CLICK HERE FOR HOMEMADE DOG FOOD RECIPES! The following chart is an example of amounts you should make for different sized dogs when you are feeding a homemade dog food diet.
Each recipe is to be divided into 4 servings.
Feed 2 servings per day. Each recipe in the chart below makes a two day supply for one dog, but you can double the recipe, which is what I do.
This can be kept refrigerated for the four days, until finished.
|
Dog’s Weight |
Meat Chicken/Lamb/ Beef/ Turkey/Venison |
Carbohydrates
Rice/Barley/ Macaroni or Other noodle |
Vegetable/ Fruit Mix |
Salt –(iodized) |
|
20 pounds |
2 ½ cups chicken or turkey
|
2 cups |
1 ¼ cups pureed |
¼ teaspoon
|
|
40 pounds |
4 cups chicken or turkey |
3 cups |
2 ¼ cups pureed |
½ teaspoon |
|
60 pounds |
5 ½ cups chicken or turkey |
4 cups |
3 ¼ cups |
½ teaspoon |
|
80 pounds |
7 cups chicken or turkey |
5 cups |
4 cups |
¾ teaspoon |
|
100 pounds |
8 ¼ cups chicken or turkey |
5 ¾ cups |
5 ¼ cups |
1 teaspoon |
PROTEIN
The protein choices are any meat, poultry, fish, and eggs (occasionally), organ meats and for a treat sometimes add cottage cheese or yoghurt, which are good protein sources. I’ve used chicken/turkey in the chart, but you can use any of the choices.
Remove fat and drippings from the meat after cooking. Chop the meat into small bite sized cubes for serving, or use ground meat.
CARBOHYDRATES
You can use brown rice, barley, whole-grain pasta, potatoes or oatmeal as choices for the carbohydrate portion. Brown rice is the best choice for dogs with digestive issues (gas or diarrhea). Slightly overcook grains, to make them easier to digest.
VEGETABLE AND FRUITS
Vegetables must always be cooked. Puree vegetables and fruits together so they will be easily digested by your dog. You can use a combination of fresh, frozen or canned veggies and fruits.
I usually use more veggies in the mix, but always add some fruit for sweetness.
An example of one of my girls favorite veggie/fruit puree is this: (makes one cup) ½ cup cooked and pureed carrots; 1/4 cup cooked green beans and ¼ cup canned pears. Make your own variations.
Be aware of foods that are known to be toxic to dogs before making your own dog food. Check out the short list of foods to avoid I have here.
Mix all the ingredients well and serve at room temperature or slightly warm. Never serve hot food to your dog.
Always introduce new foods one at a time. If it isn’t tolerated well, then discontinue. My dogs can eat most human grade foods I prepare, but I have learned which ones upset their tummies. Dogs with special medical needs or illnesses are not candidates for home prepared dog food unless specifically ordered by your veterinarian.
Also puppies under the age of 12 months should receive special premium chemical free and additive free organic puppy food. Easy order here from Only Natural Pet Store – Puppy food such as The Honest Kitchen, Wellness just for Puppy, Solid Gold Wolfcub large breed puppy, Castor and Pollux Organix for puppies, and several others.
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ABOUT THE SALT:
Dogs need sodium just as we do. Homemade dog food will not contain enough natural salt, so a little needs to be added. Too much is harmful, so make sure you don’t overdo it, and follow recipes correctly.
CALCIUM:
In addition, dogs absolutely need calcium in their diets. More than we do. A calcium supplement is essential when feeding homemade dog food. Find a good calcium supplement at pet supply stores. Here is a good example: Only Natural Pet Store – Everything Natural for Dogs & Cats
MULTIVITAMIN AND MINERAL SUPPLEMENTS:
A good multivitamin is essential when feeding homemade dog food.
Always check with your vet, or purchase an excellent dog food recipe book that is focused on canine nutrition. You will find so many excellent books, with choices for variation of recipes that sometimes you will think you are reading a human cookbook.
These specialty dog food cookbooks should be written by specialist in nutrition for animals and/or veterinarians (D.V.M).
I started making my girls homemade dog food using Dr. Pitcairns recipes in the book shown here. It is still my favorite guide to refer back to and it has extensive information on dog’s nutritional needs, and is easy to understand.
If you are just starting out making homemade dog food, this is the book I would always recommend first.
Your dog can quickly become deficient in certain areas if not given the proper balance of food, nutrients, vitamins, minerals and supplements.
Research, read and follow the advice of someone who is a professional.
My guideline above is just that. I am not a specialist or expert, although I have spent a lot of time reading, reviewing and looking into what is needed to feed homemade dog food.
I feed my two Labs homemade dog food, interspersed with premium organic dog food and lately have been using the dehydrated pre-mix shown below.
The above formula in the chart is what I have used for many years and my “girls” are healthy, happy, bright eyed and bushy tailed. My vet and staff, and even strangers are always commenting on how healthy and shiny coated my Labs are.
Just eliminating chemical, preservatives, processed foods, mystery meat, unhealthy additives and whatever else is in cheap commercial dog food will make an extremely noticeable difference in your dog.
The other choices which are also good for your dog are organic dog food ,HERE AND HERE.
There are also many exellent natural dog foods available which are chemical free HERE.
There are so many healthy nutritious choices now available for feeding your dog that it can be overwhelming, but having a choice is much better than what we had years ago.
Here is the excellent alternative to serving organic kibble or canned food or home made dog food made fresh for your pets.
I started using dehydrated dog food recently and am thrilled and highly recommend this for someone who wants both the best premium manufactured organic dog food and freshly made natural dog food. Check these out – All you need to do is rehydrate the food and add your own protein source. Fresh cooked meat from your own kitchen, with all the proper and well balanced nutrients. Couldn’t be easier.
DR. HARVEY’S CANINE HEALTH
DR. HARVEY’S Canine Health Dehydrated Dog Food 10 lb. Bag
Dr. Harvey’s Canine Health is a revolutionary holistic dog food pre-mix. Dr. Harvey uses only the finest organic and human consumption ingredients, with no dyes, no preservatives, and no chemicals. When this meal is combined with fresh protein and oils, the result is the healthiest meal available for your companion dog.
What does it mean for Canine Health to contain the absolute best ingredients? It means three things. One, your companion dog is getting only human consumption ingredients. Two, Dr. Harvey uses no preservatives, no coloring agents, and no artificial flavors. And three, soon your dog will probably be eating healthier than you are! Canine Health includes 6 certified organic grains, 9 vegetables and 13 herbs in a whole food multi-vitamin and mineral supplement which are vital to optimal canine health.
Canine Health is a food that requires some preparation, but don’t worry, it’s not preparing Thanksgiving dinner for your dog every night! In fact, Canine Health only takes 8 minutes, and it only requires boiling water and a little commitment. But what a difference it will make in your dog’s life!
The 20 oz. bag will make 8 1 lb. servings, the 5 lb. bag will make 33 1 lb. servings, and the 10 lb. bag will make 66 1 lb. servings
DR. HARVEY’S philosophy is to provide the finest all natural products for animals available anywhere. We are dedicated to educating guardians of companion animals and our customers about the benefits of holistic ways to keep their companion animals healthy. Our utmost desire is to keep our customers and their companion animals happy and healthy. Their company is also dedicated to the rescue of animals and help to support organizations that make the rescue and shelter of animals possible.
Order here: Free Shipping on Orders Starting at $49 – Only Natural Pet Store
HONEST KITCHEN
HONEST KITCHEN Dehydrated Dog Food Verve 10 lb. Box
THE HONEST KITCHEN makes wholesome, natural food for dogs using gentle dehydration, a unique new approach to canine nutrition. These foods help you create delicious and nutritious meals made with real, recognizable, and human-grade ingredients that are ready to prepare and serve at home. Simply add warm water to rehydrate, and you have a complete meal with USDA meat, fresh fruits and vegetables, organic flaxseed, herbs, vitamins, minerals, and organic grains (in Verve).
THE HONEST KITCHEN’S dehydrated food offers many of the benefits of a biologically appropriate raw pet food diet, combined with the convenience and peace of mind of a nutritionally balanced, ready-blended product. Dehydration simply removes the moisture, which prevents decomposition. As an ancient form of preserving food, virtually all of the nutrients are left intact. This is a much “fresher”, and therefore healthier, approach than the extrusion process that dry kibble undergoes. See below for a description of each formula. All of HONEST KITCHEN’S dog food and dehydrated raw dog food products are formulated to meet the AAFCO nutrient profiles for dogs and you don’t have to add anything to make them ‘complete’. However, the original idea behind these diets was as a base for a raw or other fresh homemade diet and to facilitate that, they are somewhat ‘lite’ in terms of fat and protein, so that your own choice of raw, or cooked, meat can be added, if desired.
It is entirely a matter of personal choice (and your dog’s taste!) whether you add in extra meat and other ingredients, or not. Most people with younger and more active dogs like to mix in the additional meat, and those with senior or overweight animals usually prefer to feed the organic dog food alone. The Honest Kitchen supplies pet owners with the best in fresh dehydrated raw dog food and other organic dog food products.
THE HONEST KITCHEN also has a grain free dehydrated food, and many other choices available, including food that is good for puppies and overweight dogs. Check them all out here at: Only Natural Pet Store – Everything Natural for Dogs & Cats
Order Here: Free Shipping on Orders Starting at $49 – Only Natural Pet Store
SOJO’S
(Sojourner’s Farms)
Sojos Europa Grain-Free Dog Food Mix 8 lb.
SOJOS Europa Grain-Free Dog Food Mix is a healthy pre-mix that you combine with meat for easy and nutritious home made meals for your dog. Dogs, by nature, are healthiest on fresh whole foods. Europa is made with no preservatives, and nothing artificial. Because Europa is grain-free, it’s great for sensitive dogs. Simply soak it in water and add the meat of your choice. You can cook the meat, or leave it raw for the superior nutrition of a raw diet, with the ease and convenience of a pre-made food. It’s a great way to give your dog a fresh, home-prepared meal in minutes. Europa is also a great fruit & veggie supplement to SOJO’S other diets.
Order here: Free Shipping on Orders Starting at $49 – Only Natural Pet Store
