3 Benefits Of Homemade Dog Food
by William Ford
When it comes to your furry babies, you want the best for them, especially the food they eat. Besides, dogs are similar to humans. They need balanced meals containing proper nutrients that let them stay healthy and happy. Sometimes, the ingredients of dog food aren’t enough to sustain their body’s needs. If you’re considering switching your dog’s diet to a homemade one, you must first have a clear idea of what it entails.
Homemade dog food consists of ingredients that are commonly found in human food, such as vegetables. They don’t contain potential allergens and unnecessary fillers that are commonly present in commercial pet foods.
Here are the benefits that you and your four-legged companion can get from homemade meals:
Homemade Dog Food Contain Healthy Ingredients
Once you start feeding your dog homemade meals, the proper nutrients and minerals will enter the body, and your pet will feel and look better than ever. Recipes suitable for dogs include ingredients with antioxidants and Omega-3 fatty acids. Apart from being healthier than before, your dog will have great skin, a shinier coat, and brighter eyes.
You can also give them additional vitamins through nutritional food and supplements for added health benefits. For instance, carrots are rich in vitamin A. There are also supplements that provide vitamin A.
Feel free to check out blogs at dogfoodcare.com or other helpful websites to learn more about feeding your dog safely.
Homemade Dog Food Allow You To Save Money
Preparing homemade dog food can take a lot of your time, but it will help you save money. Getting to save more is one of the most deciding factors that makes fur parents switch to homemade meals for their beloved pet. If you’re feeding your furry baby a top-quality kibble that costs a lot, now may be a great time to try whipping up homemade, delicious food for your four-legged member.
Although some commercial dog food may cost less than some ingredients, they might lack nutrients that your dog needs. Poor nutrition leads to serious medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, pancreatitis, and obesity.
Homemade Food Comes With A Wide Variety
People love relishing a variety of dishes. Your dog would appreciate it too. There are numerous recipes out there that you can try every day. The same dog food will eventually bore them.
Still, the most important reason to change to a homemade diet is that commercial dog food limits the nutritional value your furry baby gets. Check out a few recipes you can follow to make your dog happy and healthy at the same time:
- Turkey and rosemary: In a saucepan, mix 6 cups of water, 1 pound of ground turkey, 2 cups of brown rice, and 1 teaspoon dried rosemary. Bring the turkey mixture to a boil and let it simmer for 20 minutes. Toss in the frozen carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower blend and cook for another 5 minutes. Let it cool before storing it in the refrigerator.
- Sweet potato and chicken instant pot dog food: Add a cup of brown rice into the instant pot. Toss in the 2 chicken breasts cut into small cubes. Add the diced carrots, frozen green beans, diced sweet potatoes, diced apples, diced celery, and 2 cups of water. Let all ingredients cook under high pressure for 25-30 minutes. Add a tablespoon of coconut oil for the final step and stir.
- Beef and veggie crockpot creation: With a 6-qt slow cooker, stir 4 cups of water, 1 ½ cups of brown rice, 2 ½ pounds of ground beef, 1 ½ cups of chopped carrots, 1 ½ cups of chopped butternut squash, 1 can of drained and rinsed kidney beans, and ½ cup of frozen or canned peas. Cover the cooker, leave it on low heat for 5-6 hours or high heat for 2-3 hours, and stir when needed. Once done, let it cool before serving it to your dog.
- Meatballs: Put 10 lb of ground beef (lean), 4 boiled and mashed carrots, 3 cans of pumpkin puree, 2 cups of oat bran, 3 slices of bread that are cubed small, 4 chopped kale stalk, 4 eggs, some salt, and flour in a large bowl and mix them all together. Then shape them into balls and sprinkle them with flour lightly. Heat in a 400-degree oven. Baking time depends on the size of the balls. For instance, if the balls’ size is similar to donut holes, then baking time will take about 25 minutes.
Final Thoughts
It seems complicated to transition from commercial dog food to homemade dog meals. Yes, it could be challenging at first, but the benefits outweigh them. Not only will your furry member be healthy but will also get to enjoy delicious, nutritious food.
If you want to learn more about changing your furry baby’s diet to homemade meals, you can ask your local veterinarian for recommendations. Consulting a professional is especially a must for dog owners who have four-legged members with an illness.