The raw food diet is becoming more popular among pet owners searching for the healthiest and most nutritious option for their canine companions. You will need to do extensive research about proper handling and preparation of raw dog food, and discuss the diet change with your veterinarian. If you decide that this is an appropriate diet for you dog, this cheap raw dog food recipe is a good place to start.
The raw diet is quite controversial, with opinions mixed on whether or not the diet is safe or if it could lead to diseases caused by the bacteria in the raw food. Raw eating is based on the natural diet of our dogs’ ancestors, which consisted of the prey they caught and the stomach contents of those animals.
I can not say if the raw diet is going to be beneficial for your dog, and neither can anyone else on the internet. It's very important that you schedule an appointment to speak with your veterinarian about this switch, if it's something that you're considering.
Better yet, meeting with a trained canine nutritionist to discuss this change in diet would ensure you make the best choice for your dog.
If the expert that you consult recommends the raw dog food diet for your pet, they will also help you to create a customized dietary plan that will meet your dog's specific nutritional needs. They will be able to explain the best protein choices for your pup and tell you how to create the best recipes on your own. It's also likely that they will recommend adding supplements or a multi-vitamin to the recipes to meet your dog's nutritional needs.
Working with an expert that is trained in canine nutrition is imperative, because they will evaluate your pooch and discuss the proper amounts of protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals and other important nutrients that your dog's diet should include. This information is different for every dog depending on his breed, age, weight, overall state of health, activity level and other variables.
As I mentioned, this cheap raw dog food recipe is just a starting point. This is a very basic recipe, and it's likely that your vet will recommend adding additional supplements or possibly a multi-vitamin supplement to incorporate all of the nutrients that your dog needs. They may also recommend feeding a variety of different recipes that include different nutrients to balance your pet's diet.
MORE: READ NEXT: Raw Diet for Dogs 101 – The Ultimate Guide
Cheap Raw Dog Food Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. chicken thighs (with bones)
- 1/2 lb. chicken livers
- 1/2 lb. dog friendly vegetables
- 1 egg with shell
Directions
As with all raw dog food recipes, this is extremely simple to make. Because it requires no cooking, all you have to do is shred all of the ingredients in your food processor. It really is that easy!
I like putting everything in the food processor. It's simple for me and makes this food easy for any dog to eat. If your dog has dental health problems, he'll have no problem consuming this cheap raw dog food recipe.
If you'd like the ingredients to be cut into bigger pieces, you can mince the chicken thighs and chop the vegetables and chicken livers into small pieces. Then, just mix all of the ingredients together in a large mixing bowl.
The most difficult thing about feeding this homemade raw dog food recipe is figuring out the proper serving size for your pet. This is where the help of a canine nutritionist or veterinarian will prove to be very helpful.
The general guideline for a serving size of this recipe is about 1/2 cup of food for every 20 pounds of body weight. Because raw dog food is so high in nutrient content and does not include any fillers or unnecessary additives, you don't need to feed as large of a quantity as you do with commercial dog food recipes.
Just be sure to talk to a professional before deciding on the right serving size. Dogs with a higher metabolism and dogs that are very active will need more food per serving than older and less active pets. This recipe won't provide balanced nutrition for all dogs, so you'll likely need to add supplements to make it balanced for your pooch.
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