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In a time where there is a growing awareness that the quality of our food has a profound impact on our overall well-being, it’s no surprise that more and more pet owners are greatly interested in giving their pets a diet that stands above the rest. This is why so many pet parents are now looking into making food for their dogs at home.
Just as we strive to make healthier choices for ourselves and our families, many dog lovers are taking the extra step to ensure that their pets get the very best food. But the perks of making your dog’s food at home don’t end there!
Not only can homemade dog food diets better support their health, but you can often save money while getting more bang for your buck. Then, it’s a fantastic way to spice up your dog’s diet!
Because when your dog has the option to eat a range of foods vs. the same food day in and day out, based on how much they always want what we’re eating, we have the sneaking suspicion they’ll choose the former.
Why Make Your Dog’s Food At Home
From uncertain ingredients to the skyrocketing cost of commercial pet foods to giving our dogs’ health the support they deserve, making your dog’s food at home, especially, when you’re feeding the right foods, offers many advantages to both your dog and you.
Cost
From taking advantage of grocery store deals to buying foods in bulk, creating your dog’s food at home can save you a lot of money. Especially if you’re already paying for expensive high-quality commercial food. To find out just how much a home food maker like ChefPaw can save, check out our savings calculator.
Nutritional Benefits
With care, making your dog’s food for them at home can support their health and nutrition in ways most commercial foods simply can’t. From harsh cooking practices i.e., high temperatures to fillers that lack essential vitamins and minerals, commercial foods are often failing to provide our dogs with a complete and balanced diet.
We know that’s hard for many pet parents to hear. It was for us as well. That’s why we’ve been working relentlessly to give pet parents an unparalleled option with ChefPaw, the homemade dog food maker.
You Know All The Ingredients
From unfamiliar byproducts to ingredients missing from the label, it’s incredibly difficult, if not impossible, to know for certain what’s all in your dog’s commercial food. That’s not a thing when you’re making your dog’s food at home. And you don’t need complex or foreign ingredients either, as most of the foods that are staples to a good diet for us are the same for our dogs.
Best Homemade Dog Food Diet?
After you have decided that you would like to start making your dog’s food at home, it’s time to decide which homemade dog food diet is best.
There is the raw diet, which consists mainly of proteins and fats such as various meats, including organ meat along with raw eggs, yogurt, etc. Then there is the fresh diet that expands on the raw diet by adding in more vegetables and human-grade foods, allowing it to mimic a diet that’s very similar to the optional one for us. Then, where there is little cooking involved with a raw diet, a fresh diet slowly and gently cooks most, if not all, of the ingredients.
So which is better raw vs. fresh? In our opinion, giving your dog fresh food that’s been prepared right beats a raw diet every time.
A fresh diet is rich in various vegetables, proteins, and grains that offer a greater range of vitamins and minerals. Nutritional deficiencies are commonly seen in raw diets due to the limited range of foods. Additionally, cooking food often makes them easier to digest, allowing for greater nutrient absorption.
Then bones are a staple in raw diets, but most bones are just a little too hard for our dogs to regularly chew and can lead to dental fractures. Ones that aren’t often easily splinter, making them a choking hazard that can additionally cause gastrointestinal blockages and perforations.
Even when you put together a perfectly calculated raw meal for your dog, bacteria and parasites are always going to be a concern.
A Few Examples Of Fresh Dog Food Meals ChefPaw Can Create
ChefPaw gives you the ability to easily create custom recipes and modify its suggested recipes. Let’s take a look at a few of those suggested recipes, and how ChefPaw gives you the ability to fine-tune meals to your dog’s personal needs.
Adult Meals
This meal is perfect for most dogs 1 year and older. It supports the foundation of their health while including a few supplements for preventive health and long-term wellness.
Recipe Example: Active Dog with Beef and Rice
Contains: Ground Beef (20% Fat), Rice, Broccoli, Canned Pumpkin, Egg, Blueberry, Green Beans, Honey, ChefPaw Dietary Supplement, Innovet Wild Alaskan Salmon and Hemp Oil, and Water
Puppy Plates
To help support their rapid growth and endless energy, puppies need specific nutrients that not only support their growing bones, muscles, and joints but also their brain.
Recipe Example: Puppy Dog with Beef and Rice
Contains: Ground Beef (10% Fat), Rice, Spinach, Canned Pumpkin, Carrot, Green Beans, Egg, ChefPaw Dietary Supplement, Innovet Wild Alaskan Salmon and Hemp Oil, and Water
Senior Dishes
Just like us, when our dogs age their metabolisms slow down, leaving them susceptible to weight gain that can exacerbate joint and mobility issues among others. This next recipe is fortified with antioxidants for immune and joint health while having fewer calories to accommodate their new metabolism.
Recipe Example: Senior Dog with Turkey and Rice
Contains: Ground Turkey (15% Fat), Rice, Carrot, Broccoli, Spinach, Canned Pumpkin Blueberry, Honey, ChefPaw Dietary Supplement, Innovet Wild Alaskan Salmon and Hemp Oil, and Water
Specialty Section
There is a long list of health reasons why a dog might require a specialty diet. Specialty commercial foods are often incredibly costly. Not only because they have higher price points, but because sometimes you’ll quickly see a certain type isn’t right for your dog, leaving you with more food you no longer need. ChefPaw can create batches and individual meals.
Let’s look at a few different recipes you can create at home and how they can support a dog that requires a specialty diet. Don’t see a recipe that supports your dog’s unique needs? No worries, not only does ChefPaw provide several more suggested recipes, but it also connects you to veterinarian nutritionists who will create custom recipes based on your dog’s exact needs.
Novel Protein + Allergy Free:
By utilizing unique proteins to avoid common allergens, this is one of many meal examples ChefPaw can create that supports a dog struggling with allergies, especially to common meat allergies like chicken and beef.
Recipe Example: Novel Bison Protein & Rice
Contains: Grass Fed Bison, Rice, Broccoli, Carrot, Spinach, Canned Pumpkin, Apple, Honey, ChefPaw Dietary Supplement, Innovet Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil, and Water
Allergy Free:
Our next recipe expands upon our last one by eliminating all the usual allergy suspects (soy, wheat, and certain meats).
Recipe Example: Allergy Care with Turkey & Sweet Potato
Contains: Ground Turkey (15% Fat), Sweet Potato, Broccoli, Spinach, Canned Pumpkin, Apple, Honey, ChefPaw Dietary Supplement, Innovet Wild Alaskan Salmon and Hemp Oil, and Water
Renal & Other:
For dogs struggling with kidney issues, a diet lower in protein and phosphorus is often recommended, and this is exactly what the following recipe provides.
Recipe Example: Sensitive Stomach Blend with Turkey & Rice
Contains: Ground Turkey (15% Fat), Rice, Canned Pumpkin, Honey, ChefPaw Dietary Supplement, Innovet Wild Alaskan Salmon and Hemp Oil, and Water
Final Thoughts
Allergies, missing ingredients, poor-quality ingredients, exorbitant prices, and on, there are so many reasons that more and more dog parents are now making their dog’s food for them at home.
Most pet parents will find homemade dog food rich in fresh and wholesome foods is their best option. Not only for their dogs but also for themselves due to the savings and because giving a dog fresh food promotes a long and healthy life.
I am a pet expert dealing with Cats, Dogs, Birds, Rabbits and Aquarium fish for the last 10 years. Now it is time to share my knowledge with you. I am very passionate about sharing everything that I learned so far about pet care. Watch my Youtube channel Petfather