Homemade Pet Food

Not long ago, pets were fed leftovers from the family table or treated to homemade stew. After World War II, however, packaged pet food quickly took precedence over homemade pet food due to its convenience in storing, handling and serving.

Times have changed in the wake of several recent pet food recalls, there is a renewed interest in making homemade pet food once more.

Why Should I Feed My Pet Homemade Pet Food?

While prepackaged pet food may be convenient, it often falls short of delivering sound nutrition, despite claims made by aggressive advertising campaigns. There is also evidence that commercial pet food may be harmful to pets. For one thing, most ordinary pet foods contain synthetic agents with known health implications. For another, most formulas contain an excessive amount of grains that increase the risk of bacterial and fungal contamination.

There is yet another good reason to feed your pet homemade pet food: cost. Most pet owners are pleasantly surprised to discover that it’s actually less expensive than buying commercial pet food.

The Basics of Making Homemade Pet Food

Learning to make homemade pet food does not have to be a daunting or complicated process. By adhering to some basic guidelines, you can easily prepare homemade pet food that is both appealing and nutritionally complete for your pet.

• Make every effort to obtain certified organic ingredients.
• Homemade pet food for both cats and dogs should include ground bones, if at all possible. Ask your butcher to grind them with the meat, or do this yourself at home with a meat grinder. Alternatively, you may add ground bone meal.
• The preferred method of feeding meat is in a raw state. However, if you feel that you must cook meat before feeding it to your pet, then be sure to cook it lightly or just until very warm.
• Store unused portions in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

The Nutritional Requirements of Dogs

• 40% meat, including beef, chicken, turkey, fish and organ meats, such as liver and kidneys.
• 30% vegetables -- almost anything your dog will tolerate, but dogs are notorious for loving carrots. Other suitable vegetables include spinach, beans (in moderation), cabbage (ditto), peas and sweet potato.
• 30% carbohydrates in the form of whole grains, oats and rice.
• Small amounts of cultured dairy products, such as yogurt, cottage cheese and buttermilk.

Things to be aware of:

• Avoid corn, soybean, grapes, raisins, mushrooms and onions.
• Brewer’s yeast is a popular additive to homemade pet food, but may cause an allergic reaction in some dogs.
• The addition of small amounts of crushed eggshells adds nutrients.

Sample meal combinations:

• Turkey, carrots, brown rice, beef or chicken broth to blend
• Chicken, peas, rice, chicken broth to blend
• Beef, chopped boiled egg, mixed vegetables, cottage cheese

The Nutritional Requirements of Cats

• At least 75% meat (cats need about five times more protein than dogs and far less vegetables and starch).
• Small amounts of vegetables and cultured dairy products, such as yogurt and cottage cheese.

Things to be aware of:

• Feed liver in moderation and not at all if giving vitamin A supplements.
• Limit canned tuna due to possible mercury contamination.
• Give egg yolks raw, but cook egg whites.

Sample meal combinations:

• Chicken, cottage cheese, wild salmon oil, water to blend
• Chicken livers and/or kidneys, raw egg yolk (about 2), small amount of minced spinach, water to blend
• Beef, fish oil, small amount of rice, broth to blend.