Your dog is a member of the family and you want him to eat right.You shouldn't assume that you can just feed your dog whatever you're eating.It's important to understand what makes a balanced diet for your dog.Make and feed your dog delicious home-cooked meals once you understand the proper nutrition.
Step 1: Understand the difference between a domesticated dog and a wild dog.
In the wild, wolves and wild dogs can survive without balanced meals.Their lifespan is shorter.They eat differently than your dog does.Dogs in the wild are known to eat organs like the brain, and the contents of the guts.This makes for a more complex nutrition than simply feeding meat and rice from the store.It can take years for the problems to appear if you feed your dog an unbalanced diet.The micro-nutrition that are lacking are the vitamins and minerals.A dog with long term calcium deficiency may get a fractured leg if he doesn't get enough calcium in his diet.
Step 2: The diet can be created with professional help.
You can't just look at the recipes that look good.Since there is no "one size fits all" option for canine nutrition, you'll need to feed a diet that's been designed for your individual dog by a doctor of animal nutrition.A growing puppy needs up to double the calories per pound of body weight of an adult, while a senior dog needs 20% less.Basic diet, even those designed by veterinarians, often lack nutrition.The 200 recipes analyzed were created by veterinarians.Most of the recipes were deficient in one area of nutrition.
Step 3: It's a good idea to learn to prepare the food.
Once you have a specific recipe for your dog's food, process it to maintain vitamins and minerals.Follow the directions exactly.Chicken plus the skin is what it means if the recipe states that.The fat balance could be thrown out if the skin is removed.You should use a kitchen scale rather than cups to weigh the ingredients.Don't over boil veggies.Try to serve them partially raw in order to preserve vitamins.Don't substitute ingredients.The balance of nutrition can be thrown off by these.
Step 4: You can add calcium to your dog's diet.
While you can give your dog a bone, there are health risks.The lining of the bowels can be scratched and bones can splinter.You can add calcium carbonate, calcium citrate, or eggshell to a fine powder.A 33 pound adult dog needs half a gram of calcium carbonate a day.Blocks that need surgical removal can be caused by bones in the gut.It's difficult to know when the dog has gotten enough calcium from his bones.
Step 5: It's a good idea to include the protein.
A 33 pound adult dog needs a minimum of 25 grams (0.88 oz) of pure protein a day.This can include egg, which has a high amount of the essential amino acids required by dogs, followed by meat from chicken, lamb, or turkey.It is possible to supplement the diet with high-quality vegetarian sources.A minimum of 10% of your dog's diet should come from quality meat.There are small building blocks called amino acids.Dogs can't make their own 10 amino acids and must be supplied with them in their diet.
Step 6: Add some fats.
A 33 pound adult dog needs at least 14 grams of fat a day.Adding meat or chicken skin to your dog's diet can make him fat.5% of your dog's diet should come from fats.It is essential for good health to have fat-soluble vitamins.They play a role in the creation of new cells.
Step 7: Carbohydrates are included.
Most of your dog's calories should come from sugars.Half of your dog's diet should come from sugars.An active 30 pound dog needs a lot of calories.To make sure he's getting them, include wheat, rice, oats, and barley in his diet.Some of the energy comes fromCarbohydrates and some from fat.They give fiber for the health of the gut.
Step 8: Minerals should be included.
Dogs need a few things.Weak bones prone to fracturing, anemia, or poor nerve conduction are some of the problems that can be caused by mineral deficiencies.It is important to research the minerals in different foods to make sure your dog's diet is getting enough of each.Try to include the following high-mineral vegetables in your dog's diet.
Step 9: Add vitamins.
Vitamins are part of your dog's diet.Poor immune systems and susceptibility to infections can be caused by a deficiency of vitamins.A variety of vegetables can be found since vitamins are found in many foods.Some dogs don't like the taste of green vegetables and leave them, but they are a good source of vitamins and minerals.There is a risk of the dog becoming flatulent, but green vegetables can be served raw.If you cook vegetables too much they will destroy the vitamins.If you don't normally eat raw vegetables, they should always be cooked to make them easier to digest.
Step 10: Do you know how much to feed your dog?
To keep your dog from becoming overweight or losing weight, you need to know how many calories he needs.The dog's calories are not a linear arrangement.A 40 pound dog doesn't need as many calories as a 20 pound one just because he's two pounds heavier.Basic daily calories requirements for dogs can be found on several charts.A general idea of how many calories your dog needs will be given by that.Once you've found a general guideline for your dog's weight, take into consideration any lifestyle differences that need to be adjusted.An older neutered 10 pound dog only needs 349 calories while a puppy under 4 months old requires 654 calories.
Step 11: Certain foods can be toxic to dogs.
Many people know that chocolate is harmful to dogs.There are some foods that are toxic to dogs.If you're trying out a new recipe, make sure it's safe for your dog.Don't feed your dog: grapes, onions, garlic, tomato, chocolate, yeast, and nuts.
Step 12: If you run out of food, have a backup plan.
If you cook for your dog every 4 to 5 days, you won't have any major problems.It is possible to run out of food or have a dog with a stomach ache.A home-prepared diet of chicken and rice is gentle on the bowels and serves as a short-term solution when you run out of regular food.Don't feed a chicken and rice diet in the long term since it's lacking in vitamins and minerals.Chicken and rice can be prepared with 1 cup of boiled chicken breast meat mixed with 2 to 3 cups of white rice.It's not a good idea to add fat or oil to the chicken.Use your judgement and give a similar amount of food to what you normally give.Chicken and rice can be found in a cup for every 10 pound body weight.