Oppose to commercial and processed supermarket dog foods, a well-balanced homemade diet that includes high-quality protein sources, healthy fats, and a variety of fruits and vegetables can be a healthy option for your dog.
No vet disagrees that homemade dog food is healthier for pets, but it is important to ensure that the homemade diet is nutritionally balanced and meets all of the dog’s nutritional needs. Dogs require a specific balance of nutrients, including protein, fat, and carbohydrates, as well as certain vitamins and minerals.
While normal dogs can eat and thrive on homemade cooking the only thing to watch out for is your dog’s individual needs and health status. Some dogs may have medical conditions or allergies that require special dietary considerations. So, before starting your dog on a homemade diet, contact your veterinarian or animal nutritionist to familiarise yourself with specific canine nutrition.
We believe; you can cook homemade pet food without relying on commercial products. In this example, we want you to be inspired by the story of Lilly’s Kitchen as you carry out your noble act.
“It is about “Henrietta Morrison” and her dog Lily; who founded the award-winning pet food company Lily’s Kitchen. Her story revealed how she began started cooking homemade meals with 100% human-grade ingredients, such as lamb, lentils, vegetables, botanical herbs, and even blueberries, to complete the recovery of Lilly; when her female dog was ill.”
Our Regards to Lily’s Kitchen Founder: Henrietta Morrison
How Homemade Food is Healthy and Cost Effective?
Cooking homemade dog food saves you more than money, even though it frees you from commercial food taxes and packaging costs the real benefit is the risks free food that is all healthy for your lovely four-leg fried.
You can make your own pet food from fresh ingredients and it enhances your pet’s health and well-being. Additionally, feeding your dog human-grade ingredients, devoid of chemicals, unknown oils, animal derivatives, and low-quality fillers will guarantee that your pet is getting the greatest nutrition available for a long life.
We believe; any pet owner can cook at home without relying on commercial products. In this example, we want you to be inspired by the story of Lilly’s Kitchen Founder as you carry out your noble act of homemade pet food.
“It is about “Henrietta Morrison” and her dog Lily; who founded the award-winning pet food company Lily’s Kitchen. Her story revealed how she began started cooking homemade meals with 100% human-grade ingredients, such as lamb, lentils, vegetables, botanical herbs, and even blueberries, to complete the recovery of Lilly; when her female dog was ill.”
Our Regards to Lily’s Kitchen Founder: Henrietta Morrison
Formula for a Balanced Homemade Recipe
A healthy balance of protein, carbohydrates and herbs including vitamins and minerals is necessary for dogs’ diets. Such that our recommendation is 40% protein, 40% vegetables, 10% add-ons, and 10% carbohydrate starch that comes from grains to make a 100% complete recipe for overall delicious tasty, and healthy dog food.
Homemade Dog Food Flavor Enhancers (Add-Ons)
While calcium, vitamins, and minerals were obtained from natural fruits and vegetables, add-ons are not supplements; rather, they are a portion in which you may combine flavours from other meals. You can say add-ons are flavour enhancers that will make your homemade dog food recipe more palatable.
It is worth mentioning that you can utilise leftovers from your dinner, including raw and cooked items that are not harmful to your dog’s health, to flavour their meal.
- Boiled and mashed Sweet Potatoes for natural Vitamin A and fibres.
- A low-sodium Broth can be Chicken, Beef, or Turkey.
- Shreds of cooked Ground Beef or Chicken Breast.
- A small portion of Milk or Yoghurt that is not frozen.
- Can add cooked Rice, which can be both white and brown rice.
- Serve the Cottage Cheese, either crushed or cooked.
- You can add Peanut Butter without sugar substitute.
- If you are generous you can add Coconut Oil as well as Honey.
- Dogs can also eat Pasta and Oatmeal, but avoid hard nuts.
- Leftovers of white or brown Bread slices, but not too hard.
Homemade Dog Food Precautions Worth Notice
To ensure your dog’s well-being, it is important to follow the safety guidelines for what goes into their food and avoid ingredients that may cause stomach issues. Similar to humans, dogs can have food poisoning from certain ingredients and should be avoided for optimal care.
Ingredients to Avoid in Homemade Dog Foods
- Seasoning and Spices: You can feed your dog most human-grade raw and cooked meals, just avoid Spices, Cinnamon, as it concerns their health.
- Avoid Unhealthy Veggies: According to the AKC; Asparagus, Mushrooms, Garlic, Onions and even Grapes are unsafe for dogs’ digestive systems.
- Alcohol: You should also avoid alcohol, it is completely unhealthy and vets don’t recommend it.
- Hard Nuts: Although you can feed oatmeal to your pooch, avoid Almonds, Macadamia nuts, Avocados, and Raisins.
- Chocolate: Dogs and cats don’t like chocolates, and neither Coffee nor other artificial sweeteners.
- Hot and Cold: You should also not sever any hot or too-cold meals to your pets. Cats cannot handle cold, and neither dogs like hot meals that burn their tongue and lips.
Transitioning from Commercial to Homemade Dog Food
Transitioning your dog from commercial to homemade food can be a healthy and cost-effective choice for your pet. However, it’s important to do it carefully do it, and avoid upsetting your dog’s belly.
To start the transition, you can begin by mixing small amounts of homemade food into your dog’s current commercial diet for five-to-seven days. Then gradually increase the amount of homemade food and decrease the amount of commercial food over the course of two weeks. This gradual transition can help your dog’s digestive system adjust to the new food.
