Tag: Homemade dog food

According to a study by BMC Veterinary Research, chicken is one of the least common allergens for dogs, affecting only 15% of the canine population. This makes it an ideal base ingredient when creating a cheap and healthy meal for dogs. Pet owners can create nutritious, budget-friendly food at home with a few simple ingredients, offering a fresh alternative to commercial kibble.

Originally coined 'Born Again Raw Feeders,' the BARF method, which can also stand for 'Bones and Raw Food' or 'Biologically Appropriate Raw Food,' has a history rooted in the pushback against heavily processed commercial pet foods. This diet is built on the principle of feeding dogs raw, natural foods that mimic what their canine ancestors would have consumed in the wild.

The popularity of raw, meat-based diets for dogs has surged in recent years, with many owners reporting benefits like improved coat health and increased energy. If you're wondering, "how do I do a raw diet for my dog?" this article will provide you with the comprehensive information needed to get started safely.

Raw diet guidelines, such as the Prey Model Raw (PMR) and Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (BARF) approaches, typically recommend that muscle meat constitutes 70% to 80% of a dog's total daily food intake. Learning how much muscle meat should a dog eat is crucial for pet owners aiming to provide a species-appropriate and nutritionally complete diet for their canine companion. This percentage must be balanced correctly with other food groups to prevent serious nutritional deficiencies.

While the internet is full of DIY pet food recipes, attempting to make your own hydrolyzed dog food is not feasible or safe. The complex process of hydrolysis, which breaks down proteins to a size undetectable by the immune system, requires precise lab-based methods.

Hydrolyzed protein is a medical-grade, chemically processed food, and the short answer is no, you cannot safely make your own hydrolyzed protein dog food at home. This guide explains why attempting this complex and potentially dangerous process is a mistake and provides safe, vet-approved alternatives for managing your pet’s food sensitivities.

Over recent years, a growing number of pet owners have embraced the practice of raw feeding, which aims to provide a diet closer to a dog's natural eating habits. One of the most widely followed approaches is the 80 10 10 dog food recipe, a guideline for creating a simple, prey-model raw diet.

According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), adult dogs require a minimum of 18% protein and 5.5% fat on a dry matter basis, but these are just minimums. A truly optimal dog food ratio is a flexible guideline, not a rigid rule, as it must adapt to your dog's unique life stage, energy demands, and specific health concerns.

Many commercial dog foods contain excessive fillers like grains, corn, and soy, which can be difficult for dogs to digest. This has led many pet owners to explore alternative dietary approaches, including the 80/20 rule for dog food, a concept that emphasizes higher protein content for better health.

Approximately 75% of a bland diet for dogs should consist of a carbohydrate like boiled white rice, with the remaining 25% being a lean protein source such as boiled chicken. This specific ratio helps soothe your dog's digestive tract during recovery from an upset stomach, diarrhea, or post-surgery gastrointestinal issues.