Home Cooked Dog Food

Dog Nutrition

Many people think dogs should eat only protein. This is incorrect. Dogs, like humans, require a variety of meat, starches and vegetables to meet their basic nutritional requirements. If dogs eat only protein, they will lack important vitamins, and this can lead to deficiencies and even thyroid problems. If they do not receive enough protein, they may suffer from poor immune function, muscle deterioration and blood disorders. So, a balanced diet is essential. Many vets recommend a ratio of 40 percent protein, 50 percent vegetables and 10 percent starch.

Ingredients to Use

Each of the food categories has a wide variety of ingredients from which to choose. The most important aspect is that the ingredients be fresh and contain no additives.

Protein

People normally think of dogs as eating beef, but there are many other possibilities to fulfill the protein requirements. Any good muscle or organ protein is good. Use liver moderately because the liver in an animal may retain impurities. You can use these protein sources based on cost and availability:

• Beef - Either ground or cut into small strips
• Turkey - Widely available, easily digested and economical
• Chicken - Like turkey, is affordable and easy to find
• Lamb
• Fish - Mackerel or herring, but no more than once or twice a week
• Beans - Lima beans or kidney beans, but should not replace the meat protein
• Eggs - In moderation

Vegetables

Dogs can eat a wide range of vegetables. However, some should be avoided. Safe vegetables include:

• Carrots
• Green beans
• Broccoli - Can cause gas
• Cauliflower - Can cause gas
• Spinach
• Peas
• Celery
• Cucumbers
• Pumpkin

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates contain important vitamins for dogs. They also provide fiber for a healthy digestion. Good possibilities are:

• Rice - Especially brown rice
• Potatoes - Must be cooked
• Pasta - Without oil or salt
• Oatmeal
• Yams

Ingredients to Avoid

While many people think dogs can eat almost anything, certain foods are dangerous and even deadly to dogs. Do not include any of these when making home cooked dog food:

• Chocolate
• Onions
• Raisins
• Avocados
• Grapes
• Walnuts and Macadamia nuts
• Coffee
• Spices, such a cayenne, curry or paprika
• Raw yeast dough

It should be noted that you should never use any ingredients that are spoiled or contain mold. The rule of thumb is never feed your dog anything that would be dangerous for you to eat.

Garlic is a controversial ingredient. Raw garlic is especially discouraged. However, many home dog food chefs include a clove or two of cooked garlic as an ingredient. Check with your vet regarding including garlic in your pet's food.

Ingredients to Limit

Some ingredients, while not harmful to dogs, should only be used on a limited basis:

• Butter
• Added salt, since many canned ingredients already contain salt
• Dairy foods, since some dogs have difficulty digesting
• Cooking oils, such as canola oil
• Corn, since many dogs have difficulty digesting 

* Sources from http://dogs.lovetoknow.com