Dante Carrillo
There are many reasons why an all-natural diet may be beneficial for your dog. Dogs' digestive systems are designed to eat raw food, and cooking food can destroy enzymes and antioxidants. An all-natural diet can also help to eliminate additives and improve your dog's diet quality. However, it is important to note that some raw foods can carry viruses and pathogens that can make your dog sick, and feeding your dog raw food should be done carefully. Before switching your dog to a homemade diet, it is recommended to discuss it with a veterinarian and/or veterinary nutritionist, as dogs have unique nutritional requirements that depend on their age, size, health, and breed.
How to Cook an All-Natural Diet for Dogs
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Raw human-grade ingredients, including meat, bones, and vegetables. |
| Diet Type | Raw or BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) diets. |
| Benefits | More natural for dogs, easier to digest, and preserves enzymes and antioxidants. |
| Risks | Raw meat can carry viruses and pathogens, which can be harmful to dogs and humans. Bones can also be a choking hazard. |
| Nutritional Requirements | Protein, carbohydrates, fiber, and fat. Vitamins and minerals may also be added. |
| Example Recipes | Ground turkey with rice and vegetables; chicken and rice; salmon with rice and butternut squash. |
| Considerations | Time and cost; discuss with a veterinarian or veterinary nutritionist first. |
| Portion Size | Depends on the dog's weight and activity level. |
| Transitioning | Gradually mix new food with old food over 5-7 days to allow the dog to adjust. |
| Preparation | Cooking method (e.g., steaming, roasting, boiling) can impact nutrition. |
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What You'll Learn
Discuss with your vet first
While there are many recipes for homemade dog meals available on the internet, it is always best to discuss any dietary changes with your vet first. The experts say that many of those recipes were not reviewed by veterinary nutritionists to ensure they provide a nutritional, well-balanced diet for your dog. The American College of Veterinary Nutrition (ACVN) warns that your dog’s unique nutritional requirements will depend on their age, size, health, and breed. For example, young dogs have unique calcium and phosphorus requirements, and pregnant and lactating dogs have specific dietary needs that may not be met by a homemade diet.
Your vet may have recipes for you to try or may refer you to a veterinary nutritionist or a vet that focuses on canine nutrition. They can help you understand the basics of what makes a homemade diet balanced for your dog. For example, dogs must have protein in their diets that contain 10 specific essential amino acids their bodies can’t produce. Sources of protein include chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, pork, and fish. A homemade dog diet should also contain an appropriate balance of carbohydrates, fibre, and fat. Vitamins and minerals must be added to the food to ensure it is complete and balanced.
It is important to monitor your dog closely when changing to homemade dog food. The way you cook the ingredients can impact the nutrition of the diet. For example, cooking food can destroy enzymes and antioxidants. However, raw food can carry a number of viruses and pathogens that can make your dog sick, and cooked food is generally safer. It takes time to measure ingredients and prepare the food correctly, and you will need to ensure you can afford the ingredients.
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Raw vs. cooked
Raw dog food consists of uncooked muscle meat, organs, and bones. This diet is based on the assumption that dogs are carnivores and their insides are specially designed to derive their nutrition from raw meat. Cooking food breaks down the nutrients in it, which helps humans digest it better but means that dogs get fewer nutrients from it. Raw food is more bioavailable for dogs than cooked food. Cooking dog food may also add unnecessary carbohydrates, which can cause health problems in dogs.
However, raw dog food may not be for everyone. Preparing raw dog food requires thinking through the process of storing, preparing, and cleaning up after it, just like you would for a raw steak dinner. Some households with small children, older grandparents, or family members with compromised immune systems may prefer cooked dog food over raw food. Cooking dog food eliminates the risk of bacterial contamination from raw meat, extends shelf life, and improves digestibility.
The drawbacks of cooking dog food include the time and effort required, potential higher costs, the challenge of maintaining nutritional balance, shorter shelf life, the risk of preparation mistakes, and possible difficulties in transitioning dogs to homemade meals. Cooking dog food may also require consulting with a veterinarian or nutritionist for balanced recipes and maintaining proper food safety and hygiene practices.
Ultimately, the decision between raw and cooked dog food should be made on a case-by-case basis, considering the specific needs and preferences of the dog and its owners.
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Nutritional requirements
A homemade dog diet should ideally contain a balance of protein, carbohydrates, fibre, and fat. Vitamins and minerals can also be added to ensure the diet is complete and balanced. Here are some specific guidelines for each of these macronutrients:
Protein: Dogs require protein in their diet that contains 10 essential amino acids their bodies cannot produce. Sources of protein can include chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, pork (in limited amounts), and fish such as salmon, whitefish, and herring. It is important to ensure that bones and fat are removed from the meat.
Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates can make up up to 50% of a dog's diet and can include rice, pasta, and potatoes, which also provide some fibre.
Fibre: Fibre is important for a dog's diet and can comprise around 2.5-4.5% of their diet. Sources of fibre include vegetables such as peas, green beans, carrots, and sweet potatoes.
Fat: At least 5.5% of a dog's diet should consist of fat, which can come from animal fats and plant seed oils, such as vegetable oil or coconut oil.
It is important to note that some common human foods can be toxic to dogs, such as garlic, and should be avoided or limited. Additionally, while bones can be beneficial for a dog's natural desire to chew and for teeth cleaning, cooked bones should be avoided as they can splinter and pose a choking hazard.
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Preparation and quantities
If you decide to go ahead with an all-natural diet for your dog, it is important to remember that this type of diet consists of raw, human-grade ingredients. Dogs are facultative carnivores, so their diet should include meat, bones, and the vegetable matter found in the stomach of prey animals. It is important to note that raw meat can carry viruses and pathogens that may make your dog sick, so always take precautions when handling raw meat, such as washing your hands and surfaces.
When preparing an all-natural diet for your dog, be sure to avoid common foods that are toxic to dogs, such as garlic, onions, grapes, raisins, chocolate, and avocado. While some of these foods are not toxic in small amounts, too much can cause digestive upset and even be fatal. Animal bones can also be given to dogs, but it is important to supervise them when chewing on bones, as cooked bones can splinter and cause a choking hazard.
The quantities of food you feed your dog will depend on their weight and activity level. A good rule of thumb is to feed your dog based on their ideal weight rather than their current weight if they are overweight. The amounts listed in most recipes are for a 15-20 lb dog with minimal exercise. If your dog receives more exercise, their caloric needs will increase, and you will need to adjust the quantities accordingly. It is recommended to weigh your dog weekly while they are on a new diet and adjust the portions to meet their caloric requirements.
Some example recipes for an all-natural diet for dogs include:
- Ground turkey, water, rice, and rosemary, with frozen vegetables added near the end of cooking
- Chicken and rice without any seasoning, poached and shredded chicken mixed with white rice
- Salmon, butternut squash, rice, and frozen vegetables
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Natural foods to avoid
While it may be tempting to share your food with your dog, it's important to remember that many human foods can be harmful to your furry friend. Here is a list of natural foods that you should avoid giving to your dog:
Dairy Products
Although dairy is often considered a part of a balanced diet for humans, it can cause several issues in dogs. Many dogs lack the enzyme lactase, which helps break down the sugars in dairy products. As a result, ingesting dairy can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal problems. Additionally, dairy products are high in fat, which can trigger inflammation in the pancreas, a potentially severe or even fatal condition called pancreatitis.
Chocolate, Coffee, and Caffeine
These items contain substances called methylxanthines, which are toxic to dogs. When ingested, methylxanthines can cause a range of symptoms, including vomiting, increased body temperature, inability to walk, lethargy, and nervous system issues. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is, with baking chocolate containing the highest concentration of methylxanthines. If your dog consumes any of these products, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Salt
While a small amount of salt is unlikely to harm your dog, excessive salty foods can lead to dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea, and even depression. In severe cases, these symptoms can progress to tremors, seizures, and death. Therefore, it's best to avoid making salty snacks a regular part of your dog's diet.
Citrus Fruits
While small amounts of oranges, lemons, and limes are unlikely to cause harm, large amounts of citrus fruits can cause gastrointestinal irritation and central nervous system depression in dogs due to their high essential oil content. It's best to limit your dog's intake of these fruits and avoid them altogether if they show any signs of sensitivity.
Nuts
Nuts should generally be avoided due to their high-calorie content and potential to trigger vomiting, diarrhea, and pancreatitis. Macadamia nuts, in particular, are highly toxic to dogs and can cause severe health issues, including vomiting, increased body temperature, inability to walk, lethargy, and nervous system problems. Other nuts, such as almonds and pecans, are not toxic but should still be avoided. They can block the esophagus or tear the windpipe if not chewed completely.
Raw Meat and Eggs
Raw meat and eggs may contain harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli, which can make your dog sick. Additionally, raw eggs contain an enzyme called avidin, which can interfere with the absorption of B vitamins, leading to skin and coat problems. Always cook meat and eggs thoroughly before feeding them to your dog.
When preparing meals for your dog, it's important to prioritize their unique nutritional requirements, which can vary depending on their age, size, health, and breed. Consult with your veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist to ensure that your dog's diet is complete and balanced.
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Frequently asked questions
An all-natural diet for dogs is also known as a raw diet or BARF diet (BF). Dogs have digestive systems that are designed to eat raw food, and raw food diets can be a healthy way to feed your dog. A raw diet can include raw meat, bones, and the vegetable matter that is found in the stomach of prey animals.
A homemade dog diet should contain a balance of protein, carbohydrates, fibre, and fat. Vitamins and minerals should also be added to ensure the diet is complete and balanced. At least 10% protein, such as chicken, turkey, or fish; up to 50% carbohydrates, such as rice, pasta, and potatoes; about 2.5-4.5% fibre, which can come from vegetables; and at least 5.5% fat, usually in the form of vegetable oil.
There are many natural foods that are toxic to dogs and should be avoided, such as garlic, onions, grapes, raisins, chocolate, and avocado. Animal bones can also be dangerous as cooked bones can splinter and cause a choking hazard.
Discuss any dietary changes with your veterinarian and/or a veterinary nutritionist. You should gradually introduce the new food over at least five to seven days, mixing it with the old food and slowly increasing the amount of new food.
