Ask any expert what the best indicator of a dog's overall health and well-being is, and they will likely tell you it's the condition of his skin and coat.
Proper nutrition, like homemade dog food for dry skin, is the easiest way to improve the condition of his skin and coat.
Feeding the right ingredients will balance the skin's pH and stimulate the production of natural oils.
You may not realize how important it is to keep your dog's skin and coat in top health, but did you know that the skin is the largest organ in your pet's body?
His skin and coat are essential to regulating body temperature, enhancing sensation from the environment, and protecting against germs from the world around him.
If your dog has serious skin troubles, it's best to seek veterinary help.
It can often be difficult to distinguish the cause of a skin or coat problem in dogs because of the complex interaction between the different “layers” of their skin and coat system.
That being said, some of the most common causes of skin and coat problems in dogs include:
- malnutrition
- naturally dry skin
- naturally oily skin
- improper grooming
- using products on a dog’s skin or coat that are designed for human use
- allergies
- stress
It's important to know the underlying cause of the skin irritation so that it can be treated properly.
If you only treat the symptoms, you'll continue to battle the same problem over and over again.
If you think your pet is just suffering from a minor dry skin issue, this dog food recipe for dry skin may help.
Dog Food for Dry Skin Recipe
If your veterinarian agrees that the itching is caused by dietary problems, they may want to perform an allergy test on your pet.
Once you find out what ingredients your pet is allergic to, you can create recipes or purchase a commercial food that does not include that ingredient.
If the problem is poor nutrition, this homemade dog food for dry skin may help.
It is made with limited ingredients and an uncommon protein source to reduce the chance of food sensitivities.
PrintRecipe: Dog Food for Dry Skin
This recipe is easy to make, and the ingredients can be found in virtually any grocery store. It's fairly inexpensive compared to other homemade dog food recipes, as well.
Just be sure to consult your veterinarian before feeding it to your dog. They may recommend some ingredient additions or substitutions, or possibly some additional supplements or a multivitamin.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: about 14 cups 1x
- Category: Cooked Food
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Dog Food
Ingredients
- 8 eggs (2 with shells)
- 1 ½ cup coconut Oil
- 2 cups dry long grain rice
- 1 bell pepper (chopped)
- 1 cup broccoli (chopped)
- 1 cup peas
- 2 cups Brussel sprouts (chopped)
- ½ cup celery
Instructions
In a large bowl beat your eggs, egg shells and coconut oil. This is also when you would add any supplements or multivitamins recommended by your veterinarian.
Cook the rice according to the instructions on the packaging. If your dog is allergic to rice, you can substitute quinoa for the rice in this recipe.
Add the cooked rice to your egg mixture, and stir until well combined. Add all of the vegetables and parsley to the mixture and stir again.
Pour the mixture into a large frying pan and cook over medium heat until the eggs are cooked through. Stir occasionally while cooking.
Once the food has cooled completely, you can feed it to your pet.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 122
- Sugar: .9 g
- Sodium: 45 mg
- Fat: 8.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 7.7 g
- Fiber: .7 g
- Protein: 4.7 g
- Cholesterol: 106 mg
Serving Size Recommendation: As soon as this homemade dog food for dry skin has cooled, serve it to your pet. I recommend feeding about 1/2 cup of food for every 20-25 pounds of body weight.
This recommendation is for 2 servings per day. So, a 25-pound dog would eat about 1/2 cup in the morning and 1/2 cup in the evening.
This is just a guideline. Some dogs, like working dogs and very active breeds, will need more calories than this. Lazier pets and senior dogs may not need as many.
It's best to consult your veterinarian about the appropriate serving size for your dog.
They will also help you evaluate the meal to ensure it meets your pet's unique nutritional needs.
If necessary, they will assist you in choosing the best supplements and/or multivitamins to add.
How to store: You can store the leftover dry skin dog food in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days or freeze it, and it’ll keep for up to 3 months.
Keep in mind that this recipe includes no preservatives, so it won't last nearly as long as commercial dog food.
For More Information
We publish many homemade dog food and treat recipes every month. For more recipes, pet food cooking tips, and advice, see our “Recipes” section.
If you're new to home-cooked dog food subject, I recommend you read more about “How Much To Feed” to understand serving sizes, “What Supplements To Use” to create well-balanced meals, and “How To Store” for tips on simple and easy homemade dog food storing in a fridge or a freezer.
