Thinking about cooking for your dog?

Feeding a homemade diet for your dog can be a great way to provide them with a healthy, balanced diet that meets their specific needs. However, it's important to understand the benefits, considerations and potential pitfalls before switching to a homemade diet. It is super important to note that not all dogs are the same and not all dog owners are the same, when considering the “best” diet for your dog there are lots of things to take into consideration. eg.

1. What is you budget?

2. How much time do you have to prepare food?

3. Do you have storage space for frozen meals?

4. What is your accessibility to quality ingredients?

Benefits of Homemade Diets for Dogs

One of the biggest benefits of a homemade diet for your dog is that you have complete control over the ingredients. This allows you to tailor their diet to their specific needs and preferences. Homemade diets can also be a good option for dogs with sensitivities allergies or digestive issues, as you can avoid certain ingredients that may be causing problems.

In addition, homemade diets can provide a fresher and more varied diet than commercial dog food. This can be beneficial for dogs who are picky eaters or have a low appetite.

Considerations When Feeding a Homemade Diet

While homemade diets can be a great option for many dogs, there are some considerations to keep in mind.

1. Nutritional Balance: It's important to ensure that your dog's homemade diet is nutritionally balanced. Consult with a veterinarian experienced in small animal nutrition or a veterinary nutritionist to develop a balanced diet plan. Be aware that it is quite complex to make a single diet nutritionally complete, and a nutritionally balanced diet varies a lot for different dog breeds, in for different growth/age’s or lifestages.

2. Preparation: Homemade diets require more preparation time than commercial dog food. This includes sourcing ingredients, preparing meals, and ensuring that food is stored and handled safely.

3. Cost: Depending on the ingredients you choose, a homemade diet can be more expensive than commercial dog food. Be sure to budget accordingly.

4. Food Safety: Proper food safety is crucial when feeding a homemade diet. This includes storing and handling food and food handling equipment properly (bowls, chopping boards, food processors, knives etc) and avoiding certain ingredients that can be toxic to dogs (such as chocolate, onions, grapes and garlic).

5. Many good quality prepared foods are available and these will also provide great nutrition for most dogs.

6. If you do not want to/can’t/dont have the time/money to prepare food for your dog then it is perfectly fine to choose a quality nutritionally balanced kibble or wet food. You can even supplement this with upto 30% “treat” food eg. chicken/beef/veggies etc

Tips for Feeding a Homemade Diet

1. Consult with a veterinarian with further education in veterinary nutrition to develop a balanced diet plan.Like me!

2. Choose high-quality ingredients, including protein sources, whole grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables.

3. Prepare and store food in a clean and safe manner.

4. Make up food in daily portions and prepare freshly, anything not eaten within 72 hours of preparation should be labeled, dated, frozen and used within 3 months of freezing.

5. Monitor your dog's weight and overall health, and make adjustments to their diet as necessary. Veterinarians use a “body condition” score to determine the best body condition for your dog, you should ask about your dogs body condition and ideal weight during their regular check ups.

In conclusion, a homemade diet for your dog can be a great way to provide them with a healthy and balanced diet. However, it's important to consider the nutritional balance, preparation time, cost, and food safety before making the switch. With careful planning and monitoring, a homemade diet can provide many benefits for your furry friend.