Should I Cook for my Dog?

With the recent increased emphasis on healthy, ‘clean’ eating in recent years and, of course, the continuous recall of various pet foods, dog owners are thinking twice about feeding commercial dog foods. As if we don’t have enough to worry about with what we feed our families, we now have the added worry about our dog's diet, too. So, what's a dog owner to do?

 The first step is to do your homework.  There are many things to consider, the biggest factor being ensuring that Fido gets the proper nutrition to keep him healthy and trim. Start with the Internet to get a feel for diet types, then move on to reading a book or two once you narrow down your options. 

Some popular ones:

Barker's Grub by Rudy Edalati

Real Food for Dogs by Arden Moore

Feeding Your Dog for Life by Diane Morgan 

Once you choose a type of diet- this will be based on your pup’s age, activity level, medical conditions, etc.- you’ll have to decide how much time and energy you can realistically devote to cooking for Fido. You’ll find that there are several ‘levels’ of homemade diets, from simple raw meat to the most elaborate concoctions! Then you can start looking at recipes. You’ll need to find more than just one recipe, though, not just because variety is the spice of life, but because it will likely be necessary in order to get the right combination of nutrients. 

So, what are the benefits of cooking for your dog? 

Well, the benefits are endless, the most significant being improved health. If you read the labels of commercial dog foods, you’ll likely see long lists of artificial ingredients, fillers and chemicals. Ingredients are listed in order of volume, meaning that the first ingredient is also the most, followed by the second, third, etc. Carbohydrates are often the main ingredient (more than 50%!)- these include anything with flour, meal, or grain, for example. Unfortunately, dogs do not digest carbohydrates efficiently, which can lead to inflammation within the body. This is not to say that Fido doesn’t need SOME carbohydrates in his diet, just not in place of proteins. Like humans, dogs generally (of course, there are exceptions, such as grain allergy sufferers) benefit from a well-rounded diet. 

A well-balanced, home-cooked diet can provide just that- an ideal balance of all food groups with less carbohydrates and more proteins, making the food easier to digest and keeping the body's immune system from becoming over-reactive. As we all know, an immune system working in overdrive often leads to food allergies, so this is definitely another benefit of cooking for Fido! 

There are several types of homemade diets, including raw and cooked foods, grain-free, vegetable-based, diets mixed with high quality commercial food, and diets that include both raw and cooked bones, just to name a few. There is no ONE diet that is good for all dogs- what is perfect for one may not do the trick for another. This is why variety is so important- constant feeding of one recipe may not supply all the necessary nutrients, but changing food groups and content can help to ensure that Fido is getting ALL of his nutritional needs met. 

Unfortunately, we don’t know exactly what nutrients are needed in a dog's diet. The USDA uses figures to determine only average nutritional values, although studies are ongoing. We do know that a homemade diet should provide variety, balance over time, and calcium.  So, how can we provide these?

The variety can come from feeding proteins (chicken, turkey, beef, fish, eggs, cottage cheese, etc.), some vegetables (green beans, spinach, carrots, etc.), fruit (no grapes or raisins, though, as these are no-nos for Fido!) and some grains (brown rice, barley, sweet potatoes, etc.). Organ meats (liver, kidneys or heart) can also be added in limited quantities at different times. Protein is beneficial to your pup’s immune system, central nervous system and helps to maintain a healthy coat and skin. 

Raw meaty bones are very good for Fido’s teeth and are great sources of calcium. Be sure to research which bones are acceptable- DO NOT feed bones that splinter! Examples of ‘good’ bones include: raw chicken backs and leg quarters, lamb necks and breasts, pork riblets and necks, and chicken and turkey necks (these are smaller, so be aware of the possible choking hazard, especially in larger breeds). If feeding raw bones makes you uncomfortable, you can certainly cook and grind them to mix into the food. 

Another note on raw diets: don’t be afraid of the bacteria from raw foods. Fido’s system is meant to handle bacteria. The bacteria from raw meat will have little, if any, effect on your dog. The same is true for raw eggs, although you can lightly scramble or soft boil them if you prefer. 

What if you don’t have the time to prepare completely homemade meals for your dog? Have no fear, you can still improve his diet by supplementing commercial dry or canned food with fresh ingredients. When adding food, stick to protein instead of carbohydrates as we know that the commercial food is already high enough in grains. You best bets are eggs, meat, fish (canned with bones like salmon, sardines or mackerel), yogurt, cottage cheese. Small amounts of vegetables are also ideal.

Regardless of the amount of time and energy you can devote, everyone has the ability to improve their dog’s diet with just a little research and commitment. Should you decide to switch to (or supplement with) homemade dog food, please do yourself- and your pet!- a favor by educating yourself before you make the attempt. Afterall, if you don’t provide the correct balance of nutrients, you’re not only defeating the purpose, but you’re affecting pocketbook with extra vet bills and most importantly, your pet's health.  Once you get into the swing of things, you and Fido will likely both be happy campers!

Erin Thomas is the owner of Summerville’s Lowcountry Pet Sitters, the area’s premier in-your-home pet care service. For more information, please visit www.LCPetSitters.com or call 843-327-7487.