Why are home-cooked dog meals a healthier option?

Ensuring that your beloved canine is always happy and healthy is very important for many pet owners. Home-cooked dog meals are a healthier option because they provide your furry friends with lots of vitamins and minerals which can help to promote shiny fur growth. Steamed vegetables can also be a very healthy addition. Both wet and dry commercial dog food can be found at pretty much any pet supply store and be fairly accessible however it may contain unhealthy or unnecessary ingredients such as corn and salt which can cause them to have an upset stomach and even bloat. Bloating is when your furry companion eats/digests something it shouldn’t that causes its stomach to become very gassy; this can be very fatal in any animal, especially certain dogs due to their sensitive stomach. Cooking meals for your dog can help with managing a proper diet, and it’s also very appealing to picky eaters, and it can increasingly expand your bond with your beloved canine. Preparing your dog’s own meal/diet ensures that you know what you are putting into your dog’s food, easing the worry about what may be added in many commercial dog brands. This can also be a great option for owners with highly allergenic canines because they can keep track of the ingredients their dog is consuming. However, be advised that cooked chicken bones can break easily and if swallowed by your canine can lead to serious illnesses including death which can be fairly fatal. So be sure to do proper research on anything you are unsure about giving your dog. You can also consult your licensed veterinarian for the most proper and accurate advice. 

Protein options that you can feed your dog

Protein is one of the most important parts of your dog’s proper diet. There is a large variety of protein options for dogs including meat, fish, and seafood. Many pet owners may assume that any meat is safe for dogs since they are omnivores meaning that they can eat both plants and meat, however, some meats and veggies may not be safe for your pup/dog due to allergies and other reasons. Due to the fact that dogs can eat vegetables, some dog owners may decide to keep their dogs on a vegan diet due to their eating habits. Some vegan/vegetarian protein options may be cooked, edamame, tofu, beans, and eggs can be a great source of meatless proteins for dogs. However in this case you should be considerate and careful to make sure you provide your dog with the proper nutrition they need. When feeding seafood to your dog you should make sure that it is fully washed and cooked prior to feeding it to them. Seafood options can include clams, mussels, codfish, salmon, tuna, shrimp, lobsters, crabs, squids, and oysters. After preparation is sure to remove all of the shells before allowing your dog to consume them because it may get stuck in their esophagus which can cause major health concerns leading to death. You should also clean the cooked seafood after unshelling it to wash off/remove any excess salt. Meat options for dogs can be chicken, turkey, pork, beef, and lamb. For both seafood and any type of meat, it’s best to boil it in a pot of filtered water and then cut it up into bite-size pieces for your furry friend. If you have a very old canine with teeth problems due to age/health concerns you should puree it to make it easier for them to digest. 

Grains and Vegetables

Grain options for dogs include white rice, whole grain rice, purple rice, jasmine rice, etc. However, be aware that glutinous rice is unsafe for dogs due to its stickiness and may cause serious complications during digestion. Veggie wise be aware of any spices such as salt, black peppers, chili peppers, garlic, and onions. Green onions, scallions, etc. Spices should never be fed to your [et because it can lead to serious death. Grapes and any type of acidic fruit like pineapples and lemons, and citruses should also not be fed to dogs. Chocolate is very toxic and deadly to dogs. Safe vegetables for dogs include carrots, broccoli, cucumber, lettuce, cauliflower, etc. Fruits safe for dogs are apples, mangoes, watermelons, and peaches. Seeds or pits should be removed prior to feeding.  However, you should always consult your veterinarian before feeding your dog. 

Healthy Meal Recipe for Canines

Step 1: Prepare all your ingredients

• Proteins of your choice( lamb, beef, pork, chicken, salmon, tofu, eggs, etc.)

• Vegetables( carrots, broccoli, lettuce, cauliflower, celery, etc.)

• Grains

• Fruits optional( apple, mangoes, coconut)
• Crushed peanuts(unsalted), coconut flakes, salmon oil

Step 2: Cut all of your ingredients into bite-size pieces depending on your dog’s size. Be sure to remove all fruit and vegetable peels. Cut up your protein into bite-size pieces as well. Remove any shells if any.

Step 2: Place all of your proteins and veggies and any extras such as peanuts, coconut flakes, and salmon oil in a pot and steam it in a pressure cooker or steamer. If there is any soup left over you can add it to everything later.

Step 3: Then place your choice of grain in the steamer until it is nice and soft.

Step 4: Then stir fry everything and add a little bit of salmon oil.