There’s really no problem with feeding your dog homemade dog food, as long as you do it right. The problem is that it’s hard to do it right. Unless you’re truly dedicated, have the money to afford the ingredients, and understand your dog’s nutritional needs and how to balance the ingredients properly, you’re probably better off buying high quality commercial dog food.
Dogs descended from wolves and originally they were carnivores, primarily eating meat. Now, however, after 15,000 to 30,000 years of domestication, dogs have evolved into omnivores that are able to digest both meat and plant matter. Sound familiar? People are omnivores too.
Dogs still prefer eating meat and meat-based foods, but if supplemented properly with amino acids and various other essential nutrients, a dog can eat a diet high in plant-based proteins. And this brings us back to homemade dog food. Is it a good idea?
As mentioned above, in order to do a good job making your own dog food, you have to understand your dog’s nutritional needs and how to balance the ingredients properly. You also have to have the time and dedication to prepare the food yourself. If you do happen to possess all those characteristics, the dog food you make yourself can be tasty and just as nutritious as commercial dog food – maybe even better. And you, not some company that imports them from China, would be in control of all the ingredients.
You’ll find dozens of recipes for homemade dog food and homemade treats if you search online. A wide range of meats, fruits, grains, veggies and seeds can be used as ingredients. Just keep in mind that certain foods are fine for people but toxic to dogs. Among others, they include raisins, grapes, chocolate, onions, avocado, tomatoes and macadamia nuts. Some dogs love some of these foods, but avoid them scrupulously for your dog’s sake.