Home-Cooked Diets for Dogs: A Tail-Wagging Trend in the UK

Are you a dog lover seeking a healthier, more personalised diet for your furry friend? Join the growing trend of home-cooked diets for dogs in the UK.

This comprehensive guide, inspired by my own experience with my beloved Bella, will provide you with everything you need to know to create nutritious, balanced, and delicious meals for your beloved pet.

Why Consider Home-Cooked Diets for Dogs?

• Health Benefits: Control the quality and freshness of ingredients. Know precisely what you are putting into your dog.
• Cost Savings: People often assume that home cooking will be way more expensive, but actually it can often work out far cheaper. For a start, you're not paying for the fillers used in commercial foods, so you will probably find your dog actually needs less food. That's because everything you're putting into him is good stuff!
• Personalised Nutrition: Tailor meals to your dog's specific needs.

Nutritional Needs: A Comprehensive Guide

Creating a balanced diet for your dog doesn't have to be complicated. Just like humans, dogs need a variety of nutrients, and achieving a balanced diet over the course of a week can lead to a happy and healthy pet.

• Proteins: Essential for growth and energy. Include lean meats and offal.
• Carbohydrates: Opt for healthy alternatives like sweet potatoes.
• Fats: Include healthy fats like fish oil.
• Vegetables: Cooked vegetables like carrots and peas.
• Dairy and Eggs: Excellent sources of protein and other nutrients.
• Supplements: Consult with a professional for any required supplements.
• Avoid Harmful Foods: Be aware of toxic foods like chocolate and onions.

Remember, it's all about balance. You don't have to achieve perfection in every meal; it's the overall diet that counts.

Cooking and Freezing Meals in Batches

1. Plan the Menu
2. Prepare Ingredients
3. Cook the Meals
4. Portion and Freeze
5. Defrost as Needed

Bella's Story: From Raw Diet to Home-Cooked Meals

Bella, my beautiful cocker spaniel, was on a raw diet for most of her life (more on that in another post!). However, after being diagnosed with kidney disease, a condition requiring a low-protein diet, I faced a challenge.

I was offered a prescription diet for her, but on studying the ingredients found that it was quite high in fat. This was a problem for Bella because she also suffered from pancreatitis (a very painful condition needing a low fat diet).

So I began to research and create a diet that was both low in protein and fat. I focused on:

• Lean Proteins: Such as lean beef, chicken or turkey, avoiding fatty cuts.
• Healthy Carbohydrates: Like sweet potatoes, which provided energy without the grains found in commercial dog food.
• Healthy oils: like MCT oil which bypasses the pancreas.
• Low-Fat Vegetables: Such as broccoli, green beans and peas.
• Controlled Portions: To maintain a healthy weight.

I also embraced batch cooking, preparing two weeks' worth of meals at a time and freezing them. This approach included:

• Planning: Creating a menu that met Bella's nutritional needs.
• Shopping Smartly: Looking for marked-down items and buying in bulk.
• Cooking: Preparing meals with love and care.
• Freezing: Dividing the meals into daily portions and freezing them.
• Defrosting: Remembering to defrost the next meal in advance.

On this home-cooked diet, Bella's kidney function was found to be almost back to normal after six months. I believe it helped extend her life, and I know for sure that she thoroughly enjoyed her tasty, home-cooked dinners.

How to Get Started with Home-Cooked Dog Food

• Consult a Veterinarian or Nutritionist
• Research and Planning: Utilize UK resources like the Pet Food Manufacturers' Association (PFMA).
• Start Slow

Tips for Buying Cheaper Dog Food Ingredients

• Shop at Discount Stores: Stores like Lidl and Aldi offer quality meats at reasonable prices.
• Buy in Bulk: Purchase ingredients like lean beef or turkey mince in bulk and freeze what you don't use.
• Use Seasonal Produce: Incorporate seasonal vegetables and fruits for freshness and savings.
• Look for Marked-Down Items: Often, stores mark down meats and produce that are close to their sell-by date but still good for cooking. You can freeze them if you're not ready to cook immediately.
• Consider Frozen Options: Sometimes, frozen mince or fish can be cheaper than fresh. Just be sure to check the ingredients and quality.
• Grow Your Own Vegetables: If you have the space and inclination, growing your own vegetables can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to provide fresh produce for your dog's meals.

Websites to Get Help and Find Dog Food Recipes

• The Dog Nutritionist - brilliant walk-through video!
• The Canine Nutritionist
• Nature's Best

A Simple Recipe (Source: BBC Good Food)

Chicken and Rice Doggie Stew

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 cup of rice
• 2 carrots, diced
• 1 cup peas
• 2 cups chicken broth

Instructions:

1. Cook the chicken in a pan until fully cooked.
2. In a separate pot, cook the rice according to package instructions.
3. Combine chicken, rice, carrots, peas, and chicken broth in a pot.
4. Simmer for 15-20 minutes until the carrots are tender.
5. Allow to cool and serve.

Conclusion

Home-cooked diets for dogs offer a loving and tailored approach to canine nutrition. Whether you're managing specific health conditions like kidney disease and pancreatitis or simply seeking a wholesome diet for your furry friend, the journey is rewarding.

With careful planning, research, and consultation with veterinary professionals, you can provide delicious and nutritious meals that cater to your dog's unique needs. Embrace this tail-wagging trend and give your dog the love and nourishment they deserve with home-cooked meals.