Many dog owners today choose to feed their furry companions home-cooked meals. Just like they choose to eat organic food, free of harmful chemicals, they want the same for their pets, plus it’s usually more economical. So, no matter why you want to feed your dog home-cooked meals, here’s how you can properly do it.

Variety is important

It’s a common misconception that dogs only eat protein. Dogs, just like humans, require a variety of different foods in their diet to stay healthy and fit. Dogs who only eat protein can lack important vitamins and start suffering from different deficiencies and health problems. But, on the other hand, if they don’t eat enough protein, they can also suffer from poor immunity, muscle and blood problems. All in all, if you want your dog to be healthy and strong, you must feed them a balanced diet. Even though every dog is different and has different preferences and needs, most of the vets recommend a diet that consists of protein, vegetables and starch.

Proteins are a must

No matter what your dietary habits are, your dog shouldn’t be a vegetarian. They should eat meat in order to be in top shape. However, even though most people think dogs only eat beef, there are actually many other protein possibilities for them. Any meat or organ is good for the dog, but most owners usually opt for chicken and turkey because it’s affordable, easy to find and easy to digest. Other options are beef, lamb and fish. You can feed your dogs fish, but not more than twice a week. Dogs can also eat beans and eggs but in moderation.

Add healthy veggies

Aside from meat, your dog should also eat veggies. They can safely eat most vegetables but there are some that should be avoided. For instance, you can feed your dog carrots, broccoli and cauliflower (even though they cause gas), peas, celery, cucumber, pumpkin and green leaves.

Carbs for good digestion

Carbs not only contain important vitamins but also provide fibre for good digestion. Your dogs can safely eat rice (especially brown rice), cooked potatoes, non-salted pasta, yams and oatmeal.

Preparation

The preparation of dog food is very simple. You can feed your dog boneless meat either raw or cooked. However, if there are bones, they must always be given raw. Veggies can be either lightly cooked or pureed, but starchy carbs should always be cooked. You can prepare your dog’s meals on your Frigidaire range in your kitchen, and you only need one or two pots.

What to avoid

While they can eat a wide variety of foods, there are some that are dangerous and even deadly to dogs. Never feed your dogs chocolate, onions, grapes and raisins, avocados, coffee and walnuts. There are other foods hazardous to dogs, but these are the most common in every household.

Of course, you don’t have to cook for your pup every day if you don’t have time, but home-cooked meals offer a great and healthy alternative to kibble and canned food, so give it a try.

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