Do not begin cooking for your dog without consulting a veterinary nutritionist first! This may be detrimental to your dog’s health. For example, dogs can easily develop weak bones and teeth if they do not get the proper ratio of calcium phosphate in their food.
A quick, easy option that you can discuss with a veterinary nutritionist is a beef stew. You’ll need a pound of stew meat, a sweet potato, and half a cup each of diced carrots, diced green beans, flour, and water or vegetable oil. Cook the stew meat and sweet potato in advance. Then, combine the cooked items with the uncooked in a pot. Simmer on medium low heat until carrots are soft. Makes about four servings of one cup each. Beef and rice is a recipe that provides a larger quantity of food at a lower cost. You’ll need two and half pounds of ground beef, one and half cups of brown rice, one fifteen ounce can of drained and rinsed kidney beans, one and half cup of chopped seasonal squash, one and a half cups of chopped carrots, and half a cup of frozen peas. Stir all ingredients together with about four cups of water. Cook in a crockpot on low heat for about five hours or high heat for two. Provides eleven one cup servings. You can also make snacks for your dog. Chicken jerky is a great option. Slice boneless, skinless chicken breasts into strips that are an eighth of an inch thick. Then, bake for two hours at 200 degrees. Always cool food to room temperature or lower before serving it to your dog. [1] X Research source
Quality protein should make up at least 18% of an adult dog’s diet. Fats should comprise at least 5% of the dog’s diet. Additionally, linoleic acid, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and vitamins should make up at least an additional 5% of the dog’s nutrition. The remaining 70 to 75% of the dog’s nutrition should include water, healthy sources of fiber, minerals, and carbohydrates. [3] X Research source
Oils provide healthy omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that help immune function and digestion. You may want to include fish oil, cod liver oil specifically, or plant oils. Calcium is especially important as dogs are growing, but a good rule of thumb is to include about 1000 mg of calcium per pound of food. This can be added with a supplement or by grinding non-treated egg shells. Your dog also needs vitamins A, D, and E as well as appropriate amounts of Iodine and phosphorous. Look into the vitamin content of your oils, and supplement these vitamins and minerals as necessary. Most vitamins need to be included in very minimal amounts, so read supplement instructions carefully and talk to your veterinarian for additional guidance. [4] X Research source
You can give your pup a few low calorie treats throughout the fasting day. Do not fast puppies, pregnant or lactating mothers, or older dogs as this lack of nutrients can be harmful in these developmental stages.
Look for labels that say the food is “fit for human consumption. ” If you can’t eat your dog’s food safely, it is much more likely to harm your dog’s digestive system.
Check for the percentages of protein, fat, and other nutrients in addition to reading the ingredient list. Different foods may offer the same amounts of key nutrients, but they can vary dramatically in price. This is generally because the more affordable foods use lower quality protein sources. Purchase the best quality food you can afford. [7] X Research source
Ask your veterinarian if there are any breed-specific nutritional requirements you should know about. Find information online about your dog’s breed, and use that to make a more informed dog food purchase or to make a well-rounded meal at home. [13] X Research source
Puppies need to take in food equivalent to two to three percent of their ideal adult weight, and they need to be fed four to six times a day in the first six months. From six months to a year, continue to feed them the same quantity of food and gradually reduce feeding times to twice a day. By one year, your puppy should be ready for adult food and feeding guidelines. Continue to offer them the same quantity of food (two to three percent of ideal body weight) over two feedings. From age and seven and up, reduce the calorie content of your dog’s food and consider adding more supplements that support immune function and joint health include prebiotics and glucosamine. [14] X Research source
