Are you thinking of giving fresh food to your dog but you don’t know how much you should give them? In terms of diet, dogs are like humans—they have different nutritional needs from one another. Your dog’s weight, size, age, and activity level are some of the factors that need to be considered when deciding what and how much to feed them.
It’s important that your dog gets fed the right amount as nutrient deficiency may occur if you feed them too little. On the other hand, overfeeding can result in your dog becoming obese. Obesity leads to different health problems including diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis, to name a few.
If you plan to prepare homemade dog food yourself, it is best to consult a veterinarian first. They can formulate a meal plan that is best for your dog’s specific needs. However, if your lifestyle does not allow much time for shopping and cooking homemade dog food, then you can always hire the best dog food delivery service. Most of today’s best fresh dog food platforms produce human-grade dog food that meets the standards of the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) and saves you form the hassle of making your own dog food [1].
Is Fresh Dog Food The Same As Raw Dog Food?
Feeding your dog fresh food means you give them cooked or prepared food made with natural ingredients like different kinds of meat, vegetables, and fruit. Raw food, on the other hand, typically includes raw meat, organ meats, whole or ground bone, fresh vegetables and fruits that are safe for dogs, raw eggs, and dairy products, like yogurt.
Both types of food can be homemade or purchased. With the rising popularity of dog food delivery services, there are now many brands on the market to choose from. They have different selling points, so you can choose one that best suits your needs. For example, if you are looking for customized pre-portioned fresh food for your dog, then you can try Nom Nom. As for raw meals, We Feed Raw is one of the leading options.
There are a number of veterinarians who say that not all dogs can have a raw food diet. Pups that live with people who have weak immune systems or young children should not be fed raw foods [1]. In addition, raw food needs to be handled, prepared, and cleaned meticulously, which may be hard to do if you feed your dog homemade food. Knowing how much raw food to feed a dog can also be tricky. Therefore, dogs with cancer, pancreatitis, or other diseases, and puppies are better off consuming cooked homemade dog food.
What Foods Are Safe To Give A Dog?
There are so many fresh food items available on the market that you might be confused which ones to give your dog. According to the AKC (American Kennel Club), these are some items that you can add to your dog’s diet:
- beef
- chicken
- lamb
- vegetables, such as brussel sprouts, carrots, celery, green beans, peas, and spinach
- fruits, such as apples (seeds and core removed), bananas (as a treat), blueberries, cantaloupe, cranberries, cucumbers, mango (pit removed), oranges (peel and seeds removed), peaches (cut around the pit), pears (pit and seeds removed), pineapple (peel and crown removed), pumpkin (but not pumpkin pie mix), strawberries, and watermelon (without the seeds and rind)
Unfortunately, not everything we eat is safe for dogs. Here are a few common household foods that you have to keep out of your dog’s reach:
- chocolate
- garlic
- asparagus
- mushrooms
- onions
- avocado
- cherries
- grapes
- tomatoes
Why Give Fresh Food To A Dog?
Health Benefits
A balanced fresh food diet can help improve your dog’s overall health and well-being because it is full of essential nutrients like healthy proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals. Also, it does not come with artificial ingredients and additives usually found in commercial kibble.
Fresh food increases your dog’s energy level, promotes heart health, improves eyesight, makes their breath smell better and coats shiny, and even impacts their stool. It also helps with allergy symptoms and improving your dog’s body weight.
Drawbacks Of Feeding A Dog Fresh Food
Making homemade dog food can require time and effort. If you purchase commercially prepared fresh dog food, they typically cost more than dog kibble. However, some dog owners may argue that the health and well-being of their pups are very important, so spending time, energy, and money on fresh dog food is not an issue.
FAQs
How much homemade food do you feed your dog?
According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, pet owners who would like to give their dogs homemade food should follow recipes that a veterinary nutritionist devises specifically for their pets. This is to ensure that the homemade dog food is part of a complete and balanced diet. Pet owners can follow the suggested portion sizes in the homemade dog food recipes.
Is there a chart for how much fresh food I should feed my dog?
Since every dog is different, there is no simple chart that you can follow for the amount of fresh food you should give your pup. It is best to consult a veterinary nutritionist because they know your dog’s nutritional requirements and can calculate how many calories your pup needs based on activity level, body weight, age, breed, and body composition. A vet also takes into account any allergies or other health issues that your pup has when they formulate recipes. If you choose to hire a fresh dog food delivery service, they most likely have recommended portion sizes.
How much fresh food should I feed my dog per day?
You should follow what your veterinary nutritionist recommends. If you notice your dog losing weight or putting on too much despite following the recommended portion sizes of their homemade diet, you should see your vet. They can re-evaluate the recipes they made for your dog. You can also give feedback about your pet’s body weight issues to the company that prepares your dog’s food.
How many times a day should a dog eat?
The nutritional needs of a dog vary depending on the stage of their life. Respected nutritionists now recommend considering the stage of your dog’s life when feeding them. If your pup is between 6 and 8 weeks old, you need to feed them about 4 to 6 meals per day. At 6 months old, they can be given meals twice or thrice a day, while adult dogs can do with one or two meals a day. As for senior dogs, it is crucial to keep a close watch on their health, so this may affect feeding times. Some older dogs prefer frequent, smaller meals, but others like keeping the same routine that they are used to.
