How to Make Vet Recommended Dog Food

Homemade Recipe for a Twenty Pound Dog

Options for feeding dogs exist beyond the food that companies manufacture. It is possible for owners to make nutritionally-sound food that dogs will enjoy.



"If you know how to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet, you can apply that same principle to feeding your dog," said Paula Terifaj, a veterinarian from Founder's Veterinary Clinic in California. "Only the ratio of meat to carbohydrates and size proportions will change."

Things You'll Need

• ¼ pound skinless chicken
• 1 cup brown rice
• 1 cup peas and carrots
• ¼ teaspoon salt substitute
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 250 mg calcium citrate
• Multivitamin/mineral

Instructions

Basics

1. 

   Cook homemade food for your dog.

   Include a protein, carbohydrate and vegetable source. Cook and combine ingredients. Add bone meal powder or calcium citrate, and a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement.

2. Change the protein source to create variety. Choose fish, turkey, beef or lamb. You may also substitute with nonmeat protein such as three cooked eggs or 1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese.

3. Vary carbohydrates with 1-2 cups potatoes, yams, sweet potatoes or pasta. Alter vegetables with green beans, squash, broccoli or cauliflower. You should use fresh or frozen varieties instead of canned to control salt intake.

4. Cut the recipe in half for your 10-pound dog, and double it for a 40-pound dog. If your dog is overweight, cut back slightly on the portions. Add food if your dog is underweight.

Tips & Warnings

• Donate unopened cans of dog food and bags of kibble.

• Use human grade whole foods.

• Make meals in advance and freeze.

• Discuss your homemade food plan with your veterinarian before you make the change.

References

• Home Cooking: The Alternative to Pet Foods