Is DIY Homemade Dog Food Better

Why make DIY homemade dog food recipes at home for your dog?  Is DIY homemade dog food better than the kibble and canned foods we buy at the pet store?  Today we have many choices since there are many freshly made dog food brands we can buy, or you can find some healthy homemade dog food recipes.  

I am not a nutritionist, but I imagine that homemade food is always better.   Use the frozen dishes we buy at the food store as an example.  Which do you like best, the frozen entrees or the homemade version of that same dish?  I'd pick homemade every time if I could.

I wouldn't just start making my dog food at home.  First, I'd do a little research on it and talk to my veterinarian.  I might visit a canine nutritionist to learn what supplements my dog needs.  I'd review what other homemade dog food makers think about it.  I'd see if they thought it was a lot of trouble to go through to feed their dogs.  And that's precisely why you are here.  I have checked out a lot of this information already.  I've talked to a veterinarian and a canine nutritionist to know what dogs need in their food and diet.

Now, I have fed Pharaoh homemade dog food.  He had several health issues.  He could not digest the food he ate without the help of an enzyme.  I even went against the advice of my veterinarian back then.  After carefully and extensively researching the subject, I decided to determine what was best for my dog.   I wouldn't risk my dog's health on my pride.  I studied his problems and dietary needs for years.  For over ten years, in fact.  I digress, as I tend to do!  (Especially when it's about him.  I could go on all day long!)  These make-it-yourself dog food recipes use a healthy, balanced, and nutritious recipe and the right supplements to make it so. 


The Benefits of Making Food for Your Dog at Home

The benefits of making homemade dog food are:

  • You can control the quality of the ingredients you use
  • You can save money, maybe
  • Your dog won't be getting preservatives; (Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT): Ethoxyquin: Tertiary Butylhydroquinone (TBHQ):)  I can't say them, but I can tell you I don't think your dog should eat them.
  • Quality Food = A Healthier Dog

How To Ensure the DIY Homemade Dog Food Recipes You Make Are Healthy

How To Ensure the DIY Homemade Dog Food Recipes You Make Are Healthy

There are at least three ways to ensure the homemade dog food recipes you make for your dog are healthy.  

1. Sit down and talk to your veterinarian. They are the medical experts, ask their advice. And then consider it.

2. Have an online or in-person meeting with a canine nutritionist. 

3. Research, Research, Research. You can talk to experts, and you have the entire World Wide Web at your fingertips.

4. Get healthy, veterinarian-approved dog food recipes.

5. Learn what supplements you need to add to your dog's food every day. I know of one right off the top of my head, and that's calcium. I am sure there are more, and these additions to your dog's daily food intake are significant.

Calcium for homemade dog food - must read!

Introduce Your Dog's Homemade Food Recipes Slowly

Here's Lots of Healthy DIY Homemade Dog Food Recipes -

Introduce Your Dog's Homemade Food Recipes Slowly

When you change your dog's diet, you want to look for allergic reactions. Always introduce new foods to your dog slowly. Do it one ingredient at a time. For example, if you make homemade dog food with chicken, don't give your dog beef in the same meal. If these are new foods and recipes, your dog might have an allergy and react to the newly introduced food. We do this with kids when they are young too. It's just to be safe, so if there is an allergic reaction, we can tell what food is causing it.

If your dog gets itchy and starts scratching, that is most likely an allergic reaction. If your dog develops diarrhea, it just might be an allergic reaction—watch and be aware. When you sit down with the veterinarian or nutritionist, ask them about it. Just go slow.

Homemade Dog Food Feeding Chart

Homemade Dog Food Nutrition Calculator

Homemade Dog Food Supplement Powder 

Here are Lots of Healthy DIY Homemade Dog Food Recipes -

  • Homemade Dog Food Beef Recipes
  • Homemade Dog Food Chicken Recipes
  • Homemade Salmon Dog Food Recipes
  • Homemade Turkey Dog Food Recipes
  • Making Dog Food With Venison

Does your dog have any health issues? Are you tired of having to hope your dog feels better day after day? These homemade healthy dog food recipes might be a remedy for those problems. These are recipes you can make at home for your pet with their health issues in mind. You can find these health-conscious DIY homemade dog food recipe ideas:

  • Arthritis - Homemade Dog Food for Arthritis
  • Diabetes - Diabetic Dog Diet Homemade
  • Homemade Grain Free - Homemade Grain Free Puppy Food
  • Kidney/Renal Failure - Homemade Dog Food Renal Diet
  • Low-fat Dog Recipes - Homemade Low-fat Dog Food 
  • How to Make Puppy Mush - Porridge - Homemade Puppy Milk Replacer

Bloat  -  Diarreah  -  Seizures  -  Pancreatitis  -  EPI

Is homemade dog food better than the bagged kibble and the canned stuff? I would certainly believe the answer is a big YES for these issues!


What Supplies Will You Need When Making DIY Homemade Dog Food from Scratch?

If you cook at all for yourself, I am sure you probably have most, if not all, of what you will need.  Here are some accessories you can use to make your DIY homemade dog food recipes and treats for your pup.

  • I know a scale comes in handy. 
  • A food processor or a blender could be helpful. I have a blender.
  • Depending on how big you plan on going, a meat grinder would be very helpful if you will buy big, hopefully economic, cuts of meat and grind them yourself. It's certainly not necessary in the very beginning when you are learning. 
  • A pressure cooker, an instant pot, or a slow cooker is a handy dandy help in any kitchen when creating any recipe. 
  • Freezer containers to store food are excellent. I think the stackable ones are the best.  
  • On the same note as that would be a vacuum sealer. It seals food in an air-tight bag and extends your foods storage life. 
  • Again, these items are handy, not necessary. You will figure out what you need as you go along. Get the homemade dog food recipes and the ingredients you want to begin with, and you will be ready to start making food for your dog.  

    Always remember to keep your food prep clean, just like you do when you are cooking for your family.  Keep foods that need to be refrigerated, in the refrigerator.  Sometimes people get casual about dog food preparation, but don't you. Take the same cautions and cares you would if you were preparing dinner for yourself. 

    The same goes for the store bought or homemade dog food supplement powder you use in your dog's diet.  These supplements are important.  One of the additions that pops right into my head is calcium, it's very important for your dog to get enough.  Check with an online dog food nutritional calculator to learn how much of what you should add, and always add it to your DIY homemade dog food recipes.