Do you want to feed your dogs but don’t have a big budget to get kibbles and expensive canned dog foods?
There is the option of cheap homemade dog food you can prepare at home, which your pet would love.
Making homemade dog food
Regarding cheap homemade dog foods, vets and dog owners are often caught in an argument. Many assume cheap homemade dog foods lack the required nutrients or the wrong proportion of these nutrients compared with store-bought dog food.
I couldn’t find my place on either side of the divide until I realized that cheap homemade dog foods are healthy for many reasons, including freshness.
If you are conflicted about choosing the right food for your dog, let me share with you a few other reasons why you should opt for DIY dog food.
Processed foods
Store-bought dog foods are made using processed methods, destroying the ingredients’ nutrients. How do we know this?
During processing, the parts are exposed to extremely high heat to kill all the dangerous microorganisms and bacteria nested in the raw foods.
Processing plants employ industrial-grade heating equipment designed to eliminate even the tiniest of microorganisms present in food.
While getting rid of these harmful organisms is good, some food nutrients are susceptible to very high temperatures.
Antioxidants, protein, and vitamin contents can be destroyed quickly or rendered biologically unavailable when exposed to excessively high heat.
Besides exposure to heat, boiling in a large quantity of water, exposure to some metals, and even light in the factories can rid these foods of their nutritional value.
Non-human grade protein
Commercial dog foods contain non-human grade protein sources and other ingredients.
If you take the time to check through the ingredients written on the back of your commercial dog food pack or container, you will discover that animal parts that are not consumable by humans are used to produce these foods.
Example of these unhealthy animal parts include feathers, hooves, brains, beaks, and other parts you do not want to imagine on your plate.
Scarier still is that parts from animals that died from unidentified causes or died from diseases are used and are allowed by the FDA.
While you may think that because they are dogs, anything you feed them is excellent, your pet’s health should be a priority.
It has been discovered that dogs’ health with only commercial dog foods is not so encouraging.
Something else you might find in your dog food is the chemical propylene glycol used in car anti-freeze.
Unhealthy additives
Commercial dog foods contain unhealthy additives and preservatives to prolong their shelf-life.
The pet food companies tell us these additives only come in tiny quantities and are not harmful to your pet. However, the more of these foods your dog consumes, the faster the accumulation of these dangerous chemicals that can potentially damage your canine friend’s heart, liver, and kidney.
However, a few dog food brands out there genuinely care about your pet’s health. Check out organic food brands; they are healthy if you stick to already-made dog foods.
Cheap homemade dog foods provide you with the following benefits
Freshness
When you make your dog food at home, there is a guarantee that you are using only fresh ingredients and feeding your pet with the best quality of these ingredients.
This way, you are confident that your pet isn’t consuming parts of other animals that may pose a health danger.
Nutrient Retention
Cheap homemade dog food retains its nutrients. This is so because you do not overcook them or expose them to temperatures that are not suitable.
No preservatives
Cheap homemade dog food does not contain preservatives. Since you will be feeding your pet immediately after making the food, there is no need to add artificial preservatives.
If there are any leftovers, you can wrap them up and keep them in the freezer till the next day.
Recipe for Cheap Homemade Dog Foods
These are recipes for a few delicious, cheap, homemade foods you can feed your canine buddy.
1. Dog beef stew
Ingredients
- 1 lb beef stew meat
- 1 tbsp canola or olive oil
- 1 small potato
- 1 small sweet potato
- ½ cup of water
- ½ cup of chopped carrots
- ½ cup of white flour
To prepare it, remove the skin of both potatoes and cut them into chunks. Bake the diced potatoes for about 8 minutes or until almost finished.
Next, put your frying pan above the heat, pour some oil into it, then sauté the beef until it is done. Remove the beef and slowly add water and flour to the pan.
Stairs gradually until the gravy gets thick, then add the carrots, meat, and potatoes. Allow to cook for ten more minutes and get ready to serve.
2. Doggy meatloaf
Ingredients
- 3 cups of your preferred kind of meat
- ½ cup rolled oats
- ½ cup of grated or finely chopped vegetables
- ½ cup cottage cheese
- Two whole eggs
To cook, mix all the ingredients in a bowl. Preheat your oven to 350F, place the mixture in a loaf pan, and put the pan in the oven for around 35 to 40 minutes.
When it is done, cut them into whatever size you desire.
3. Chicken Casserole
If dogs could talk, they’d tell you how delicious this meal is (ask my puppy)
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup rolled oats
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup chopped vegetables
- Oil for frying
To cook this, cut the chicken breasts into tiny bits and sauté them in the oil until cooked. Add the other ingredients to the pan and cook for 10 to 15 minutes.
Raw food
You can feed your canine with raw vegetables and meat. This kind of food is great for dogs as they retain their nutrients as a whole.
You must wash the food with clean water and feed it to your furry buddy.
Cheap homemade dog food lets you feed your dog fresh, nutrient-rich, and yummy meals. It’s worth considering for your canine buddy.