If we think of dog food it is easy for feed and different varieties of canned wet food to come to mind. Our current fast pace of life means that we seek to feed our dogs in a way that is as fast and convenient as opening a package or a can and putting the food ready in the feeder. But, is industrialized food the best option?
In this article on our site we are going to talk about the benefits of homemade dog food, the foods they can eat and of the different forms that exist of presentation. So we can choose, with all the information, how to feed our partner.
Dog Feeding Basics
Dogs have fewer taste buds than humans but are thought to be able to distinguish between flavors such as sweet, the sour, the bitter and the s alty. In addition, they are capable of establishing preferences or animosities marked by certain foods, which we must take into account when preparing their menu. This must be balanced and for this it will have to include the ten amino acidsthat are considered essential for the dog because he is not capable of synthesizing them. Thus, it will be essential that you eat them in your daily diet. In this sense, a good combination will be the one that mixes proteins of vegetable origin with others of animal origin, because this is what will guarantee the presence of all the amino acids. This point is basic, because if the dog has deficiencies in these essential amino acids, it can show alterations in development, anemia or problems in the immune system.
On the other hand, a balanced diet should include adequate amounts of calcium, phosphorus, iron and vitamins to ensure optimal he alth. Likewise, it is important to bear in mind that each individual is different and, therefore, it is advisable to adapt the diet to each case. For example, growing animals, or pregnant or lactating females, have higher protein requirements. Dogs with diseases will also need an adjustment of their ration.
As for the foods themselves that should make up their diet, we must emphasize that, despite being a facultative omnivorous animal Due to the evolution of the species after domestication, meat and fish continue to be its mainstay. In this way, experts recommend that 70-80% of the diet be allocated to these products, and the remaining 30-20% be divided between fruits, vegetables, and cereals, since they are also foods that the dog's body you need to stay he althy.
Benefits of natural dog food
After reviewing the general considerations to take into account when establishing the diet, we see how among the benefits of homemade food for dogs is the possibility of choosing the foods with which we will compose the menu. However, it is not the only advantage and we present the rest below:
- When selecting the ingredients ourselves, we make sure to use quality foods and to establish the percentages of each product totally adapted to our dog.
- As we said, through a homemade diet for dogs we can guarantee that all the essential amino acids are presentthat their digestive system is not capable of to synthesize.
- We offer the animal a diet with unprocessed or very little processed ingredients, which translates into an improvement in its general state of he alth by ingesting totally natural products. This is so because as the foods are less treated, the nutrients are much better maintained, they are easier to assimilate and they hardly contain artificial chemicals, being in some cases these last nonexistent.
- By including fresh and natural meat, fish, fruit or vegetables, the dish is much more appetizing for the dog.
- It is much more digestible due to all of the above, since the use of products adapted to the needs of the dog, fresh, from quality and natural makes your body assimilate them without problems.
- It allows us to establish a variable and complete menu, so that the animal does not get bored of always eating the same thing or present nutritional deficiencies.
Apart from the high nutritional value that homemade dog food offers, the fact of seeing our best friend enjoy eating preparations that he loves is one of the greatest benefits for both: dog and human.
How to find a balance in homemade dog food?
In order to take advantage of all the benefits of homemade dog food, we must bear in mind that not everyone has the same nutritional needs, as we have already mentioned. Thus, we will distinguish infants, puppies, adults, pregnant women, lactating females, geriatrics and patients. The size of the dog is another factor to consider, as larger breed puppies will be he althier with slow growth. In any case, it is advisable to consult with our veterinarian before making any changes to his diet.
Below we will see the general considerations that we must bear in mind depending on the age or the state in which our dog is:
- A motherat the time of delivery should consume 1.5 times her usual ration.
- Growing animals require more protein and calories than adults. Although it may be that if we keep the protein high in the diet of the adult dog, it will not have problems, if the caloric intake does not decrease, we will end up having an obese adult.
- puppies up to 6 months require twice as many calories per kg of body weight as adults.
- In old age fewer calories are needed, about 30% less than in youth. In addition, at this time it can be beneficial to include vitamins such as E, C and selenium in the dog's natural diet, due to their antioxidant effect.
On the other hand, for the diet also we will take into account the level of activity displayed by the dog in his daily life. For example, a dog that does a lot of exercise can consume a greater amount of fat, while a dog with a more sedentary lifestyle should control its intake very well.
And finally, treats should never exceed 5-10% of recommended daily calories. Let's remember that positive reinforcement can also be carried out with caresses, words of encouragement or games.
For he althy adult dogs, the key to finding balance in homemade food lies in knowing the animal In this way, we recommend trying and experiment to find the right amounts for our dog, detect which foods he likes best and how to combine them.
Nutritional needs of dogs
In order for our dog to benefit from homemade and natural food, we must take into account the approximate percentage of nutrients that it needs, for an adult dog with normal activity would be[1]:
- 26% protein
- 36% Carbs
- 38% Fat
Of course, these percentages are totally indicative, since we will have to adapt them to the dog's lifestyle, size, age or condition of it. As we said, a dog that does little exercise should consume less fat, while one that practices sports can increase this amount. Again, getting to know our dog is the most important thing to offer him the best food.
As for the number of daily servings or rations, it will also depend on each dog, since some tend to eat once a day while others prefer to do it in two or three times. Now, if we have just adopted a puppy, it is advisable to divide the food into several meals spread throughout the day. Of course, in all cases it is essential to leave fresh and clean water always available.
Good Dog Foods
A balanced diet based on good quality proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins and minerals will provide all the benefits of home cooking for dogs. We can choose between the following ingredients, as an example, since there are many alternatives:
- Among the proteins we can find the of animal origin, such as beef, chicken, lamb or fish, which should be the base of the dish, and vegetables such as corn, soy or wheat.
- The carbohydrate group also includes corn and wheat, rice, oats, etc. Here the fibra is introduced, which is not digested but facilitates intestinal transit. Stand out beets, chicory, yams or bran.
- The lipids or fats, like proteins, can also be animal or vegetable, such as those obtained from seeds.
- Vitamins and minerals will be present, in different percentages, in all foods. We just have to check how much, in case we have to supplement or increase their dose, and make sure they don't inhibit each other. Notable sources are liver, dairy or yeast.
- Foods such as legumes, eggs, fruits or vegetables can be given in a complementary way.
It is important that we consult our veterinarian when developing our dog's homemade diet to ensure that all his needs are well covered. On the other hand, this article shares a complete list of fruits and vegetables and their benefits: "Recommended fruits and vegetables for dogs".
How to do food for dogs?
The benefits of homemade dog food are optimized by taking into account cooking methods Meat, fish and poultry are recommend always giving cooked to avoid transmission of parasites. They can also be cooked grilled Of course, we must remove all those bones capable of producing obstructions. Although there are types of homemade diets for dogs that offer raw food, such as the BARF diet, we cannot always guarantee that the products are in optimal conditions and, therefore, we recommend cooking or freezing the food beforehand.
Foods with lactose, such as milk or cheese, can cause diarrhoea, so we must control their consumption or, in clear cases of lactose intolerance, remove them from the diet. Thus, we will have to plan our dog's diet to ensure that it is balanced. We can prepare it, freeze it and take it out as we need it, which will make daily logistics easier for us. We should never add or s alt or sugar or foods such as chocolate or exciting foods such as coffee.
To enhance the flavor of the dishes we have the option of incorporating spices beneficial for dogs such as turmeric, oregano, rosemary or thyme. Olive oil is also indicated due to its skin-protective, antioxidant and digestive properties, so we can serve homemade dog food with a splash on top.
Dehydrated dog food, a quick, he althy and delicious option
If we don't have enough time to cook but we are clear that we want to improve our dog's diet, there are brands on the market that manufacture dehydrated food for dogs, totally natural and highly beneficial. This is the case of Naku , a company dedicated to the production of dehydrated food for dogs and cats of different ages and even with particular conditions, such as obesity or allergies. To prepare this type of diet, the relevant studies have been carried out and, therefore, an adequate nutritional balance is already guaranteed. In this way, in addition to offering comfort, it provides the right contribution that each animal needs. Thus, it is as simple as buying the food, placing the recommended amount in the bowl, pouring hot water to hydrate it and serving. Although all dogs can benefit, dry food is especially recommended for puppies and the elderly.
Among the natural ingredients that Naku uses to make its products, we can find chicken, lamb or pork Iberian, fish such as salmon and other good foods such as potatoes, yogurt, rice, apple or pumpkin. Likewise, it has grain-free products, made especially for sporting dogs or puppies. Another noteworthy fact is that all its products are prepared in human food plants, so that they are fit for human consumption, a fact that provides confidence and quality assurance.
Homemade Dog Food Recipes
How to make natural dog food is very simple now that you know what to take into account, the foods that should be included and excluded. In this way, you can prepare dishes such as: rice with chicken, meat and vegetable stew, grilled fish, etc., always bearing in mind the percentages mentioned above.
On the other hand, when choosing the pieces of meat, it should be noted that we can not only opt for the most common, such as chicken breast or veal loin,viscera are also very beneficial for dogs because they offer a higher percentage of protein and a lower calorie intake. Thus, organs such as the heart, lungs or kidneys offer many possibilities and can be used to prepare any homemade dog food recipe. If you still don't know where to start, on our site you will find varied and simple recipes like these:
- Homemade Puppy Food Recipes
- How to prepare chicken liver for dogs?
- Dog Cupcake Recipes
- Recipes for overweight dogs
And remember that lack of time should not be an excuse, we can take advantage of the benefits of natural food for dogs through the homemade food that Naku offers in dehydrated format.
