If you have a puppy you want to make sure he is not only happy but also healthy. Buying special toys, a warm puppy bed and maybe even a bowl with his name on it shows your affection for your new pet. Taking him for regular check ups and keeping him up to date on shots is one way to ensure health, but what if you also want to ensure a good diet by making the food yourself at home?
Benefits
There are many benefits to homemade dog food. Since you are the one who is making the food, you know exactly what ingredients are in it and you can tailor it to meet any special needs your dog may have. Often times chemicals are added to commercial dog foods to improve its taste and stability. Many of these additives provide little to no nutritional value. You can avoid all of the poor commercial dog food ingredients, as well as the unknown, if you make your own dog food.
Ingredients
Protein is an essential ingredient in a dog's diet. Some proteins that are excellent choices to include are: skinless chicken, turkey, hard-boiled eggs, salmon and even pork loin. You can also add in cottage cheese or tofu, as they are good sources of protein as well.
You need a good mix of vitamins and minerals added to the protein, and this is where vegetables come in. Keep in mind that dogs barely chew their food so if you chose to add a vegetables such as peas, carrots or celery be sure to run them through a food processor first to ensure the vitamins and minerals are properly absorbed into your dog's digestive system.
Puppy Diet
It is best to start your puppy on a healthy homemade diet as soon as you can. Introduce the diet slowly. A quick change of food can upset its digestive tract. You may also incorporate vitamin supplements and fatty oils to help boost nutrition. To add some flavor use a small amount of chicken or beef broth when making the food. Be sure to speak to a veterinarian regarding what you plan to feed your puppy, as he or she will be able to verify if the diet you chose is well balanced so your puppy does not to become malnourished.
Tags: making food, your puppy, Puppy Diet, vitamins minerals