The ultimate DIY dog care boils down to making your own dog food. While it takes a little extra planning, the benefits are worth it. Plus, it’s not complicated. Whether you’re ready to make the switch from store-bought to homemade dog food or you’re just curious to try out a homemade recipe, Rover.com has some tips.
First, here are 5 reasons to try it:
- It’s cost-effective. The ingredients you’ll need to make dog food are people friendly, and you probably have many of them in your fridge already. A dog’s diet should be a balance of protein, dairy, fruits and vegetables, and some grains (your dog may have a sensitivity to one of these ingredients, so feel free to cater to his specific diet needs). While meat is a key part of their diet, you don’t need to buy the most expensive cuts to satisfy your pup.
- You can identify every ingredient. When you’re the chef, you have control over what goes into the meal. There are numerous unnecessary ingredients in many store-bought dog foods. Making your own food will give you the power to choose what you want your dog to eat. Be sure to research and understand dog nutrition so you’re providing the essential vitamins and minerals for your dog to be healthy.
- It’s easy. With a little investigation, you’ll find dozens of easy-to-make meals including meatballs, chicken casserole, omelets, and more. Many recipes have a simple list of ingredients, and they won’t take longer to cook than your own dinner.
- Your dog will love you more. If your dog is already dancing around your feet in the kitchen, imagine the excitement when you deliver his meal right from the stove. Your pup will go wild over the new menu, and you’ll get plenty of puppy love as a reward.
- You can adapt to the changing needs of your dogs. You don’t have to suffer through a large bag of dog food if your dog doesn’t like the new flavor. Cooking your own dog food makes for a flexible meal plan. Plus, if your dog develops health issues, you can change your dog’s diet quickly to care for their needs. You may want to consider CBD for dogs. Sometimes this has a more soothing effect. (As always, run any changes or concerns by your dog’s veterinarian, first).
There are lots of great dog food recipes out there and many can be adapted to cater to your dog’s preferences. Here’s one to try!
Puppy Loaf
1 lb. Doggie’s Favorite Meat (a lean meat option is best)
1 ½ cups Mixed Vegetables
2 Eggs
½ cup Cottage Cheese
1 cup Rolled Oats
½ cup Brown Rice (cooked)
Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Select a combination of vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, zucchini, winter squash, pumpkin, potatoes, or celery. Dice, grate, or finely chop vegetables. In a large bowl, mix together all ingredients. Press into a meatloaf pan. Bake for 40 minutes. Slice and serve!
While our first job is to care for your dog with the best dog walkers and pet sitters in the country, we’re happy to ensure you have the resources to care for your dog’s health and happiness! Visit us online to learn more about the Rover.com community of pet sitters.
Author: Written by Tracy Vicory-Rosenquist, at the Rover.com community member. Rover is the nation’s largest network of 5-star pet sitters and dog walkers.
