Homemade food for dogs
Ok, you probably know by now that I’m very particular about what my dogs eat. I first started cooking for Elliott because he needed a natural diet to heal from Demodectic mange. Then later with all the seniors and sick dogs we welcomed through the organization, because it gave them the best start to a better health. Still today with our ageing doggies and especially Gurky, who has a super senstive stomach and allergies, eating fresh and natural food is what we want for them (and for us!). So how can you make sure of what they eat better than making it yourself? The answer is simple: do it yourself!
You are whay you eat :)! Dogs want to eat freah food as well!
We also make bone broths ourselves. It’s super healthy and fun to make! The cats love that too.
I’m not gonna lie, it’s not cheaper than buying pet food if you really choose good ingredients and surely time-consuming, but trust me, it’s really worth it! You know there is no crap added to either hide bad quality or just preserve the food. The change in your dog’s energy and overall health is mind-blowing! You should see our seniors going crazy when I take too much time preparing their bowl, suddenly forgetting about their arthritis! Those who once were pouting their yet quality freeze-dried food (I used to alternate because we had quite a crew and it was just too colossal to feed them cooked meals each day) now gobble up their entire portion and wont’t leave a single crumb.
As I already explained in the post about the pet food industry (not gonna discuss the hypocrisy of most pet products here), I chose a cooked diet instead of a raw, for so many reasons. Sensitive stomachs, being uncomfortable giving them raw meat and with experience, noticing how they have trouble digesting raw vegetables in particular. I like to try before making up my mind and found that cooked was the best way to go, all the while making sure most nurtients are preserved (vegetables are steamed and the meat is either braised or boiled, and we keep most of the jus afterward). What’s the point of giving them raw to supposedly keep all the benefits if they cannot digest at all and don’t keep anything in their system since you find the full pieces in their poop? Or if they get sick and throw up? I keep a few ingredients “raw”, but I ground them for better absorption. And their poop is silky smooth!
Fresh vegetables are steamed to keep most of the nutrients.
We vary each time. Here it was cauliflower, green beans and spaghetti squash. Everything under close surveillance!
Here sweet potatoes (with the skin), carrots, celeri and some garlic.
The chicken livers are here slowly cooked in a little bit of apple cider vinegar, turmeric and black pepper.
So here is how we cook for our very special crew! My husband, who’s a trained chef, enjoys cooking for them and I must say that I don’t mind at all! I enjoy making the recipes and he loves slipping into his doggie chef apron! I made penty of research to make sure they get all the vitamins and minerals they need of course, adding them in the end if they are not present in the ingredients we cook. I made a basic list at the end of this post.
We also vary the meat and poultry. This time is was poached turkey breasts.
Gurky and Charlotte, making sure everything is made properly. Thanks daddy!
When the vegetables are done, we put everyhting in the processor for a yummy purée.
This is where we also add the oils and fruits.
We always choose meat and/or poultry, that makes 50% of the dish. Then we add fish (sardines, anchovies, pink salmon, jack mackerel, always in water if in cans) that makes about 10%, organs (almost always liver, together with heart, kidney, spleen, gizzard or tripe) 10-15%, 2 to 4 eggs depending on the amount of food, fuits (very often apples, bananas, blueberries, mango, melon) and vegetables (we love carrot, green bean, celery, cauliflower, broccoli, pumkin, squash, zucchini, bell peppers, beets, bok choy, spinach) for the rest (around 30%). I sometimes use either sweet potatoes or kidney beans to add a little more substance, brown rice or quinoa if I use grains, but that’s no more than 10-20%. I’m not fond of barley that I noticed they cannot digest at all (some even had diarrhea) and avoid any other kind of grains. When I prepare their food bowl, I top it all off with dairy (plain yogurt, kefir, ricotta or cottage cheese). And voilà, a healthy and balanced meal! The key is variety, so make sure you always switch each time you come up with the recipe.
The organs are also ground.
Greens (here kale with some ginger) are ground raw.
Same for the sardines (canned in water, not oil).
And we blend it all together.
We start by cooking the meat in bone broth (chicken or beef, that we often make ourselves, check out our recipe), either poached or cooked à l’étouffée in the oven. If we use fresh fish, we also cook it that way. The organs are braised in bone broth or apple cider vinegar (see the benefits in the list below). If we cook bown rice or quinoa, we also cook it in bone broth and very often add turmeric and pepper. When it’s close to being ready, we cook most of the vegetables in a steamer so that everything can be blended together at the same temperature.
Sometimes we get funky colors (this was pumpkin, beets & kale)!
Meat and poulrty are cooked in bone broth, most of the time à l’étouffée in the oven.
We then dice the red meat (here prime breef). Thank you to my private chef!
And shred the poultry (here it was chicken thighs).
When the veggies are ready, we use the food processor to make a purée. Not only is it easier for the toothless and gobblers to eat without risking to choke, but it also makes it more digest as I already mentioned and they absorb all the vitamins they ingest. We also grind the fish and the greens that we didn’t steam (like kale or spinach for instance). We then dice or shred the meat. We very often add 2-3 eggs (that we just stir and they cook with the meat that is still hot). Finally, we blend it all together and this is when we add supplements like calcium and vitamin E (although we sometimes prefer to add those in their bowl directly to make sure each get the right dosage).
And we mix it all. Here we made a separate one for Gurk who is allergic to chicken.
They get to help with the cleaning!
And we store it all in the fridge.
Remember that the key is variety! The more you rotate ingredients, the more balanced the diet will be and you’ll need to add less supplements. And of course, the dogs enjoy it too. After all, you don’t like to eat the same stuff over and over either!
While preparing their bowl, they get quite impatient.
Same anywhere we are, even in a tiny kitchen!
Some hope I’ll drop a portion! Almost never happens ;).
I add most supplements and dairy directly in their bowl. We love kefir or cottage cheese.
And finally, they can eat! Yummy meal that’s easy to gobble for the toothless ones. Muffin needs a little help to finish still, she takes more time as you can see :).
Prozac used to be a little finicky, now he licks his bowl clean and then around it since he splashes quite a bit…
I made a quick list of what we add and why. Please check our other more detailed post about all the natural supplements we use and their benefits, depending on their issues and to avoid any medication as much as possible.
Basically, what we always add to their food is (please check the amount needed for your dogs depending on their size):
vitamin E is vital for our doggies. A fat-soluble vitamin essential to cell function, fat metabolism, strong and healthy muscles. It supports their circulatory system and improves eyesight (great for dogs with cataract). It is aslo a powerful antioxidant that boosts their immune system. The recommended amount for a healthy dog is 1-2 IUs per pound of body weight daily. Higher doses (about 5 IUs daily) for a dog with health issues (kidney or heart failure, diabetes, arthritis, skin issues, etc.) may be more beneficial (source here from DogAware.com where you can find plenty of tips). I ended up giving them a dose once a week (which is a little less than 200 IUs), it is easier to measure and administer.
calcium (from seaweed or prepared eggshells). Know that kale, bok choy, spinach, collard, broccoli, green beans are naturally rich in calcium, same with sardines and pink salmon, ground sesame seeds, so adjust accordingly. Essential for our doggie’s teeth and bones of course, calcium also plays a role in their heart, nerve and muscle function. It is vital for blood clotting, aids digestion and supports their immune system. It is important to balance their calcium intake with their phosphorus intake. If you use a calcium supplement, avoid one with added vitamin D.
Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA & DHA). Especially found in fishes like sardines, anchovies, mackerel, salmon. Organs are also full of omega-3. Chia seeds, flaxseeds and canola oil. These boost the immune system and reduce inflammation (great for arthritis or skin issues), are vital for brain development, promote healthy heart and kidney, improve the skin and coat, reduce anxiety and are proven to fight cancer. Use fish oils if you don’t add fish to their diet. Krill oil (which is a crustacean close to a shrimp) has less chances of containing mercury, as well as wild Alaskan salmon. Cod liver oil also provides vitamins A & D. Always balance omega-3 & 6. Most diets include too much omega-6 (which suppresses cells and promotes inflammation). This can compromise the immune system, lead to kidney and liver deficiencies, and cancer. Omega-3 helps reduce and balance these potential risks.
Omega-6 fatty acids (linoleic acid) are crucial for the immune system. Found in protein which is why their diet often doesn’t lack from it, you can also find these in eggs and plant oils like flaxseed (which also contains omega-3), safflower oil, sunflower oil, walnut oil or hemp seed oil.
multivitamins (I also vary, and when they contain vitamins E and iodine, I don’t add them individually to not oversupplement). Basically vitamins A, B-complex, C, D, E, and K. Prefer herbal versus synthetic ones. We like brands like Dr. Harvey’s, Animal Essentials, Wysong, Missing Link or Nupro.
iodine supports their metabolism and thyroid function. Lack of iodine leads to hypothyroidism. Fish (sardines, salmon, flounder) is rich in iodine. Oysters are also rich in iodine, zinc, copper and vitamin D. Kelp (seaweed) is also our go-to.
we often add herbs like oregano (full of antioxidantt, antimicrobial & antifungal), romsemary (high in iron, calcium and vitamin B6), basil (same as oregano), sage (improves digestion and works on the brain, helping memory and has a calming effect), alfalfa (full of nutrients, relieves arthritis and promotes kidney health). The flavonoids found in most herbs help fighting issues related to ageing. Beware of parsley though: only the curly-leafed variety! The “spring parsley” is toxic (contains high levels of furanocoumerin). It is diuretic (helps prevent UTIs), improves the health of blood cells, is a natural anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory (great for arthritis), has antimicrobial propteries, its high levels in chlorophyll freshens the breath and it is full of vitamins and antioxidants. It is not recommended for dogs with kidney issues though. Again, give small amounts and rotate!
Please remember that liver and other organs like hearts are very important since they bring so many benefits and have more nutrients than muscle meats. Livers are particularly rich in vitamin A, B-complex, D, K and E, copper, while hearts are rich in zinc, taurine and CoQ10, and kidneys are rich in iron, vitamins A & B. We noticed though that too many organs can cause loose stools, this is why we usually give no more than 15% of the meal.
Here are other few ingredients we use and give regularly:
turmeric & pepper (always combine the two for proper absorption). I talk more about the benefits of turmeric here, but in short, it’s a powerful antioxidant and natural pain and inflammation reliever! We use it all the time for our seniors.
ginger (same family as turmeric) is great for digestion (remieves stomach aches and gas), arthritis (natural anti-inflammatory), and is said to reduce heartworm risks and fight cancer.
garlic is not toxic if given small amounts. This is a wonderful natural dewormer and fleas/ticks repellant, but has also plenty of health benefits! It improves circulation, detoxifies the body, boosts the liver, helps assimilate nutrients, fights bacterial, fungal and viral infections, has antiseptic and antibiotic properties, lowers cholesterol and is a great immune system booster.
apple cider vinegar (unpasteurized and unfiltered), is a great itch-reliever and flea/tick repellent. Also relieves yeast infections. Contains trace minerals.
bone broth is a wonderful joint supplement (truly miraculous on loose joints and arthritis!), that also boosts the immune system and promotes a healthy digestion. See our post and recipe here!
hemp seeds have a good Omega-3 & 6 ratio and are super nutritious. They not only improve the skin & coat and are antoxidant, they are also anti-inflammatory (relieves joint pain), promote a healthy cardiovascular system, decreases the chances of organ failure (a great supplement for heart diseases and it is also said to fight cancer and reduce the ageing process) and boosts the immune system (natrually contains zinc, magnesium, calcium and iron). Hemp seeds also have a relaxing effect, perfect for our anxious dogs (but they’re not majiruana)! And it has a significant effect on the brain function, which helps manage senility.
other seeds beneficial to dogs are chia seeds (full of Omega-3, increase energy), flaxseeds (antioxidant and great for the skin & fur), pumpkin seeds (good for digestion (also work as a dewormer) & relaxation), sunflower seeds (full of vitamin E) and sesame seeds (protect the liver). Better grind them to break hard shells and release all the nurtients.
As for oils, we use plant oils mainly to add omega-6 fatty acids (rich in linoleic acid, aka LA) if needed. In poultry fat there is plenty of omega-6 fatty acids (LA), so we only add some if we use breasts or remove the skin from the poultry, or if there is mostly red meat. Know that too many omega-6 can contribute to inflammation, when it’s supposed to be anti-inflammatory! Always be careful in dosage and balance. We use walnut oil, sunflower, safflower or hemp seed oil if there is more red meat and flaxseed or chia seed oil (although we prefer the ground seeds) if there’s more poultry to balance the fats. We also rotate and use canola or olive oil, although the latter contains a non-essential omega-9, that still can improve the coat and skin. I stay away from coconut oil (although many use it), it is too high in saturated fats and can lead to gut leak amongst other issues.
We rarely use fish oil (rich in omega-3, that include DHA & EPA) since we give enough sardines or fresh fish, but it’s very important for our dog’s health. See the detailed natural supplement post to learn about its benefits!