Homemade Meals for Dogs (Meat/Fish): A Complete Guide
For well in excess of 99.9% of the history of dog domestication, dogs have eaten a homemade diet broadly based on the diet of their human family. The concept of commercially prepared pet food is a recent human invention, emerging only within the last 160 years and being mainstream for less than half of that.
While commercial dog food has dominated the market in recent years, worrying pet food recalls and increasing chronic canine health problems such as obesity, allergies, kidney, liver and dental disease have witnessed a yearning for the times when dogs lived longer, healthier lives when fed a more natural, species-appropriate diet.
Homemade Meal Recipes for Meat/Fish
What are homemade meals?
Homemade meals are meals prepared from scratch by pet parents using fresh, human-grade, wholefood ingredients instead of purchasing commercially dog food.
These meals are usually cooked (though some people opt for raw diet for their dog) and formulated to mimic a dog’s ancestral diet or address specific health conditions.
A properly balanced homemade dog meal generally consists of specific ratios — often around 50% protein, 25% carbohydrates and 25% vegetables.
Health benefits of homemade meals for dogs
Feeding your dog a homemade diet provides major health benefits including improved skin and coat health, superior digestive efficiency and targeted symptom relief for chronic medical conditions. By using fresh, wholefood ingredients rather than highly processed commercial dog food, you gain total control over what enters your pet’s body.
Major health benefits
- Healthier skin and shinier coat: fresh ingredients rich in essential fatty acids prevent dry, itchy skin and lacklustre coat.
- Improved digestibility: wholefoods cooked at low temperatures preserve nutrients and are much easier on a dog’s digestive system.
- Smaller, firmer stools: improved nutrient absorption means less waste, reducing evacuation frequency and stool size.
- Elimination of toxic additives: homemade food completely avoids the artificial preservatives, chemical fillers and mysterious by-products found in commercial dog food.
- Personalised allergen control: you can explicitly exclude specific allergenic triggers like corn, wheat or specific proteins if your dog has food intolerances.
- Management of chronic health issues: clinical studies show that tailored fresh food diets drastically improve symptoms in dogs suffering from gastrointestinal and dermatological diseases.
While the health benefits are well documented, a homemade dog diet must be carefully balanced to prevent life-threatening nutritional deficiencies. Simply feeding a dog plain meat and rice will lead to severe skeletal and metabolic issues over time.
The Dog Chef Guide to Homemade Dog Food
Looking to supercharge your dog's diet with fresh food?
How much homemade food for a dog?
The general rule of thumb when feeding a dog a homemade diet is to feed between 2 and 3% of its body weight per day, less 10% if the dog has been neutered or spayed.
Frequently asked questions
Q. Is homemade dog food better that commercial dog food?
A. Yes it is, in exactly the same way that a fresh food diet is healthier for humans than highly processed takeaway food is.
Q. Can I just feed my dog meat, rice and vegetables?
A. No. This combination lacks essential nutrients like calcium, zinc, selenium and vital fatty acids. It also lacks variety.
Q. Do I need to add supplements to homemade dog food?
A. Yes. Most homemade diets require specific vitamin, mineral and calcium supplements to be fully balanced.
Q. What ingredients should I avoid feeding my dog?
A. You should avoid feeding your dog onions, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, chocolate and xylitol. Despite what you may have read, garlic is safe for dogs if fed in moderation and so is avocado. Dogs have been fed garlic since Roman times!
Q. Should I cook my dog’s food or feed it raw?
A. The choice is entirely yours. Either method is perfectly safe for both puppies and adult dogs. If you are in any doubt, speak with a qualified dog nutritionist.
Q. Can dogs eat grains in a homemade diet?
A. Yes. Grains like brown rice, rolled and millet provide excellent energy and fibre for most dogs.
Q. How do I ensure my dog gets enough calcium without bones?
A. Use a dog-safe calcium carbonate supplements such as Dog Chef Calcium.
Q. How do I transition my dog from kibble to homemade food?
A. Combine them together. Gradually increase the homemade food portion over 7 to 10 days to avoid stomach upset.
Q. Can I batch-cook and freeze homemade dog food?
A. Yes. Cook large portions, divide them into daily meal sizes, and freeze them for up to three months.
Q. How do I know if the diet is working for my dog?
A. Monitor changes. Look for a shiny coat, consistent energy levels, ideal body weight and firm stools.
Q. Should I consult a professional before starting?
A. Only if your dog has current health issues.
Nature knows best
Don't spoil fresh food with synthetic supplements. 100% natural dog nutritionist-approved plant-based superfoods!
Browse individual posts
No Results Found
The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.
0 Comments