Raw feeding seems to be getting lots of attention nowadays as pet owners look for products that guarantee their dog’s health. Raw fed dogs seem to enjoy a more balanced diet compared to kibble-fed ones.
If you’re thinking about trying raw dog food recipes, a quick meal can be prepared just by mixing equal amounts of beef liver and chicken necks to your dog and serve. Adding grains like brown rice and some fruits and vegetables will make the meal more nutrient-dense.
Speaking of nutrients, since every dog has different dietary needs depending on breed, size, age, and health conditions, you will have to first know the specific requirements for your pooch before trying out any homemade dog food recipes. A visit to the vet would greatly help to figure this out.
Is Raw Food Diet Good for my Dogs?
A raw dog food diet is usually seen as the reason for a dog’s healthy life while on this meal plan. Accordingly, feeding raw food diet comes with benefits like a shinier coat, a more energetic dog, weight maintenance, and assists the dog’s digest system for easier poops—similar benefits when you give your pooch fresh dog food.
With all ingredients being equal, a raw meal is definitely better for an active dog. The pet food allows for better absorption, keeps the food whole, and minimizes consumption of fillers or preservatives. Since you have more control over the ingredients, you can also address food sensitivities and make adjustments according to life stage, weight, and other unique concerns. These are also the sort of things dog food delivery service platforms take care of when they customize meals, including raw options like We Feed Raw, for pets.
Homemade Dog Food Recipes
There are currently several easy raw dog food recipes online that you can try out. Remember that these are just starting points and you should customize according to the advise of veterinary experts:
Beef and Chicken Neck
This recipe is primarily for maintenance. Just mix equal amounts of beef liver and chicken necks to your dog and serve. The neck is not bone so it’s perfectly okay for your dog to chew on it. Feeding puppies especially will love it as it gives their teeth a good workout. If you want, you can add some brown rice for grains and a bit of fish oil for skin and coat.
Sardines and Beef
If you want a more elaborate dog food recipe, trying combining lean muscle meat with around half a can of sardines. Make sure they’re sardines in water and not the ones in oil. Combine this with half a tablespoon of kelp powder and ground ginger. For added protein to your dog’s diet, add one raw egg. Vegetables would be 1 oz spinach and broccoli. Mix thoroughly together and you’ve got a balanced meal!
Fish and Meat
If you have the budget for it, try combining around 150 grams of wild salmon to 100 grams of beef muscle. Put in 50 grams each of appeals, beef lung, leaf lettuce, and parsnip. Add canola oil and mix thoroughly. You can also try putting it in a processor for uniform consistency.
Rabbit, Beef, and Chicken Recipe
Rabbit is another good source of protein that could be less expensive in your local grocery store. To make this, put together 1 pound of chicken heart and 3 pounds of rabbit meat into a bowl. Put them together in a food processor and start grinding. Now make a puree using 4 eggs and 6 ounces of blueberries. Put in some mussel powder and chopped spinach and puree those too. Now mix these two food batches thoroughly and serve.
Pork and Fish
Pork is wonderfully digestible as a protein source while the fish helps introduce essential fatty acids to your dogs diet. Just combine these two ingredients in a processor and grind them into smaller chunks. The pork should be around 5 pounds while the fish is around 1 pound. Put in some 8 ounces of kale, broccoli, blueberries, kelp powder, wheat germ oil, and bone meal. Puree the non-meat ingredients except the blueberries. Combine them altogether and you’ve got your own raw dog food.
Chicken Livers
Sometimes, you don’t have to go far. Plain liver from chickens would already be a feast for dogs after properly cleaned. Add in some other lean meat and vegetables if you want to make it more balanced as a homemade diet. You can replace the liver with any other organ meat and then throw in some meaty bones for teeth health. Some dog owners like to add supplements, fish oil, cod liver oil, or olive oil to support skin health.
Note that a raw dog food recipe has a shorter shelf life than store bought food. You’ll have to make sure any remaining meals are immediately stored in the freezer and then thawed before serving. If you’re having a hard time with these recipes or notice any problems with your dog after switching to raw diet, consult a veterinarian immediately. Some dogs need a longer adjustment period or maybe the food simply doesn’t agree with the dog’s digestive system. If this is the case, you can always try commercial raw meals available as a subscription service. These meals are prepared under veterinary guidance and should be nutritionally complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to make your own dog food?
Making your own dog food is quick and simple, especially if you’re used to cooking your own food. The preparation process involves basic cooking skills so there’s really no need to buy anything special. When cooking however, it’s best to follow homemade dog food recipes suggested by experts as opposed to formulating your own recipe.
What can I feed my dog instead of dog food?
If you’re not a fan of commercial dog food, then making homemade dog food is the best approach. Homemade raw dog food seems to be the favorite but you can also try gently cooking or baking the meals. By following available recipes, you can meal prep for your dog and give him a more rounded diet.
Can I feed my dog raw meat from the grocery store?
A raw food diets are made up mainly of meat that goes through zero processing before being fed. Dogs can eat raw meat but only provided that it is free from harmful pathogens. Note that lean ground beef directly from the grocery store can contain pathogens that you don’t want for your dog. If you are unsure, the meal should still be lightly cooked just to remove any lingering bacteria. The light cooking helps keep the fresh flavors intact while preventing parasites or infection.
Can I give a vegetarian diet to my dog?
Puppies, seniors, and adult dogs need to eat meat in order to grow and stay healthy. While protein is something you can provide through other food products, the fact is that quality meat is the best source of protein. Don’t try to limit your pooch to vegetarian meals and always refer to AAFCO guidelines [1] for homemade raw dog food.
How much food should I give?
Your dog’s meals should be limited to around 1 to 2 percent of their body weight per day. Calorie requirements may be harder to pin down as your dog’s activity levels vary. There’s also a raw dog food calculator which should help you better determine the perfect amount for canine nutrition.
