Did You Know? Homemade Dog Food Is Better…

Hay Good Manor

Did you know that making tasty dog food at home can make your dogs feel energetic, healthy, and mentally vibrant? If we can’t spell or recognize the ingredients in processed food, why would we feed it to ourselves or our dogs? The pharmaceutical and food industries profit immensely from people and animals consuming processed foods. It’s a true gimmick, and we must educate ourselves in this space.

I have two beautiful fur babies: Sophie, a Beagle-Pit mix, and Koji, a full-breed German Shepherd. I noticed that the more I made their food, the healthier they became. Now, my dogs don’t eat commercial dog food at all. Yes, it’s a special diet, but it’s worth it. In fact, I often eat their food too, and it’s healthier for me as well!

From simmering chicken or turkey to steaming fresh or frozen vegetables, a little ginger, apples, and sweet potatoes. I save the stock to add to their rice, oatmeal, and egg mixture when preparing it on the stove or baking it in the oven. I find it is much cheaper to buy when prepared in bulk than the cost of dry dog food and you can freeze batches of it for a later time. Food is a catalyst for nutritional and mental well-being. When we eat healthily, we emulate the same vitality as our animals. Vegetables, fruits, and occasionally a few special nuts add protein to both your diet and your dog’s.

Remember, dogs can’t eat spicy foods, onions, garlic, or salt. However, they can enjoy asparagus, mixed vegetables, and occasionally a few pieces of spinach or leafy greens (not too often). It’s essential to do your due diligence to find out what works best for your dog, just like you would with dry dog food. If you’re using dry food, slowly transition your dog’s diet by substituting it with brown rice, vegetables, eggs, and meat. Dogs are carnivorous, and dry food often contains fillers that can upset their stomachs.

I’ve noticed improvements in their poop, breath, eyes, and fur. Did you know that just changing their diet can deter ticks, mosquitoes, and mites? It also means fewer vet visits, no bad breath, fewer ear infections, and less thirst due to the water content in their cooked food. Their skin isn’t dry, which reduces scratching, and they smell better.

Try incorporating healthy spices and ingredients into your dog’s diet and always check with your vet if you notice any unhealthy behavior when changing their diet. For me, I didn’t initially tell my vet about the diet change, but they noticed the difference and were shocked when I told them.

Taking care of your health and your dog’s health will be a testimony to how you feel and will impress your friends and relatives. This will put a smile on your face and, most importantly, on your dogs’ faces too!

Creating homemade dog food with herbs and international spices can be a great way to add variety and nutrition to your dog’s diet. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Basic Guidelines

Consult Your Vet: Always check with your veterinarian before introducing new ingredients to ensure they are safe for your dog.

Avoid Toxic Ingredients: Some herbs and spices, like garlic, onions, and nutmeg, are toxic to dogs. Make sure to avoid these.

Recipe Ideas

1. Mediterranean Chicken and Rice

Ingredients: Chicken breast, brown rice, carrots, peas, olive oil, parsley, oregano.

Instructions: Cook the chicken and rice separately. Sauté the carrots and peas in olive oil until tender. Mix everything and add chopped parsley and oregano.

2. Asian-Inspired Beef and Veggies

Ingredients: Ground beef, sweet potatoes, green beans, ginger, turmeric.

Instructions: Cook the ground beef and drain excess fat. Steam the sweet potatoes and green beans until soft. Mix everything and add a pinch of grated ginger and turmeric.

3. Herb-Infused Fish and Quinoa