any medical issues, consult with a vet or veterinary nutritionist to make sure the homemade diet works for your pet.
When compared to the fresh processed brand, feeding the real whole food resulted in 1.5 to 1.7 times (up to 41%) less feces. This latest research demonstrates that by feeding pets fresh ingredients, less waste goes in and less waste goes out.
No, most vets don't recommend making dog food yourself because of the risk that you will forget essential nutrients and other health concerns. There are some exceptions, and your vet may suggest homemade foods to meet your dog's nutritional needs if they are precise.
Home-cooked meals absolutely can be nutritionally balanced and complete. While it's true that dogs require a balance of protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals, this can all easily be included at home. And despite the common belief, changing a dog's diet does not have to be hazardous.
Is Meat Required? Dogs can thrive without meat, but only if they are fed a properly balanced vegetarian diet. As is true with people who prefer vegetarian diets, protein or vitamin deficiency can occur in dogs who eat strictly vegetarian diets if they are not properly supplemented.
Recommended. Downsides: Leaving dog food out all day could attract insects, rodents, or raccoons. That's especially the case if you feed your dog outside, so be on the lookout. And if you have more than one pet, they may bicker over the food.
No. Dogs actually have fewer taste receptors compared to humans. That means they have less of an urge to eat something different every day. So your dog will not get bored of eating the same food every day.
Can Dogs Eat Chicken And Rice Every Day? It is not a good idea to keep your dog on a daily diet of chicken and rice for long. While this dish is extremely healthy for dogs, it does not contain all of the nutrients they need, which they get from other sources such as red meats and vegetables.
Dry diets are by far the most economical and healthy way of feeding your doggo and saving some coin.
The short answer is, yes! It is perfectly fine to combine homemade cooked food with kibble. Some will argue otherwise, but it is actually a myth that adding homemade food to kibble will stall or create digestive problems for your dog. The key, however, is in how the food is prepared and the ratio of the combined food.
Dogs should eat at least two meals each day, about 12 hours apart. But a breakfast, lunch, and dinner schedule is an equally great option. If more than 12 hours elapses between meals, the stomach can become hyperacidic causing nausea.
Brown rice is full of natural fiber, which helps a dog's digestion. It is also an excellent source of carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Specifically, vitamins B2 - better known as riboflavin, B9 - better known as folate, and D are found in brown rice and provide a variety of health benefits.