DIY Meals for Your Dog

Posted by Erin Ballinger

Feeding your dog a healthier diet has become easier than ever. With pre-packaged options shipped to your door by companies like The Farmers Dog and Pet Plate, your pet now has access to a wider variety of healthy food options than ever before. While these brands offer healthy options and loads of convenience, they are also quite expensive and may not fit everyone's budget. Another alternative is to start making Fido’s meals at home. If you want to DIY your dog’s diet, here are a few essentials to keep in mind.

The Basics of a Balanced Diet for Dogs

“Gotta get my grr-eens.” Photo by iStock/rmarnold

Understanding what goes in a balanced diet for your dog is important. When meal planning, keep in mind that a standard serving should contain equal parts protein, veggies, and grains. But it’s a little more complicated than just that. Here are the main ingredients you should include in your homemade dog food:

Protein

Canines are carnivores who need protein for energy. Healthy sources of protein include:

  • Chicken
  • Turkey
  • Beef
  • Lamb
  • Pork (in limited amounts)
  • Fish, including salmon, flounder, herring, Arctic char, and whitefish

Carbohydrates

Pups get additional energy from carbohydrates like sugars, starches, and dietary fibers. Dog-friendly sources of carbs include:

  • Rice
  • Pasta
  • Oatmeal
  • Quinoa

Fat

Fats and fatty acids in a dog’s diet should come from animal fats and plant seed oils to support cell function and keep Fido’s skin and fur healthy. Sources of fats include:

  • Animal fats
  • Plant-based oils (corn, canola, flaxseed oil, olive, and soybean)
  • Fish oil

Fiber

Dogs need fiber in their diet to keep their gastrointestinal system healthy and to keep them at a healthy body weight. Fiber sources for dogs include:

  • Apples
  • Brown rice
  • Carrots
  • Dark, leafy greens
  • Flaxseed
  • Pumpkin

Minerals

Dogs need these 12 minerals for a balanced diet:

  • Calcium and phosphorus for strong bones and teeth. Sources of calcium include green beans, broccoli, and cauliflower. Meat and eggs have phosphorus.
  • Magnesium, potassium, sodium, and chloride in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains for nerve and muscle health.
  • Sulfur facilitates healthy skin, coat, and nails, and can be found in eggs, meat, fish, and molasses.
  • Iron in red meat and poultry supports red blood cells and the immune system.
  • Iodine for a functioning thyroid is in dairy, kelp, and seafood.
  • Zinc is great for the immune system, healthy skin, and coat. Eggs, lamb, liver, and brewer’s yeast are some dog-friendly sources.
  • Selenium boosts your pooch’s immune system. Sources include meat, vegetables, seafood, and brown rice.
  • Copper is essential for healthy bone growth, and is found in whole grains, seeds, and seafood.

Vitamins

Essential vitamins that dogs need in their diet include:

  • Vitamin A (carrots, pumpkin)
  • B vitamins (liver, green vegetables, whole grains)
  • Vitamin C (fruits and vegetables, organ meat)
  • Vitamin D (liver, fish, beef)
  • Vitamin E (leafy green vegetables, liver, bran, plant oils)
  • Vitamin K (fish, leafy green vegetables)
  • Choline (liver, fish, meats, egg yolks)

And last but not least, staying hydrated is an important part of your pup’s overall health and wellness. Always keep her bowl full of clean, fresh water.

Wondering how much homemade dog food Fido should eat in a serving? The best practice is to serve your pooch 2-3 percent of his body weight, which equates to about one cup of prepared food for every 20 pounds your dog weighs. However, your best resource and first stop is your dog’s veterinarian, who knows your pup and has a thorough understanding of his health history and current condition. The American College of Veterinary Nutrition also recommends getting a customized recipe and consultation with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist.

DIY Chicken Rice Bowl Dog Food Recipe

Looks good, tastes better, feels great! Photo by BringFido/Erin

Here’s a simple recipe packed with all the goodies of a balanced doggy diet to get you started on your homemade dog food journey!

Ingredients

  • 2 eggs
  • 2 cups cold, pre-cooked brown rice
  • 1 boneless chicken breast (cubed)
  • ½ cup peas
  • ½ cup shredded carrots
  • ½ cup chopped spinach
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

Directions

  1. Spray pan with nonstick cooking spray and scramble eggs over medium heat. Remove eggs and set aside.
  2. Add olive oil to the pan over medium-high heat. Add diced chicken and cook through.
  3. Add vegetables and saute with chicken.
  4. Stir in cold, pre-cooked brown rice to chicken and veggies mixture. (Cold, pre-cooked rice works best, but fresh rice is okay as well.) Turn up the heat and stir until warmed through.
  5. Combine rice with the scrambled eggs or serve with eggs on top. Refrigerate or freeze leftovers for future meals!

Do you have a homemade dog food recipe? Leave a comment or tweet us @BringFido!

Banner photo by iStock/pyotr021.