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Homemade Dog Food: (Part 2)
What ingredients
and their
amounts do I
include in my
dog’s homemade
food? We have
already
determined there
are three
essential parts
to a wholesome
homemade dog
food diet:
Protein,
Essential Fatty
Acids, and
Calcium. Several
books
are helpful in
learning about a
homemade dog
food diet.
-
Protein
Requirements
-
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
such as
heart,
liver, and
kidney, as
well as
fish, eggs,
and
cheese. The
typical meat
ratio that
we use is
around 35 -
50%.
Protein
requirements for
dogs are an
important and
often
misunderstood
aspect of pet
nutrition. All
of us want to
feed a high
quality diet to
his or her
dogs. No two
dog owners seem
to agree as to
which dog food
is “the best”.
A large part of
the disagreement
regarding “the
best” food to
feed centers
around the
misunderstanding
regarding the
substance we
call
Protein. Let’s
get the facts
straight about
the importance
of protein in
the dog’s diet.
Then we can
better judge
which food would
be “the best”
for own dogs.
Many people
continue to feed
their dogs
commercial dog
food. Some do
not have the
desire nor time
to take on the
task of making
your own
homemade dog
food. There are
a lot of good
quality
commercial dog
foods that can
be purchased
locally or
shipped to your
door. Just be
sure you use the
food that best
fits your dog's
nutritional
needs. See this
list for good
quality
commercial dog
foods:
Dog Food List
Dogs can
survive on a
diet of either
plant or animal
origin if it is
balanced and
diverse. But
to thrive and
not merely
survive, dogs
should have a
source of animal
protein - MEAT -
in their diets.
There is a huge
difference
between
survive and
thrive! For
that reason dogs
thrive on diets
based on meat.
I have heard
many vets
report, “Many
dogs are not
thriving because
Nature's rules
are not being
followed. Overweight
dogs, dogs with
itchy, flaky
skin, dogs with
coarse and
brittle coats,
dogs with poor
energy levels,
and resistance
to infection. .
. 95% of the
time these dogs
will be
consuming diets
low in animal
origin tissues
and high in
grain-based
products.
Inexpensive,
corn-based diets
are some of the
worst.”
(The Internet
Animal Hospital)
Several years
ago, I got
really
interested in a
raw meat diet. I
was on my own.
Linda would not
help because it
was so messy!
She was afraid
of bacteria! The
dogs loved it,
but I soon gave
it up because it
was so time
consuming and I
basically had to
bathe the dogs
after each meal.
Boy were they a
mess! I have
since learned
that an all-meat
diet can
actually be
harmful because
it is not
balanced. In the
wild, carnivores
(wild dogs,
wolves) eat
animals, but
also get their
fatty acids,
calcium, and
grains from the
stomachs and
bones of their
prey. My plan
was an all-meat
diet, so I was
on the wrong
track. My
intention was
noble, but I was
misinformed.
-
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
fats in
meat, egg
yolks,
vegetables,
vegetable
oils, wheat,
brown rice,
oatmeal,
corn,
barley,
potatoes,
corn, honey,
and
fruits. Since
many dogs
are allergic
to certain
products
such as
wheat and
corn, you
will leave
those out of
your recipe.
The essential
fatty acids
ratio we use is
about 30 - 35%
veggies and 15 –
20%
carbohydrates.
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.
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 since
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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