Dog Lovers Advice

Making your very own dog food to feed your puppies and dogs is a good alternative to buying dry dog food or tinned ones as they are more convenient and cheaper. No more lugging heavy sacks or tins to the check out. All you need is some basic dog nutrition facts and voila, a feast for your favorite furry friend.

First of all, different dog breeds require different nutrition. So to be sure, consult your vet before trying to make your very own recipes. Non working dogs, pregnant bitches or lactating bitches and puppies also differ in needs, so you need to be careful and accommodate their dietary requirements for their different conditions.

Remember that the dog's earliest ancestor used to hunt for their food. While dogs are thought of as carnivores, they are actually omnivores and need meat and vegetables like us humans. In ancient times, these dogs ate meat, bone and organs. And since these prey usually eat grass, they also ingest these in their systems when they feed.

According to Dr. Ben E. Sheffy and James A. Baker from the Institute for Animal Health, at Cornell University, non working adult dogs need a combination of 16% protein, 10% fat, 44% carbohydrates and 20% calories from protein. For young adults, pregnant bitches and working dogs, the following diet is recommended: 20% protein, 12% fat, 38% carbohydrates and 24% calories from protein. Lactating mothers and puppies will need: of 24% protein, 14% fat, 32% carbohydrates and 28% calories from protein.

Do you need to follow the numbers stipulated above? Well, it would be hard to follow everything to a T, but you can always try. The numbers above serve as guidelines as to which to avoid or what kinds of food should there be plenty of. More like rule of the thumb than a strict regimen that you have to follow.

So, how to make your own dog food? A simple recipe for an adult non working dog would be a mixture of lean pork, beef or chicken meat. If they have some fat in them, then it's alright but remember that too much is also bad. For the carbs, add some boiled potatoes or rice. Veggies are also good for dogs so add in a pureed mixture of carrots, broccoli (rich in protein) or tomatoes. Fish is also a good source of protein and has lesser fat than red meat.

One of the advantages of these homemade goodies is that they are healthy and made from natural ingredients. Store bought dog foods sometimes contain preservatives and salt which are not good for your pets. You can feed these to your dog raw, but cooking it would be better as raw foods sometimes contain salmonella and other bacteria. If you want to make big portions, remember to stick back the leftovers in the freezer for the next meal.

To have more varieties and recipes, consult other dog owners, the vet and surf the web for free dog dishes that you can feed your pet. If you can, keep the ingredients fresh, organic and natural. Variety also plays an important role to keep your pet eating and healthy.