Sadly, more than 25% of dogs will suffer from joint pain in their lifetime. For some dogs, these problems come with old age.
For others, these issues are genetic and may begin early in life. This homemade dog food for joint pain may be a good option to alleviate the swelling and pain associated with joint issues.
Just like arthritis in humans, hip and joint pain can be debilitating for dogs. If you think your dog is showing signs of joint pain, it's best to seek veterinary care.
Once your dog begins to show these signs, he needs a treatment regimen to stop the degeneration of the joints.
Your veterinarian will likely recommend a diet change to incorporate some joint healthy ingredients.
They may also recommend adding some supplements that have been proven to help ease the pain and swelling linked to joint problems.
Consulting with your veterinarian is also important to ensure that this homemade dog food for joint pain will meet all of your dog's nutritional needs.
This recipe will not provide balanced nutrition for all dogs, so you'll need the advice of your vet. They may recommend adding supplements or a multivitamin to the recipe, so you can feed it as a long-term diet option.
Homemade Dog Food for Joint Pain
Early recognition of joint pain and limiting further damage are two key goals when caring for a dog with joint problems.
Unfortunately, signs of joint pain in dogs are sometimes difficult to notice until there is a major problem. For this reason, most arthritic dogs suffer in silence.
Don't wait until your dog is in noticeable pain. Take your pet for regular veterinary check-ups.
Keep a close eye on your dog's behaviors and report even the smallest changes in behavior to your vet.
PrintRecipe: Homemade Dog Food for Joint Pain
While this recipe may provide balanced nutrition for some dogs, it won't be suitable for all pets. Be sure to discuss any diet changes with your veterinarian, as your pet could suffer from malnutrition after just a few days of eating unbalanced meals.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 14 cups 1x
- Category: Dog Food
- Method: Boiled
- Cuisine: Dog Food
Ingredients
- 2 chopped zucchini
- 2 cups kale
- 2 cups chopped carrots
- 2 chopped sweet potatoes
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1/2 cup lentils
- 1.5 cups quinoa
- 1/2 cup chopped parsley
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cranberries
- 1 cup nettles
Instructions
Add 8 cups of water to a large soup pot. Add the sweet potatoes and carrots. Bring to a boil. Simmer for 5 minutes.
Add the rest of the ingredients. Turn off the heat, cover the pot and allow the recipe to sit until it has cooled to room temperature. The heat will soften the vegetables and cook the quinoa.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 81
- Sugar: .9 g
- Sodium: 15 mg
- Fat: .7 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 3.1 g
- Protein: 2.9 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
How much to feed: I recommend feeding about 1/2 cup of food for every 20-25 pounds of body weight. 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.
How to store: You can store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days or freeze them and they’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 treats recipes every month. For more recipes, pet food cooking tips, and advice, see our “Recipes” section.
If you're new to the 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.
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