The natural food for dogs has become very popular in recent years. These are foods of natural origin, without synthetic additives and with the least possible processing. To do this, some people have started to make their own homemade food. Others prefer to buy the food already prepared from specialized companies, which manufacture food based on nutritional studies.
In this article we tell you why this type of diet is on the rise, what it is and which ones with its benefits and risks. In addition, we give you the keys to start making your own natural food for dogs: quantities, recipes and tips.
Dog feeding
Dogs and wolves undoubtedly belong to the same species (Canis lupus), although they are considered different subspecies. The dog began to be domesticated around 15,000 years ago and, like its wild relative, it is considered a carnivorous animal and its diet must be based on ingredients of animal origin.
However, the diet of dogs should not be equated with that of wolves. Due to domestication, the dogs changed their lifestyle and had to adapt to a diet more similar to that of humans. Thus, they acquired the ability to digest certain nutrients of plant origin [2], which should make up only 30% of their diet, and their need for protein decreased.
Natural dog food or animal feed?
Currently the best-selling feeds usually contain poorly digestible cereals for dogs, such as corn. In addition, it is usual that they constitute the main ingredient, replacing meat. It’s also common for animal-based ingredients to not be certified as safe for human consumption, which means they may contain waste parts such as beaks and legs.
Another characteristic of conventional feed is that they are usually ultra- processed products, which go through a large number of hemispherical processes. As a result, the bioavailability of nutrients decreases and the natural palatability of the food is reduced.
Although there are feed made with natural and quality ingredients, its texture is very different from that of meat and bones. This is important because the natural process of tearing meat helps clean dog teeth and prevents periodontal disease
For these reasons, natural dog food is highly recommended for the health of our best friends.
What natural food can I give my dog?
There are many people who want to take care of and improve the health of their dogs through food. For this reason, many companies have launched into the development of natural food for dogs. This is the case of feed with ingredients of natural origin. However, they are often processed foods, so many people do not consider them healthy.
Another option is cooked natural foods, which we can make at home or buy them already made. By cooking the ingredients, all the pathogens they may have are eliminated, so, in addition to being natural, it is a completely safe food. However, due to the heat, the amount of nutrients such as vitamins may be reduced. For this reason, some people prefer to give their dog’s raw food, known as the BARF diet for dogs.
What is the BARF diet?
BARF natural dog food has become one of the most popular canine foods. Its name comes from the acronym BARF, which in English means “biologically appropriate raw food” or “bones and raw food”. A veterinarian who advocates that dogs, like their ancestors, should only consume raw food.
This type of food is based on raw meat, fish, soft bones and offal mixed with small amounts of vegetables. Compared with processed feed, this type of diet can have positive consequences on the health of dogs, such as improving their intestinal flora. However, there is still not enough scientific evidence to say that it produces other types of improvements.
Barf natural dog food has also been associated with certain health risks for dogs. It is because, often, it is made by inexperienced people, and can cause malnutrition in the animal. Furthermore, improper handling of raw meat has been linked to several bacterial infections and parasitic diseases.
For these reasons, if you do not have enough knowledge to make natural food for dogs, it is best to ask a professional for advice. It is also possible to purchase BARF food already prepared and based on canine nutrition studies.
Amounts of natural dog food
Preparing natural food for dogs is not easy at all, since a large number of factors must be taken into account. Each dog has different nutritional needs that depend on its age, size, muscles, physical activity and health.
In general, a dog in good physical shape and health requires about 81.5 kilo calories per day for each kilogram of body weight. We just have to multiply this number by the weight of our dog and we will have the daily energy that it must consume. Of course, it is important to note that the more physical activity you do, the more calories you will need.
After performing the indicated calculation, we must select the proportions of each type of food. The most important thing is that the main ingredient is of animal origin, assuming between 70 and 80% of the daily food. The remainder corresponds to vegetables suitable for canine consumption, taking into account that there are many prohibited foods for dogs.
How to prepare natural food for dogs?
Most natural dog food made at home is deficient in some nutrients. Therefore, before putting your hands in the dough, it is very important to consult with a professional. The amounts that we are going to indicate here are only indicative.
So, to help you prepare natural food for your dog, we share two simple recipes. Both recipes can be given raw if you have the necessary knowledge. They can also be cooked to eliminate pathogens that may exist in the meat. The most advisable thing, in any case, is to make a large quantity and freeze it to always have it available.
Homemade Turkey Meal Recipe
Turkey meat is very digestive and one of the healthiest. For every 100 grams of food, we should provide the following amounts of ingredients:
- 64 grams of turkey meat
- 15 grams of turkey offal (heart, liver, etc.)
- 1 turkey neck
- 9 grams of carrot
- 5 grams of spinach
- 4 grams of apple
- 2 grams of pumpkin
- 1 gram of olive oil
Chicken and beef homemade food recipe
Mixing different types of meat is also an excellent option. In this way, we will provide more nutrients to our dog’s diet. As in the previous case, these are the amounts for every 100 grams of product:
- 70 grams of chicken meat
- 20 grams of cow viscera
- 5 grams of pumpkin
- 4 grams of beetroot
- 1 gram of olive oil
