I originally prepared this post about homemade dog food weeks ago, but then tragedy struck. Our family dog, Daisy, unexpectedly jumped the fence, got hit by a car, and passed away. This loss was tough on the kids and me, so I held off on posting about pets until I felt ready.
Many people think of their dogs as part of the family and want to provide them with the best diet possible. For us, that means homemade dog food, or a real food diet for pets. Always consult a vet or specialist before changing your pet’s diet. I’m not an animal health expert; I’m just sharing what worked for us.
After we switched to real food for ourselves, I started exploring similar options for our pets. It was a bit surprising at first, but most advice pointed towards homemade dog food. It made sense once I thought about it—just like the healthiest foods for humans are usually the ones we prepare fresh at home, the same could apply to our pets. Of course, dogs and cats have different nutritional needs, so directly feeding them human food isn’t suitable. Dogs need more protein and calcium than humans do, so I’d need some guidance to create balanced homemade meals for them.
In the wild, dogs don’t eat pre-packaged food. They consume raw meat, bones, organs, and even foliage sometimes. Feeding dogs processed, vitamin-enriched foods every day is like humans living on cereal. Sure, it provides necessary nutrients, but it’s not the best for long-term health.
Dogs have the anatomy of carnivores, with a stomach made to hold large amounts of meat and bones. They have a short digestive system that processes food quickly, unlike the longer system needed for plant digestion. That’s why undigested plant matter often appears unchanged when it leaves a dog’s body.
Several resources offer recipes for healthy homemade dog foods, and after some research and talking to a vet friend, we gradually introduced raw meat to our dog’s diet. We started slow, adding one new food at a time, beginning with chicken, then beef, and eventually organ meats.
It’s crucial to ensure the raw meat is safe, though. Dogs in the wild eat fresh prey and carcasses without issues. They have saliva with antibacterial properties and a gut that quickly processes food, limiting bacterial colonization. But I still handled the meat safely—only defrosting what was needed and feeding her manageable amounts to prevent spoilage.
A typical healthy day for Daisy included raw meats, organ meats, raw bones, and additional probiotics to aid digestion. Although I’d heard cooked bones are unsafe, raw bones are actually fine. Cooked bones can splinter and cause choking, but raw bones are softer and important for nutrition, plus they help with teeth cleaning.
Not all human foods are safe for dogs, so it’s important to research. Our approach was a mostly raw diet, which also proved to be cost-effective. I found some services that offer clean dog food, which could be handy when traveling or during hectic times.
While researching, I found some helpful books on introducing a raw food diet for pets. I’ve also looked into the best CBD treats for dogs recently.
What do you feed your dog? Have you tried a raw food diet? Share your experiences!
