Addressing Pet Food Sensitivities with Homemade Diets

Because so many pets are having issues with commercially prepared foods, more and more owners are taking control by making their pet’s food. Let’s talk about some of the Do’s and Don’ts.

Benefits of Homemade Diets:

  • Complete control over quality of ingredients
  • No mystery ingredients
  • Fresh ingredients support optimum health
  • Minimally processed
  • Ingredients can be rotated for variety
  • Ability to prepare large batches and freeze for convenient, single serve quantities
  • No worries about pet recalls

Steer clear of ingredients known to cause issues or intolerances. For dogs, the main offenders to avoid: corn and cornstarch, cow dairy, soy, wheat and glutens.

Dogs typically respond well to: Buffalo or Bison, Goat and Goat Dairy, Lamb and Sheep Dairy, Pork, Rabbit, Turkey, Venison, Sardines, wild caught Alaskan Salmon, Pollack, Catfish, Tilapia.

Use grass-fed animal proteins. Avoid Shellfish, Tuna, Swordfish, Tilefish.

Opt for wild caught fish.

Vegetables that dogs typically respond well to are: Kale, Green Beans, Broccoli, Bok Choy, Zucchini, Celery, Lettuce, Mustard Greens, Spinach.

Steer clear of high carb items such as: Rice, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Pasta and Bananas.

High carb based foods equal sugar, which converts to yeast in dogs.

A carb treat here and there isn’t going to hurt them, but I don’t recommend feeding on a regular basis.

To pump up the protein, you can include Eggs, Quail Eggs (preferably organic), Goat or Sheep Milk, Cheese or Yogurt (they are also a great probiotic for maintaining good gut health).

We’ll talk about other add-ons, supplements, feeding bones and organs, so stay tuned! We want to ensure your pet has a formulated and nutritionally balanced meal plan in place.

We want to ensure your pet has a formulated and nutritionally balanced meal plan in place.

Homemade Fruit Jerky
To make homemade fruit jerky, which is good and safe for dogs and kids alike, use the following:
We bought this organic frozen fruit blend of blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries and kale from our local Costco (food warehouse). We used the whole bag, added 1/3 C. of honey and blended it until pourable.
Using a square metal pan lined with parchment paper, or a silicone baking sheet, pour in the blend.

If using a stove, bake at 225˚ F for 6 – 8 hours until a fruit roll-up consistency. It should not come off on your fingers when touched – if it does, bake longer. I preferred using the stove over the dehydrator because it was a liquid and did better in the stove. When done, remove, let cool, cut and enjoy!

Homemade treats for your pet don’t get any better than this! Full of anti-oxidants and so yummy!