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Homemade Dog Food: Why? (Part 1) 

Being retired breeders, we have used a few different commercial dog foods over the years. The best we have found is Flint River Ranch Dog Food. This food is not sold in stores and is not filled with all the preservatives and chemicals that the store brands have. Store brand dog foods have a shelf life of 12-14 months, thus filled with preservatives and chemicals. Incidents of the past few years have caused us to be seriously concerned about the safety of the commercial pet food that we were using. With the pet food scares and recalls that have been all over the news recently, more and more, we began our research and found Flint River Ranch. Many dog owners expressed interest in how to prepare nutritious homemade dog food. The pages to follow is the result of our research.

NOTE: If you feed a homemade dog food, to be sure your dog gets all the needed minerals, etc., you might want to consider feeding half Flint River Ranch and then the other half with your homemade recipe. That way, you can be sure they are getting necessary vitamins, supplements, etc. Remember, variety is the key!

Feeding homemade dog food, you must always be concerned that you provide them with a balanced diet. We discovered quickly that a balanced diet for us is not the same as the one required by our dogs.

Their nutritional requirements are slightly different and these differences need to be taken into consideration for them to have a healthy balanced diet. In my research, I discovered the 3 major ingredients that are absolutely necessary: 

 (1) Protein 
Dogs require a significant quantity of protein in their diet. This will be the meat source or some additional vegetable protein source. This is the most important ingredient in a dog's diet. Examples of good protein sources would be chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, organ meats, as well as fish, eggs, and cheese. 

(2) Essential fatty Acids 
The next most important requirement is fatty acids. Linoleic Acid (Omega 6) is the most important since it is the only one that dogs can't make themselves. Examples of good Omega 6 sources would be vegetables, vegetable oils, grains, and fruits. 

(3) Calcium 
Calcium is also an important requirement for dogs. They actually need significantly more than we do. Bones are not a good source of calcium because of the risk of choking. Good sources of calcium are cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese, canned salmon with bones, and many vegetables have calcium, but in a lower dose.

Foods to Avoid
Some foods which are edible for humans, and even other species of animals, can pose hazards for dogs because of their different metabolism. Some may cause only mild digestive upsets, whereas, others can cause severe illness, and even death. The following common food items should not be fed to dogs. This list is, of course, incomplete because we cannot possibly list everything your dog should not eat.
According to ASPCA, these foods are to be avoided when making meals for your dog. 

 

Items to Avoid

Reasons to Avoid

 Alcoholic beverages

Can cause intoxication, coma, and death. 

 Baby food

 Can contain onion powder, which can be toxic to dogs. (Please see onion below.) Can also result in nutritional deficiencies, if fed in large amounts.
Bones from fish, poultry, or other meat sources

Can cause obstruction or laceration of the digestive system.
Cat food Generally too high in protein and fats.
Chocolate, coffee, tea, and other caffeine

Contain caffeine, theobromine, or theophylline, which can be toxic and affect the heart and nervous systems.
Grapes and raisins Contain an unknown toxin, which can damage the kidneys and liver. There have been no problems associated with grape seed extract
Human vitamin supplements containing iron Can damage the lining of the digestive system and be toxic to the other organs including the liver and kidneys.
Large amounts of liver Can cause Vitamin A toxicity, which affects muscles and bones
Macadamia nuts Contain an unknown toxin, which can affect the digestive and nervous systems and muscle.
Milk and other dairy products

Some adult dogs and cats do not have sufficient amounts of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down the lactose in milk. This can result in diarrhea. Lactose-free milk products are available for pets.
Moldy or spoiled food, garbage

Can contain multiple toxins causing vomiting and diarrhea and can also affect other organs.
Mushrooms Can contain toxins, which may affect multiple systems in the body, cause shock, and result in death.
Onions and garlic (raw, cooked, or powder) Contain sulfoxides and disulfides, which can damage red blood cells and cause anemia. Cats are more susceptible than dogs. Garlic is less toxic than onions.
Raw fish Can result in a thiamine (a B vitamin) deficiency leading to loss of appetite, seizures, and in severe cases, death. More common if raw fish is fed regularly.
Salt

If eaten in large quantities it may lead to electrolyte imbalances.
Sugary foods Can lead to obesity, dental problems, and possibly diabetes mellitus.
Chocolate and cocoa products chocolate contains theobromine which can be poisonous to dogs when eaten in large quantities 
Avocados the plant and the fruit are toxic to dogs 
Yeast dough  Can expand and produce gas in the digestive system, causing pain and possible rupture of the stomach or intestines.
Cooked poultry bones these bones can splinter and kill your dog. 
Raw meat Many people advocate giving raw meat to their dogs. However, there is a chance that your dog (and you) will get sick from food-born parasites. Remember, if you do feed your dog raw meat, to practice safe food handling procedures. Also practice safe handling of your dog's waste as, although salmonella rarely affects dogs, they can pass it in their feces. 


ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435

NOTE: If you are thinking of changing your dog's diet to a homemade one, you should consult with your veterinarian before a major change. He/she is your best source of information on pet nutrition and can advise you on creating a balanced home diet. Dietary changes should be made gradually as rapid changes in diet can cause stomach upset. Just remember that to stay fit, healthy, and active your dog needs a nutritious and well balanced diet.

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