Homemade Beef & Rice Dog Food

Feed your dog a well-balanced homemade food.
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When you're cooking for your favorite dog, you have to make sure his homemade diet includes all the nutrients the animal needs. Homemade dog food is a great supplement or alternative to commercial dog foods. Beef, rice and veggies contain a good combination of the protein, fats and carbohydrates that dogs need to thrive. A recipe with the right ingredients for Duke is easy to put together.

Dice the carrots so they are about the same size as peas. You can also substitute frozen peas and carrots in place of fresh vegetables. Preheat a large sauté pan over medium heat.

Add the ground beef to the pan and cook, stirring often to break it up into small chunks, until it is almost completely cooked.

Add the carrots and peas, and cook until they have softened. Do not drain the beef first, because the fat will help cook the vegetables as well as provide good nutrition for your dog. It should take 4 to 5 minutes for the vegetables to soften.

Add cooked brown or wild rice to the mixture. Stir until all the ingredients are well-combined and remove the pan from the heat.

Stir in the omega-3 supplement, which is typically available in liquid form, and allow the food to cool. Omega-3 fatty acids are great for your dog's skin and coat. You can stir in any other nutritional supplement that your dog may need, but speak to your vet before you give any supplement.

Portion size will vary based on your dog's size and activity level, but a basic rule is that they should eat about 2 percent of their body weight in meat per day. If you have a 25-pound dog, this recipe will last for three days.

Store the leftover food in the refrigerator. You can reheat a portion for 15 to 20 seconds in the microwave before serving if your dog doesn't like cold food, but don't serve it hot.

Tips

  • Talk to your dog’s vet about changes in his diet, especially if you are going to try homemade food. The vet can help you make sure the food is nutritionally balanced for his breed and for any other medical issues he might have.

Warnings

  • A debate exists over whether raw meat products are good for dogs. Because of the potential bacteria problems, stick to cooked ground beef unless you are confident about the source of your meat.

    Transition your dog to a new diet slowly. A rapid change in diet can lead to stomach trouble, so add a little homemade food to his current food each day, gradually increasing the percentage over the course of about 10 days.

    Avoid adding onions, garlic and most spices to homemade dog foods. Onions and garlic can lead to anemia in dogs if they are eaten in large amounts.

Warnings

  • A debate exists over whether raw meat products are good for dogs. Because of the potential bacteria problems, stick to cooked ground beef unless you are confident about the source of your meat.

  • Transition your dog to a new diet slowly. A rapid change in diet can lead to stomach trouble, so add a little homemade food to his current food each day, gradually increasing the percentage over the course of about 10 days.

  • Avoid adding onions, garlic and most spices to homemade dog foods. Onions and garlic can lead to anemia in dogs if they are eaten in large amounts.

Tips

  • Talk to your dog’s vet about changes in his diet, especially if you are going to try homemade food. The vet can help you make sure the food is nutritionally balanced for his breed and for any other medical issues he might have.

Items You Will Need

  • 1½ pounds ground chuck
  • ½ cup carrots, diced
  • ½ cup peas
  • 1 cup cooked brown or wild rice
  • 1 tablespoon omega-3 fatty acid supplement