Making your own pet food can be especially good for pets with allergies and special health needs, and this option is a good way to avoid any risk of contamination in commercial blends.
Yet homemade pet food can also be time intensive and the process comes with its own set of complications. This is because animals are very different from humans and therefore, what you feed your family probably won't be an appropriate choice for your pet's unique circumstances.
As a result, you'll need to do some research to be sure that the food you make has all of the right ingredients necessary to meet your pet's nutritional needs. Otherwise, your best intentions could leave your dog or cat experiencing some unexpected health problems later on.
What's in Homemade Dog Food and Homemade Cat Food?
When cooking homemade pet food, you'll need to include the following main components:
- Protein
- Carbohydrates
- Vitamins and minerals
- Fat
Examples of these combinations are meat and potatoes, chicken and pasta, or lamb and rice. You'll also want to add vegetables to your pet food. Just be sure to avoid onion and garlic for dogs, since these ingredients can be toxic to animals.
Researching Homemade Food for Dogs and Cats
You can find numerous recipes from respected veterinary nutritionists online or in pet cookbooks that meet these guidelines, or you can ask your veterinarian to recommend some recipes that will be a good fit for your animal.
Just realize that exactly what your dog or cat will require can vary depending on his age, size, and health status. So stay in close touch with your vet and modify your homemade pet food recipes as needed.
Don't Forget the Supplements
It's also crucial to know that whatever you cook, your animal will need to take nutritional supplements to fill in any gaps. This is because commercial pet foods are packed with vitamins animals need to thrive.
Other Homemade Dog Food and Homemade Cat Food Options
If you like the idea of providing fresh food for your pet but find the commitment daunting, remember that it doesn't have to be an all or nothing proposition. If your vet gives the okay, you can also buy high-quality commercial pet food and add in small amounts of fresh meats, vegetables, and starches. Just remember to watch portion size (obesity is a particularly big concern for cats) and make sure that any dietary changes you make for your pet are done gradually to allow his stomach to adjust properly.
Sources:
Besteni, Barbara. "Diet Choices Can Keep Pets Healthy, Happy." Lifewhile.com. 2010. Web. 28 May 2012.
http://www.lifewhile.com/pets/13096826/detail.html
Lee, Justine. "Healthy Pet Food: Feeding Time." Prevention.com. Nov. 2011. Web. 28 May 2012.
http://www.prevention.com/health/healthy-living/healthy-pet-food
