Homemade Pet Food Recipes: A Guide for Healthy Pets

More pet owners are probably thinking of cooking their own pet food recipes so as to feed their pets meals that are more customized, more fresh and more healthy. The thought of preparing a meal to give to your dog or cat is soothing and you know exactly what is in their bowls. However, preparing food at home isn’t as easy as setting the scraps atop your own food. Pets are also food sensitive and unless balanced an improperly prepared food may end up being harmful. This guide covers the preparation of healthy recipes and what experts recommend and how to keep your pet happy, energetic and healthy.Pet Fresh Supplies aims to provide comprehensive information and guidance to the pet owners for their lovely pets

Why Choose Homemade Pet Food?

Understanding the attractiveness of homemade pet food is not difficult. Customers prefer to see no fillers, preservatives and artificial flavors common in commercial foods. The majority of pet owners prefer homemade diets, according to PetMD, to treat allergies, food sensitivity, or health issues that need a very limited amount of ingredients.Home cooked meals are flexible. You may modify recipes to accommodate pets who have kidney problems, delicate stomachs or are overweight. It is also a means of connection with others, cooking together is a sign of love to some the way we cook together with our family.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), however, home-cooked diets do not necessarily prove to be healthier. They can be left without certain essential needs such as taurine in cats and calcium in dogs, which proves to be detrimental in the future. 

You can read more about dogs or your pets from our blogs.

What Specialists Recommend

Board-certified veterinary nutritionist Dr. Lisa Freeman at Tufts University notes that the most frequent error made in home-prepared diets is an imbalance. Pets do need certain degree of protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.. Chicken and rice can be healthy but without supplements, your dog or cat will be missing some vitally important nutrients.According to veterinarians, to cook homemade meals, it is better to enlist the help of a pet nutritionist who will make recipes depending on the age, breed, and health condition of your pet. Other websites such as balanceit.com, which was created by experts in the veterinary field, also offer recipes that are of nutritional value.

Dr. Debra Zoran of Texas A & M University emphasizes that pets on homemade diets need a regular medical checkup. Blood tests and weight tracking will keep your cooking options really benefiting your pet. 

You may want to read about other  Pet Care Guide

• Pet Family
• Dogs breed
• Cat Breed
• Exotic Pets
• Apartment Living?
• Small and Large Pets
• Pet care essential, Pillar Content

Safe Ingredients for Homemade Pet Food

Most recipes are based on chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, and fish proteins. A combination of a low carbohydrate like brown rice, oatmeal, or sweet potatoes can be given to dogs. As obligate carnivores, cats need more protein and less carb. Carrots, peas, pumpkin, and spinach are vegetables that both dogs and cats like in small portions.

Avoid onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, chocolate and too much salt, which are dog toxins. Completely cooked meats minimize the chance of bacterial contamination. Bones, especially cooked ones should be avoided because they splinter and lead to injuries. 

People are interested in knowing their dog’s good Pet Care Guide

Sample Homemade Pet Food Recipe

This is a plain dog food recipe that consists of chicken, brown rice and carrots cooked with a teaspoon of fish oil. This mix is a source of protein, healthy fats and fiber. In the case of cats, an ingredient list could include baked salmon, pumpkin puree, and a sprinkling of taurine supplement because cats have specific needs.

Dogs might need not only omega-3 fatty acids and specific vitamins, but also calcium. House cats that are unable to produce taurine almost always require it as a supplement.

You may want to read about Best Dog Foods in Australia: Expert Tips & Top Picks

Benefits and Drawbacks

Home cooked meals will have picky eaters happier about their meal, help reduce allergy attacks, and make you more confident about the quality of the ingredients.On the other hand, they are extremely time-consuming, more expensive to cook and require planning to avoid shortfalls.

Commercial food is more convenient and always balanced, but when properly prepared, homemade diets can be as healthy as commercial food and even more customized. It is about being prepared and advised on the profession. 

You may want to read about Feeding Your Cat Right: How to Choose the Best Food

Questions About Homemade Pet Food

Can homemade food replace commercial pet food entirely?

Yea, and, of course, as long as the recipes are balanced and under a veterinarians guide. Animals on homemade diets with improper design may be severely deficient.

What supplements are needed in homemade diets?

Dogs may also require calcium as well as omega-3 fatty acids and certain vitamin. Taurine is nearly always a necessary additive in house cats that are unable to synthesize taurine.

Is raw homemade food safe for pets?

Raw diets are trending and dangerous. The AVMA cautions against such bacteria as Salmonella.During the production of food materials, pets and human beings are not subjected to health risks.

How do I know if my pet is thriving on homemade food?

Watch a shiny coat, steady weight, soft bowels and high energy. Nutrition balance is checked by regular visits to the vet and bloodwork.

Are homemade diets more affordable?

In many cases, they are pricier because fresh ingredients and supplements are used. Yet, the health benefits are worth the cost to some owners.

Conclusion

The benefits of making pet food recipes at home are incredible, including reducing allergies and increasing the strength of your relationship with your pet. But they need knowledge, planning and supervision by professionals. Experts such as PetMD and American Veterinary Medical Association state that it is all about balance..With time and dedication, you can keep your pet healthy, happy and thriving on homemade diets. Nevertheless, it is best to consult your veterinarian when necessary, modify recipes accordingly, and keep in mind that the task is not only to feed your pet, but to help it live a longer and healthier life.