With the insatiable appetite of dogs, the feed is the ideal option, but if you want to pamper him and try different things, I assure you he will enjoy the variety of recipes that you can prepare at home. We invite you to continue reading to learn about healthy homemade dog food.
Learn about homemade dog food
In most of our homes, dogs are literally part of our family, they not only share our spaces, but also mom's love and even our bed; But when it comes to food, we get into chaos because we have always heard: "people's food harms animals", however, in this post you will learn about homemade food for dogs that does not affect their health.
This is not entirely true, because the variety in the human diet is extensive and there are many foods that we can perfectly share with dogs, especially those of organic and animal origin.
Additionally, it is important to consider that our organisms are different and therefore do not work the same. The level of tolerance to certain foods for people can be drastically negative for our puppies, that's how there are prohibited foods for dogs, which we definitely should not give them because they can be fatal to their health.
Currently, we have a wide variety of dog food recipes Although they are not intended to replace feed (also known as perrarina), they can be part of a balanced diet.
Homemade dog food recipes
Whether to vary the diet or simply to pamper your friend, then we present you homemade diets for dogs, healthy, varied in flavor and texture, simple to prepare and above all that will be delicious to your palate.
Regarding the ingredients, we will separate them into 3 large groups according to their main food: chicken, meat and others.
Recipes with chicken or turkey for dogs
They are easy to make and inexpensive recipes, it is extremely important not to use salt because it is harmful to dogs. Let's see some of them below:
Chicken pasta recipe for dogs
The ideal is to use macaroni, but you can perfectly use any type of pasta, as long as you make sure they are discreet in size.
Ingredients:
Short pasta
4 cups of water
3 eggs
1 chicken breast
1 Carrot
Broccoli or Spinach
Preparation:
First of all, you need to pour the water into a large pot and bring it to a boil. Meanwhile, cut the chicken and vegetables into small pieces. Once the water is boiling, add all the ingredients except the eggs until cooked.
On the other hand, take the eggs and make a traditional omelette and, as soon as it is ready, you must cut it into small squares. When the pasta and vegetables are cooked, drain the water, mix with the tortilla chips, let cool and serve. You should not use salt at any time during its preparation.
Chicken and potatoes recipe for dogs
This is a perfectly edible recipe for people, delicious, healthy and high in protein that your pet is sure to love.
Ingredients:
2 potatoes
1 Carrot
20g of peas
1 chicken breast
1 tsp olive oil
Preparation:
Dice the potatoes and carrots (without removing the skin), and cook them together with the peas for approximately 20 minutes. While the vegetables are cooking, fry the chicken previously cut into small squares in the olive oil and without allowing it to brown. It is not necessary to add salt or any other flavoring.
Let cool, mix with a touch of olive oil and serve.
Rice with chicken and vegetables recipe for dogs
Although too much rice can be harmful, rice with chicken and vegetables is an excellent recipe for dogs, as it has a high nutritional content. This, like other homemade recipes, is suggested as a special dish in the diet of our pets.
Ingredients:
1 cup of brown rice
4 cups of water
½ kg of minced chicken
Carrots 2
1 potato
1 cup spinach and/or broccoli
1 tsp olive oil
Preparation:
Prepare the brown rice with the cups of water as you normally do, but without salt, try to achieve a softer texture than normal.
On the other hand, cut the rest of the ingredients into squares and place them in a pan with a little water and oil, cover them and cook them over low heat. Once ready, evenly mix the vegetables and chicken with the rice, let cool and confidently feed them to your dog.
This recipe is designed for 4 servings for a medium dog.
Turkey meatballs recipe for dogs
Like chicken, turkey is a pretty healthy option for our dogs. Turkey meatballs are without a doubt one of your favorite dishes.
Ingredients:
1 bowl of bread dough
¼ cup turkey broth
2 tablespoons of flour
¾ cup chopped cooked turkey
½ cup of cooked vegetables
1 egg
¼ cup of sesame seeds (sesame)
Preparation:
The first thing you should do is roll out the bread dough to about 1cm thick and then cut into circles based on the size of meatballs you have in mind.
In a large pot, heat the turkey broth over low heat and mix with the flour until you obtain a homogeneous mass, gradually add the turkey and vegetables. As soon as the turkey takes color (little cooking) turn off the heat and let cool. Then you place a tablespoon of the mixture in each circle of dough and close them like a ball to place them on a tray.
Finally, brush the meatballs with beaten egg, spread the sesame seeds on them and take the tray to the oven for 10 or 15 minutes. Serve at room temperature and enjoy
Recipes with beef for dogs
It will surely become one of your dog's favorites, but you must pay attention to the portions, everything in excess is harmful and even more so if your dog is not used to it, which is why it should be used with caution in the diet of our animals. Preferably use meat with little fat and cook it a little to avoid infections or undesirable bacteria.
Recipe of meat with pasta for dogs
It is a variation of the pasta with chicken, but this time we will use red meat and only one vegetable. No salt and the meat as raw as possible.
Ingredients:
300gr of minced meat
200g of wholemeal pasta
100gr of carrots
Preparation:
To kill the possible bacteria that the meat may bring, we will place it in a pan for 3 or 5 minutes (until it reaches a temperature of 100°) We cook the pasta together with the carrots and, once it is ready, we mix it with the pieces meat and list
Meat and apple recipe for dogs
Including fruit in your pet's diet is a delicious option, in any of its varieties. Next, we present a mixed and very nutritious dish that you can easily prepare at home.
Ingredients:
1 apple (red or green), diced
300g minced beef
200g of chopped chicken breast
200g minced pork loin
1 can of tuna in oil
2 carrots with skin diced
2 leaves of chopped lettuce
200gr of rice
1 egg, boiled and diced
100gr of cheese to spread
Preparation:
The first step is to mix the 3 meats (beef, chicken and pork) in a pan and sauté with a touch of olive oil for 2 or 3 minutes. Next, cook the rice together with the carrot and lettuce. Then mix the cheese with the egg and the tuna in a bowl.
Once cold all the ingredients are mixed and served in a portion suitable for the size of your dog.
Veal meatballs recipe for dogs
As a main dish or as a reward in positive reinforcement techniques, meatballs will be special to give to your dog. You can choose to offer them semi-raw or well cooked and experiment with the recipe with other types of meat (chicken, pork or fish)
Ingredients:
250g ground beef
3 cups of beef broth
3 eggs
1 cup of soy milk
¼ cup virgin olive oil
Preparation:
Before you start, you must pre-heat the oven to 180°. Meanwhile, beat the eggs in a bowl and mix the ingredients, except for the meat broth, which you will add as long as the dough requires it until you obtain a smooth and homogeneous texture. Let it rest for a few minutes, form small balls and take them to the oven in a tray for 45 minutes and once they are cold you can give them to your pet.
Other recipes for dogs
Meat will always be the main food in your dog's life, however, we have organ meats, vegetables and cereals on hand that we can incorporate as part of those special meal recipes that also offer a nutritional contribution to their diet.
Recipe of oatmeal croquettes for dogs
Oatmeal is a highly nutritious food that can offer your dog extra energy on those days of a lot of physical activity. This recipe is rich in copper, zinc, iron and magnesium.
Ingredients:
2 cups oatmeal flakes
1 potato peeled and chopped
½ cup vegetable butter
2 tsp baking powder
Preparation:
Preheat the oven to 180° and cook the potatoes until they are soft. Place the potatoes, still hot, in a bowl and puree while you add the rest of the ingredients to the mixture.
To avoid burning your hands, wait for the dough to cool down and then make the croquettes, place them on a previously oiled tray (so they don't stick) and take them to the oven for approximately 45 minutes (it will depend on the size of each one)
Recipe of liver omelettes with rosemary and bread for dogs
This formula is designed for healthy adult dogs, it is low cost and easy to prepare, it offers a significant volume of vitamins, proteins and minerals.
Ingredients:
3 eggs
100g of chicken liver
1 piece of stale bread
1 tsp rosemary (fresh leaves)
1 tbsp olive oil
Preparation:
First, we soak the bread in a little water. Immediately chop the liver into small pieces and sauté it in olive oil just to eliminate possible bacteria, so it must be raw.
Next, beat the eggs in a mole and mix with the rest of the ingredients. With the mixture ready, we proceed to pour it into a projecting pan and turn as soon as our tortilla is defined. Let cool and ready
Veggie recipe for dogs
No less appetizing than meat, vegetables are a source of vitamins and antioxidants necessary for our pets and a vegan recipe cannot be missing from our repertoire of homemade dog food. Sure your friend will enjoy it
Ingredients:
1 cup of brown rice
2 cups of water
Carrots 2
1 Zucchini
½ cup peas
3 cups baby spinach
1 tbsp olive oil
Preparation:
To start the preparation, make sure to wash all the vegetables very well and cut them without removing the skin into small pieces (comfortable for your dog's snout) In a large cauldron, place the olive oil and when it is hot, sauté the vegetables without allowing them to they roast
Next, add the rice and mix evenly, then pour in the water and stir over high heat. As soon as the rice dries, you should reduce the flame to a minimum and cover. Wait about 20 minutes, turn off and voila. Serve at room temperature.
Benefits of homemade dog food
In general, home-made food has always been considered healthier, basically because we can guarantee the freshness and proper handling of food. In addition to this, we can consider the following benefits:
- Together with the veterinarian, it allows us to prepare a diet adjusted to the needs of our dog, considering the breed, size, weight, age, etc.
- The consumption of chemical additives is reduced to a minimum, freeing our pet from allergies that can be caused by commercial feed.
- By including a variety of flavors and colors (fruits, vegetables, meat and fish), the food will be much more appetizing for the dog.
- It contributes to good digestion, reducing the frequency of your bowel movements.
- With the intake of 100% natural foods, you increase your defenses and exponentially strengthen your immune system.
- Excluding salt, artificial spices and other seasonings that can be harmful to our dog, we can perfectly share the menu. Since it should not become a boring commitment to prepare food for them.
Disadvantages of homemade dog food
Dog food, whether natural or processed, can bring undesirable results for our animals, however, a large part of the damage that can affect the health of your friend is caused by excesses.
The disadvantages are mostly directed at the willingness of people to assume this responsibility, among these we can mention:
- It requires dedicating a specific time to its preparation, preferably daily to avoid some type of decomposition or that some foods lose properties during their conservation.
- It is necessary to have the variety of ingredients required for each recipe because it is not always possible to make only one type of dish.
- It can be expensive due to the high protein dose that dogs require in their daily diet, in fact, much higher than that of humans. Additionally, you may require supplies that are not in season and, in addition to being expensive, are difficult to find.
- It is easy for you to exceed the portion of some food, the diet must be strict and balanced so that it can generate benefits for your dog.
Homemade dog food at every stage
At each stage, dogs have different food needs. From birth to old age they require a variety of nutrients that allow them to meet their needs, stay healthy and have quality of life.
Diets for dogs
Here are some diets for dogs according to their age:
homemade diet for puppies
It is essential that the puppies are properly breastfed by their mother, at least during their first month and a half of birth, as this will guarantee them highly nutritious food, creating the foundations of their immune system for the rest of their lives.
If for some reason the puppy cannot be breastfed, you should go to the vet to indicate a special milk formula that meets the requirements of your pet in accordance with its breed, sex, age, etc. And then go incorporating solid foods allowed until maturity.
Homemade diet for adult dogs
In this phase, their appetite is voracious and it is when they show greater interest in people's food, unaware that some foods can be harmful to their health.
It's not just about what which the dogs eat, but also the amount and frequency. It is common to see dogs fed homemade food, obese. It is difficult to maintain a balanced diet. However, to achieve success with this type of sustenance, it is important to plan a complete menu to acquire in advance the ingredients that allow the established diet to be fulfilled.
Homemade diet for older or elderly dogs
If throughout his life your dog has enjoyed a balanced diet, he is probably strong and a healthy old age awaits him.
In any case, since you are in the last stage of your life and you are losing your ability to absorb nutrients, you should pay attention to the supply of necessary vitamins, such as:
- Vitamin A, recommended for eyesight.
- Vitamin D contributes to calcium absorption to keep your bones strong.
- Vitamin K helps healing because it stimulates blood coagulation. Being extremely necessary in the prevention of hemorrhages.
- Vitamin E helps the formation of red blood cells for proper blood flow.
Can I substitute feed for homemade dog food?
The answer is yes. There is no contraindication to feeding your pet homemade food. The most important thing is to do it gradually and with the guidance of a veterinary nutrition expert, since each dog has different food needs.
Additionally, if you struggle with the situation that my dog does not want to eat, for sure the homemade food will be an attraction that you will not be able to resist.
