Which is the better option: homemade raw dog food or store-bought, pre-made raw dog food?
Making raw dog food at home is beneficial because you control their diet, which is important for dogs with food sensitivities or health issues. It's also cheaper than store-bought raw food.
However, creating homemade raw dog food requires some planning. It’s not enough to just give them chicken or ground beef. Muscle meat alone lacks essential nutrients for your dog’s health.
You should also include bones, organ meat, and some fruits and vegetables. Adding a fatty acid is necessary for overall health.
Basics Of Homemade Raw Dog Food
You’ll want to include the following:
50% muscle meat
10-22% organ meat
15% uncooked bone
10-20% vegetables
5% fruit
An essential fatty acid
Recreational bones
Using a specific recipe can help balance your dog’s nutrition, but it’s not needed for every meal. You can achieve a balanced diet by mixing up the meats and vegetables you use over time. This variety offers essential nutrients for your dog's health. Always choose high-quality, organic, and non-GMO ingredients when possible to boost health benefits for your pet. You can take some of the guest work in homemade dog diets by using premixes that includes the healthy ingredients for a homemade dog food. My premixes are great in homemade dog diets.
A homemade dog food recipe can be adjusted easily. If your dog has health issues, you can change the recipe to meet their needs. Adding special ingredients like dried seaweed, herbs, or bone broth can boost their health. For older dogs needing less protein, you can modify the recipe as well. You can make fresh meals when needed or prepare large batches to freeze for later. Either way, your dog will enjoy a healthy homemade meal.