Commercial Dog Food vs Homemade Dog Food: Updated: 1-20-2024
(Homemade Dog Food Recipe Below)
In recent years, there has been a growing concern among dog owners about the quality of commercial dog food and the potential health implications for their beloved dogs.
With the rise of allergies, digestive problems, and obesity.
This has led many dog owners to question whether commercial dog food is truly the best choice.
The debate between commercial dog food and homemade dog food has sparked a heated discussion among pet owners, veterinarians, and pet food manufacturers.
( Scroll down for the Homemade Dog Food Recipe.)
Nutrient Balance Crucial for Dogs
Dogs, like humans, require. a balanced diet . This provides essential nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals.
These nutrients play vital roles in maintaining healthy bodily functions, supporting growth and development, and preventing various health issues.
A well-balanced diet can contribute to a strong immune system, healthy skin and coat, optimal digestion and improve energy levels.
Feeding commercial dog food or preparing homemade meals. It's essential to prioritize nutrient balance to promote overall health and longevity for our canine companions.
Nutritional needs for dogs
- Protein-rich meats
- Whole grains and vegetables
- Healthy fats like fish oil or coconut oil
- Calcium for strong bones and teeth
- Vitamin-rich fruits and berries
- Water for hydration and digestion
Looking Inside Commercial Dog Food vs Homemade
Commercial dog food undergoes extensive testing and is subject to strict quality control standards to ensure it meets nutritional requirements and is safe for consumption.
Regulatory agencies, like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). And the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
This establishes guidelines and conduct inspections to monitor the manufacturing processes and ingredient sourcing of commercial dog food.
These regulations help to minimize the risk of contamination, ensure accurate labeling, and provide dog owners with the confidence that the food they are purchasing meets recognized safety standards.
Walking through a grocery store and looking at all its commercial dog food can be confusing. Most people don’t know what dogs need in their diet.
Commercial dog food is an industry more concerned with sales and marketing.
The pet food industry is a $50 Billion a year industry between pet food and medicine for our pets.
What Commercial Dog Food wants Pet Owners to Know
We believe the hype that pet food companies are making the best decisions for our pets by providing a type of people grade food dried inside a bag of food.
Many who want to claim this is what our pets require. The advertising messages that came across were that table scraps were harmful.
To be safe, you needed to feed your pet's processed food!
There is a certain amount of convenience in having a bag of dog food you only have to scoop of twice a day.
It was easier, and people had concerns about what they were feeding your pets. Advertisers try to make pet food look natural.
Dog food companies want you to think their food is 100% complete. The fact is that no one knows the nutritional requirements of a cat or a dog.
Homemade Food requires Extensive Research
IWhen. preparing homemade dog food, t's important to recognize that the responsibility lies with us to do the research.
Commercial dog food undergoes rigorous testing and adheres to regulatory guidelines. Homemade dog food recipes require careful consideration of the nutritional needs and dietary requirements specific to our individual pets.
This entails consulting with veterinarians or animal nutritionists, studying recommended portion sizes, sourcing high-quality ingredients, and ensuring a balanced diet that meets all necessary nutrient profiles.
The reward lies in knowing exactly what goes into our dog's meals and tailoring their diet to suit their specific needs.
Research for Homemade Dog Food
- Nutritional needs of dogs.
- Cooking methods for canine diets.
- Safe ingredient substitutions for dogs.
- Protein sizes for different dog breeds.
- Food preparation and storage guidelines.
- Supplements and vitamins for homemade dog food.
Cost and Convenience Considerations
- Price per serving.
- Time needed for preparation.
- Availability in local stores.
- Nutritional value and variety.
- Packaging and storage options.
- Feeding on the go or during the travel.
Health Benefits of Homemade Dog Food
- Better control of ingredients.
- Can cater to specific dietary needs.
- Higher quality nutrients and vitamins.
- Fewer preservatives and additives.
- Can be more cost effective.
- Improving overall health and digestive for dogs.
Proper Food Storage and Handling
- Airtight containers for dry food.
- Refrigerator for stored homemade meals.
- Separate utensils for handling raw and cooked food.
- Use clean bowls for serving and storing food.
- Wash hands when handling food.
Some brands of Commercial Dog food is bad
- One: is that process which destroys nutrients inside of dog food.
- No matter if it’s canned, dry dog food processing destroys the nutritional value of the food.
- Dry dog food is cooked under pressure, dehydrated, flavored, then coloring is added.
- Afterward, dog food is sprayed with unnecessary and unhealthy fats so that our pets will eat it.
- Two: Most commercial pet foods are made of low-quality meats.
- Most of them are not human quality ingredients. The fat pet food industry considers them too expensive.
- The U.S. Government allows pet food companies to use meat-by-products. These products are not fit for human consumption.
- They call them the “4-D” of meat ingredients, which means dead, dying, diseased, or disabled. Most of this “4-D” product has rotted. They use phosphoric acid to halt the rotting process.
- These ingredients aren't just grocery store dog foods. Veterinarians can sell as “premium” brands.
- Three - Additional ingredients in commercial foods is not fit for human consumption.
- And if it’s only been in recent times that people asked more questions about their pet's nutrition.
- We have seen a decrease in health issues by feeding homemade diets to our pets. Our pets are designed to eat meats.
- Four: Most commercial pet food contains stabilizers, flavor enhancers, chemical preservatives, and thickeners.
- Chemical preservatives like sodium nitrite, sodium nitrate, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), glutamate (MSG), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), and ethoxy quin.
- They have linked cancer to ethoxy quin and sodium nitrate.
- If a manufacturer includes these items separately, listed on the package.
- Pet food manufacturer buy the ingredients that have preservatives, which they are not required to list them.
Feeding Dry Homemade Dog Food
Having enough time to make a nutrient balanced homemade diet to help your dog be healthier can be extremely hard.
All healthy homemade dog food only to be supplemented with vitamins. Many people, myself included, preferred to rotate between commercial food and raw meat proteins.
Human grade in pet food means it's legally approved for pets and humans.
It is edible and has gone through rigorously regulated standards approving it for pets as being edible for humans.
Making Homemade Dog Food
Homemade is the absolute best for your pets. For some people, it's not possible to spend the time on something you want to do.
Along with being more time-consuming. Sometimes homemade dog food can be more costly and commercial dog food.
Wet food, in cans or pouches, is the next best alternative.
You’ll want to combine that with a few raw food items and nutritional supplements.
At the very least, you’ll want to add in some raw vegetables daily.
Regular checkups and routine bloodwork are an essential part of feeding a homemade diet.
Making Homemade Dog Food Healthier
- Raw Vegetables—For every 10 pounds of your dog's weight, add โ to ¼ cup of raw vegetables.
- Grated carrots
- Zucchini
- Chopped lettuce
- Green Beans
- Steamed broccoli
Raw Fruits: Giving fresh fruits several times a week.
- Apples
- Watermelons
- Pumpkin
- Carrots
Animal Protein Requirements
Organic Meats
For every 10 lbs of your dog's weight, you'll add โ to ยผ cup of baked, broiled or raw organic meats.
- Chicken
- Beef
- Lamb
- Turkey
- Free range is best, be sure to grind or remove all the bones.
Raw Eggs
Provide your pets with a raw egg once a week.
This is a significant source of antibiotics.
It’s best to use organic eggs from free-range chickens.
Acidophilus:
This can be found in the refrigerator section of a natural food store.
- Add ¼ to ½ teaspoon acidophilus. (Liquid or powder form).
Yogurt
Using yogurt, once a week will help your pet to stay regulated.
- Using โ to ¼ cup for small dogs and ½ to ¾ cup for a larger dog.
Always use a plain natural yogurt from health food stores.
Cottage Cheese
Add a small amount up to three times a week.
Cottage cheese is easy to digest and is an excellent source of protein and is beneficial if your dog is not feeling well.
Goat’s milk or Cow’s milk
If your dog has digestion issues. Avoid milk.
Some dogs do not have the digestive enzymes to digest milk.
Goat's milk naturally homogenizes itself.
Goat's milk is easy to ingest and is better than cow's milk.
You’ll never want to feed half-and-half or whole milk.
They cannot digest cream. These forms of milk will often cause diarrhea.
Cheese
- Try feeding your dog a few small pieces of cheese in the beginning.
You’ll want to watch your pet's stools as cheese can cause constipating or diarrhea.
I feed my dogs small pieces (3 or 4) as daily snacks with no problems.
Vitamins, Minerals and Antioxidants
- I use high-quality natural vitamin and mineral supplements.
These come from natural pet food companies. The directions will vary on the brand you choose.
Vitamin C and Vitamin E are a supportive antioxidant and help the body’s level of toxicity and free radicals.
Most dogs tolerate antioxidants.
Enzyme supplements
Always use according to the directions on your choice of enzyme supplementation.
I like the Poochie Powder and EcoDigestives.”
The most important thing our Dog's need?
Animal protein. That is what our pets need to live a long and happy life.
Animal proteins have all the essential nutritional needs that our pets have to maintain: a healthy coat, good digestion, strong eyes, and body.
Dogs' digestive systems can handle raw meats and fats.
Protein is the staple of a pet's diet.
Studies confirm that high levels of protein are necessary for dogs of all ages.
Protein in a pet food comprises more than just meat, dairy, fish or eggs. These all are substantial sources.
Grains and vegetables are additional proteins good for our pets.
What should you Feed your Dog
Complete proteins include:
- Red meat
- Poultry
- Cultured dairy, which includes cottage cheese or yogurt.
- Eggs
- Organ meats
Our pets need a balance of these proteins for optimal health with calcium, antioxidants, and mineral supplements.
Chart for Feeding our Pets:
Dogs Weight in Pounds | 5 | 10 | 25 | 40 | 60 | 80 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Proteins | 2 ยฝ Tbsp | โ Cup | โ Cup | 1 โ Cups | 1 โ Cups | 1 ยพ Cups |
Grains | ยฝ Cup | 1 Cup | 2 Cups | 2 ยฝ Cups | 4 Cups | 5 Cups |
Vegetables | 1 Tbsp | โ Cup | ยผ Cup | โ Cup | ยฝ Cup | โ Cup |
Oil | ยผ Cup | ยฝ Tsp | 1 Tsp | 1 ยฝ Tsp | 2 Tsp | 2 ยฝ Tsp |
Vitamin and Mineral Supplements | Use according to the directons on the label. | |||||
Enzyme Supplements | Use according to the directons on the label. |
Free Homemade Dog Food Recipe
๐ Recipe
Homemade Dog Food Recipe
Ingredients
- ยพ cup brown rice
- 1 ยผ cup cubed beef, chicken or turkey
- ยพ cup liver
- ยผ cup raw grated zucchini
- ยผ cup steamed broccoli
- 1 small egg - use the shell
- ยผ cups carrots
- 1 ยฝ teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- Vitamin and Mineral supplements
Instructions
- Bring rice to a boil in a pan. Simmer and cover until done.
- Steam broccoli
- Boil or use the egg raw. ( Grind up the egg shell to use for calcium).
- Mix all the ingredients.
- Add Vitamin and Mineral supplement according to suggested uses on labels.
- Serve to and enjoy.
Go slow when introducing a Homemade diet
Once you feed a natural raw diet, you’ll notice an upswing of energy. Health problems can disappear and you’ll have a less gassy dog.
Your dog may take a few days or a week to adjust to his or her new diet. Sometimes the change in diet can cause diarrhea with your pets.
This is common with the change in diet and will go away in a week.
Feeding a Balanced Diet over time
Going from feeding processed dog food to homemade food is a more natural, complete and healthier state for your dog.
Changing your pet's diet is one of the most important things you can do for your pet.
The only reason to feed commercial food is for the convenience. If you want your pet to live a longer, healthier life, give raw homemade dog food a try.
Do you feed your dog raw food? Cooked food? Or processed food.
Kristina Martorana says
Dont forget omegas for heart healthโค it makes them feel good too. * noticeable difference in mood*
Ruby Doodle Dog says
Yes, absolutely for sure...I completely agree. It's also good for helping with energy levels as well. Thanks for the suggestion.
Stacey Holleb says
I need suggestions please. My 20 month old Husky seems to have a very sensitive stomach. I rescued her about 3 months ago - just before COVID. Her foster family told me she was fine with just kibble from Costco, but I soon found that to not be the case. So, I stated making her food to stop the diarrhea and have had to continue doing so. I am more than happy to cook her food for the rest of her life - I want nothing but the best for her! I have been making her food using plain baked chicken, brown rice, lots of pumpkin, carrots boiled in chicken broth, baked salmon skin (for the oils and Omega 3's), crushed egg shells, and whole rolled oats. She continued to have loose and gooey stools so my neighbor suggested I add probiotics - which I have been for the past 8 weeks. Some days are fine, others it is back to the gooey loose stool (hard to pick up kind, but not diarrhea) at least one of her usual 2 poops. So I added more grains for fiber. Same thing, good days and bad days. She is 39 lbs, very healthy in appearance and energy, and super active. I only feed her my food once a day, and she has a self-feeder of the highest quality dry food I can find - currently it is a grain free dry food.
Any suggestions on how to help my beautiful pup's digestion?
Marguerite says
Have you had her checked for giardia?
Anonymous says
Probiotics
Kerrie says
My dog has been sick (diarrhea and vomiting) and my vet suggested boiled chicken, rice and cottage. He seems to be feeling better already just after one day. However, he has not pooped yet. So continuing the vet recommend diet for the time being.
Ruby Doodle Dog says
I'm sorry to hear that and I hope your puppy is feeling better soon. I just went through this a second time with my dog Callie. My vet also made a suggestion of switching it up with cottage cheese. She seemed to like it. Hope your puppy is feeling better soon.
Ian says
I don't know if this will help but we just had a very scary experience with our 7 year old Labradoodle, Jasper. Ever since he was a puppy, he was a fussy eater. We tried all kinds of different dog foods, all of them supposedly "high quality". Last month, he wouldn't eat at all and we took him to the vet. After hospital stays, fluid intakes, high liver enzymes, and an ultrasound, we found that he had a nasty gut infection. We actually thought we might lose him. We went through 4 vets at the same clinic and finally found one that knew what was wrong. After several heavy bouts of antibiotics, and $4000.00, it turns out that he was having a reaction to either the fillers or the preservatives in the dog food. We had no idea! We now feed him a diet of salmon, chicken, potatoes, zucchini, carrots, olive oil and the occasional treat. He is a different dog! His blood work came back perfect, his eyes are bright and he has that happy look....you dog owners know that right? I feel guilty that I only found this out now but I am glad that we did.
Ruby Doodle Dog says
I'm so glad to hear that you found something that helped Jasper...Be sure to add some organ meats to balance out your meal plan for him. Best of luck - and Ruby says "hi."
Jackie says
Hi
Glad to hear your pup is feeling better.
Would you have any recipes please x
Nicole Galvin says
Hi, could you please tell me if the recipe makes a serving size for a small, medium or large dog? Thx!
Ruby Doodle Dog says
Hi, serving varies so much...I generally make it, and use about a fist full for my 20 lb Goldendoodle and a couple of cups for my Lab....it all depends on how much your dog eats.
Deb says
I have a 6.5 kg 6 month old Australian Terrrier. Do I need to add anything extra for her and how much should I give her each day?