Lean meats and Offal are the building block of life, so for a growing pup or a high energy dog – a good source of high-quality protein is important. Using lean cuts of meat or mince (like chicken or turkey) is best. If you want to spoil your pooch with some steak, go for it, just be sure to trim the fat!
Chicken, turkey, lean ground beef, and chuck steak or roast are animal-based proteins, which help dogs grow strong. A few rules apply: Always cook meat well.
Dogs generally have an easier time digesting animal-based proteins than plant-based proteins, as their digestive systems are adapted to break down and absorb nutrients from meat. Chicken is a common protein source in commercial dog foods and is considered highly digestible by most dogs.
Cooked raw meat like ground beef, ground turkey, or ground chicken can be used in this homemade recipe, it is going to taste better than dog foods that sit in a bag or on the shelf. Senior dogs lose their appetite and need soft food in small pieces as sometimes they don't have all their teeth to chew.
For this reason, lamb is often a better candidate. While a 100g serving of beef provides 25.9g of protein compared to lamb's 24.5g, the same serving of lamb has more of the needed amino acids, or building blocks to assist with muscle growth and maintenance. Lamb was also once labeled as “hypoallergenic” meat.
A complete and balanced lamb and rice dog food, for example, will provide your dog with all the nutrition he needs, from protein and fat to vitamins and minerals. In addition, if your dog is over the age of seven, you might want to switch to a diet specially formulated for dogs seven and up.
Quality Proteins
Lamb isn't a common protein, meaning that most dogs haven't had the chance to develop an allergy or food sensitivity to it. It's also an easily-digestible protein which is great for avoiding stomach upsets. Salmon based dog food is also great for dogs with sensitive stomachs AND skin.
Don't use toxic ingredients, including xylitol, onions, garlic, chocolate and raisins, says Dr. Jeffrey, whose professional focus includes preventative care. If you're planning to make homemade peanut butter dog treats, read the label carefully.
Research has proven, and your veterinarian will tell you, that a healthy, well-balanced diet for your dog must include whole-food ingredients that provide the following: protein, fats and fatty acids, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and water.
Chicken & Turkey Skin, Ham, & Other Fatty Cuts of Meat
These food items contain a high-fat content, which can cause acute pancreatitis, a life-threatening illness with severe complications. Avoid turkey bones too. Dogs can develop severe indigestion or vomiting after eating turkey bones.
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.
Shredded chicken is easy on upset stomachs and acts as a huge eating incentive for dogs with decreased appetites. Plain, unseasoned, boiled, shredded chicken is easy to digest and is packed with essential vitamins, minerals, fats, and amino acids, making it a great snack for dogs feeling under the weather.
White meats such as chicken, turkey, and fish are palatable to dogs and tend to have a low fat content, making them great for pups with digestive issues. As an added bonus, these meats are also a great source of lean and digestible protein.
Start by focusing on the protein source in your homemade dog food. Human-grade beef, chicken, turkey, egg, lamb, fish, rabbit, and tofu are all good options. Then round out your recipe with healthy fats and carbohydrates (vegetable oil and brown rice, for example) and vitamin and mineral supplements.
Most Homemade Diets Are NOT Complete & Balanced
So when you speak to your veterinarian in the clinic they know that there is a low chance that the homemade recipe that you are feeding your pup is actually complete and balanced to both AAFCO and NRC standards.
Yes – as long as you feed the safe types of beef! Cooked beef can be given as meal toppers or treats. However, you cannot feed your dog only cooked beef every day. Dogs need a complete and balanced diet with the correct proportions of nutrients.
One of the primary benefits of cooking your dog's food is that you can give them healthy foods that you won't find in store-bought dog foods. For example, ginger and pumpkin both offer great health benefits that can strengthen your dog's long-term health. You can gradually incorporate those foods into your dog's diet.
Broccoli is safe for dogs to eat frozen, raw or cooked, plus it's packed full of vitamins and minerals. Broccoli should be treated as an occasional snack and the florets, in particular, should only be eaten in small amounts.
Yes. Like many other fruits and vegetables, dogs get health benefits from carrots. In fact, every part of this vegetable, from the carrot itself to the leafy green tops, is safe for dogs to eat. They're a good, natural treat, and most dogs seem to like the flavor, too.
Are Peas Good for Dogs? Used as a snack or a small part of your dog's regular diet, snow peas, sugar snap peas, and garden (or English) peas are not harmful in tiny amounts. In fact, they may even be of value; for example, peas contain antioxidants that are good for skin, heart, and eye health.
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.
The most common food allergens in dogs are proteins, especially those from dairy, beef, chicken, chicken eggs, soy, or wheat gluten. Each time a pet eats food containing these substances, the antibodies react with the antigens, and symptoms occur. Virtually any food ingredient can produce an allergy, however.