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 American Veterinary Medical Association recommends avoiding a raw food diet. In fact, the association released a statement advising pet owners that it discourages feeding cats and dogs any animal-source protein that has not first been cooked or pasteurized to destroy pathogenic organisms.
Cooking for your dog offers benefits like diet management, appeasing picky eaters, and bond-building. Common home cooking mistakes include using unsafe ingredients and not preparing balanced meals. While homemade dog food has merits, pre-prepared foods with whole ingredients are now available.
Multiple studies have shown the correlation between fresh food and a dog's longevity. Integrating as little as 20% of fresh food can make a big difference - as little as small pieces of fruit and vegetables each day rather than processed treats.
Even some recipes created by veterinarians don't measure up. The University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine tested 200 recipes, many written by vets. The researchers found most of the recipes were short on some essential nutrients.
But most people don't account for key micronutrients. Most of the recipes Larsen's team reviewed were lacking in zinc, choline, copper, and EPA plus DHA (two key omega-3 fatty acids). That may in part be because folks don't realize you can't make dog food without adding a supplemental multivitamin.
Recommended serving amounts for homemade dog food
As a general rule, dogs will eat around 2 to 3 percent of their ideal body weight in fresh food daily. Larger breeds may need as little as 1 1/2 percent, and smaller breeds may need as much as 4 percent.
You can give your dog chicken and rice every day, but it is much healthier to include other ingredients as well. You need to ensure that your dog gets enough nutrients, including vitamins and minerals.
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.
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.
Don't Use Unsafe or Unhealthy Ingredients
For example, ingredients like chocolate, grapes, avocado, xylitol, onions, raisins, garlic, and macadamia nuts should never be fed to dogs. This list is not exhaustive so be sure to always research ingredients before adding any to your dog's diet.
Sweet potato is a safe, healthy, and natural treat for dogs, offering a range of health benefits (and a sweet flavor they'll likely love). For example, sweet potatoes support a healthy digestive system thanks to their high dietary fiber content. They're also low in fat and contain essential vitamins like B6, C, and A.
Royal Canin Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food
Laflamme recommended Royal Canin for their peer-reviewed research, owned facilities and well-regarded reputation among pet parents and veterinarians.
Yes, dogs can eat rice. In fact, you may have noticed rice featured as an ingredient in commercial dog foods. However, a rice meal on its own should not be a daily affair – rice should only be part of a varied diet that offers all the nutrients your dog needs.
Both rice and oatmeal are safe for dogs and these are two ingredients often added to commercial dog food. When looking for a healthy dog food brand, you may see rice or oatmeal listed in the top few ingredients.
It is normal for pets on a raw diet to drink less water and if they are healthy, energetic and have normal toileting habits, then it is not a cause for concern.
Homemade meals may even make it possible to feed your dog well for less. Even when you add the cost of a vitamin/mineral supplement and calcium, it can still cost less than commercial food (like, as little as $3 a day).
As pet parents, the best ingredients for homemade dog food will include high-quality protein sources, healthy carbs like vegetables or grains, fat, calcium, and essential fatty acids.
Eggs are not only a perfectly safe food source for dogs – they offer much in the way of nutritional benefits. Aside from being rich in protein, eggs are also a great source of linoleic acid, Vitamin B2 and B12 and water-soluble Vitamin A – all of which are wonderful for your dog's skin and coat.