Do you worry about what you feed your dog? What our canine companions ingest every day can have a direct effect on their health and well-being. If you’re thinking about providing a raw dog food diet to your pup, you may not know where to start. This article will discuss how you can make your very own raw dog food diet at home and provide you with a few recipes to get you started.
The Basics of Making Your Own Raw Dog Food
Feeding your dog raw food isn’t just about providing your dog with raw food. It’s about recreating a balanced, nutritional diet that will allow your dog the thrive.
DIY Dog Food Ratios and Formulas To Follow
When creating a raw diet for your dog, it’s essential to follow the 5:1:1 ratio. This ratio represents the healthy proportion of lean meat: organ meat: cooked vegetables. Your dog’s diet should consist of 5 parts lean muscle meat mixed with bone or cartilage, 1 part organ meat, and 1 part cooked vegetables.
Lean Meat
The diet of wild canines is mostly meat, and it’s the same for your wild pup. However, when creating a raw diet, it’s important to focus on lean meats and avoid fatty ones. The best lean meats are chicken, turkey, duck, and beef.
Fish
Fish is an excellent source of protein for your dog. The fish oil contains beneficial omega fatty acids too, which keep your dog’s skin and coat healthy and shiny. Before feeding fish to your dog, make sure you freeze it first; this method will kill bacteria or parasites.
Bone and Cartilage
In addition to meat, your dog must ingest bone and cartilage as a source of calcium and phosphorous. Feed your dog intact, uncooked bones so that they do not splinter in your dog’s digestive tract. Chicken wings, turkey legs, tail bones, and necks are all great sources of calcium. Eggs are also an egg-cellent choice!
Organs
Wild dogs tend to eat all parts of their kill, including the organs. Organs are densely packed with vitamins and minerals; they should be included in any raw dog food diet. The best organs to feed your dog are livers, hearts, brains, kidneys, and spleens.
Fruits and Vegetables
While fruits and vegetables aren’t necessary to a dog’s diet, they’re a great source of fiber, probiotics, and antioxidants that can keep your dog’s digestive system functioning optimally.
5 Raw Dog Food Recipes You Can Make Yourself
Raw dog food recipes are a great way to give your dog a healthy, nutritious meal. These recipes create large servings that can last you quite some time. Mix the ingredients in each recipe well and store it in the freezer.
Your Basic Raw Dog Food Recipe
If you want a simple and easy recipe that will last a long time and is easy to prepare, try this one; it will make 30 pounds of dog food. We recommend separating this diet into daily portions and storing them in the freezer.
Ingredients
- 22 lbs minced meat with bone
- 4.5 lbs organs
- 4.5 lbs cooked vegetables
Optional addition: 6 whole raw eggs, 3 tablespoons of oil, or kelp powder.
Instructions
- Cut the meat and organs into bite-sized pieces and place them in a large mixing tub.
- Cook the vegetables until they are soft. Allow the veggies to cool completely before adding them to the meat.
- Add any additions.
- Mix everything by hand or with a large spoon. Make sure to wear gloves. Separate into daily portions and freeze.
Raw Dog Food With Fish Fillets
Fish is an incredible ingredient for raw dog food. Dogs can eat most types of fish, but the most common are salmon, pike, herring, flounder, and whitefish. Remember that when preparing fish for your pooch, do not add any seasonings (even salt or pepper) and make sure to only use boneless fillets.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless fish fillets
- 2 cans pink salmon
- 8 oz beef liver
- 3 eggs
- 10 ½ oz mixed vegetables
- 2 tablespoons kelp powder
- 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- Chop vegetables in small pieces and boil until softened
- Allow vegetables to cool
- Grind fish, liver, and vegetables in a meat grinder
- Add in the eggs (and shells) with honey and kelp powder.
Chicken Chop
Chicken is a popular choice for raw dog food; it’s cheap and easy to find. For this recipe, we use the most inexpensive parts of the chicken to create a diet for your dog.
Ingredients
- 40 lbs chicken necks
- 10 lbs chicken hearts
- 5 lbs chicken livers
- 2 cans pink salmon
- 3 lbs carrots
- 2 apples (deseeded)
- 1 beet
- ½ bunch red cabbage
- ½ bunch fresh spinach
Instructions
- Cut chicken, fruits, and vegetables into small pieces.
- Lightly cook fruits and vegetables until soft, then let cool.
- Mix all ingredients, then run through a food processor until minced.
- Store mixture in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Turkey and Vegetables
Want to use ground turkey as your protein? Ground turkey does not contain bones or cartilage, which your dog needs in their diet. This fact means that ground turkey is best used as a meal to provide variety, not as an everyday option. Check out this recipe utilizing ground turkey.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground turkey meat
- 2 medium-sized carrots
- ½ zucchini
- 10.5 oz cauliflower
- 10.5 oz broccoli
- 4 oz turkey liver
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Chop the vegetables into small pieces and boil them. Use a food processor to turn them into a mash.
- Chop the liver up into small pieces, then mix the meat and vegetables to create a mince.
Bonus: Raw Dog Food Treats On a Budget
Minced organs are generally cheaper than other meats. Organs are usually grounded together and sold in bulk labeled as “refuse.” While organ sources are more affordable, they don’t contain bones or cartilage, so it’s best to offer it as a treat rather than an everyday meat replacement.
Ingredients
- 4 oz kidneys
- 4 oz gizzards
- 2 tablespoons vegetables
- 4 oz beef hearts
- 4 oz liver
- 1 raw egg
Instructions
- Chop the organs and vegetables into small pieces or use a food processor.
- Mix the meat and veggies in a bowl. Add the raw egg, including the shell.
- Shape the mixture into patties or cakes; use a burger press if you have one.
- Place the patties in the freezer until you’re ready to feed them to your pup.
Will You Feed Your Dog Raw?
Whether or not you feed your dog raw food is up to you. There are countless food options out there for your beloved canine companions. Whether you choose a commercial dog food, a commercial raw dog food, or make your dog’s diet yourself, make sure you research what kind of balanced diet will best suit your dog’s needs. Consult your veterinarian with any dietary questions regarding your favorite furbaby. For information on how much food to feed your pup, check out this article.