Do vets recommend homemade dog food?

Dinner time is approaching, and you don your apron as you get ready to start cooking. You are trying to get to the fridge to take out everything you need to prepare that succulent roast chicken, but Toodles, your little pup, is in your way and yapping around your feet. Clearly, he is also ready to eat. You grab the bag of dog food, and as you pour the kibble into his bowl, you may wonder if this is good enough for him, or do vets recommend you make homemade dog food?

The answer to this question is not a simple yes or no. It depends on many variable factors.

One thing, though, is obvious. Vets do not recommend feeding your dog raw food such as meat, chicken, or fish. Fresh raw foods like these may contain pathogens such as salmonella, listeria, and e-Coli. These can be very dangerous and may even kill your beloved Toodles.

Is homemade dog food better than store-bought food? 

Commercially-produced pet food is strictly controlled by law, and legislation dictates certain minimum requirements in terms of ingredients. So if you buy commercial food in the supermarket, especially if you buy a high-end premium brand, you can rest assured that it is safe for your dog to eat.

However, even though the food is safe, it does not necessarily mean that it is the best diet for Toodles. Many commercial foods are packed with grains, corn, and soy that have little to no nutritional value, but they are a cheap way for the manufacturers to add to the food’s weight while keeping the cost down. While this will not kill Toodles, it could make him fat and lethargic.

If you make homemade dog food with wholesome, nutritious ingredients, it’s likely a healthier option for your little furry friend.

But do vets recommend you make homemade dog food? Not always. It would be irresponsible for any vet to issue a blanket statement saying that they recommend homemade food for your dog because there are too many variables out of their control.

In addition to the traditional dry kibble and canned wet dog foods on the market, certain companies produce dog food cooked from fresh ingredients and packaged in ready-to-use packs. Some of these brands are available in supermarkets, while others offer delivery to your door. It is easy to see why this would be a convenient option for some people.

What type of homemade food is good for dogs?

Homemade food cooked in a clean environment, using high-quality ingredients that are fresh and have not passed their sell-by dates, is excellent for your dog. If you have the time and patience to devote to preparing healthy meals at home for Toodles, he will thrive and will certainly benefit from this kind of diet.

What nutrients should go into homemade dog food?

When vets recommend you make homemade dog food, they specify that it should contain all of the elements necessary to fulfill all of your dog’s nutritional requirements. Dogs need a balanced diet consisting of protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals.

Do not forget that your dog needs lots of water. Dogs can dehydrate very quickly, and this can have dire consequences. Toodles must always have a bowl of fresh, clean, cool water available.

What is the best source of protein to use in homemade dog food?

Beef, lamb, chicken, and turkey are all excellent protein-rich foods to give your dog. They must be cooked thoroughly to kill any harmful microorganisms that may be present. While you certainly don’t have to cook fillet steak for Toodles, you should none-the-less avoid giving him very fatty and grisly pieces of meat.

Eggs are also rich in protein. They should not be given raw, but Toodles will probably love a fluffy scrambled egg with a dollop of cream cheese now and again.

How should you make homemade dog food?

The meat or poultry can be boiled in water or stewed in the oven. You can add natural, healthy ingredients like tomatoes and fresh herbs, to flavor the food and make it more appetizing. Avoid adding salt.

It’s good to incorporate veggies and carbohydrates like rice, potatoes, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes to make the food more filling and nutritious.

Not only do vets recommend you make homemade dog food following these guidelines, but Toodles will love it and come begging for more.

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