How to Cook For Your Dog

How to cook for your dog?

Do you feel a ray of joy when you cook for your family? Do you want to feel the same joy seeing your dog eat the food that you cooked for him? Have you always wanted to cook for your dog but you can’t because your veterinarian made it look like rocket science? I know that’s a lot of questions but by the end of this article you’ll become quite familiar with your dog’s dietary needs and help some recipes that he’ll adore. 

Cooking for someone also shows a sense of affection. So these recipes would be the perfect way of showing how much the little guy’s presence in your life means to you.

But first you need to understand his dietary requirements. So, on an average your dog’s meal should look like:

•    50% Protein
•    30% Carbohydrates
•    20% Fruits and Vegetables
•    10% Fats

Now you can go ahead and add some supplements such as Omega-3 fatty acids, cod liver oil or some vitamins. To fulfill the carb requirement brown rice is a healthier option.

For growing Pups:

Dogs of different ages have different dietary requirements. On an average, dogs require to consume 2-3% of their body weight per day. However that might differ for pups. 

A growing puppy requires the higher end of that figure. In the growing seasons, you also need to cut down the calcium intake of your dog. If you look up a recipe for your pup that requires a full egg, then you need to cut that down to half and so on.

Now if your pup is in his early years with that pump of energy, then his health will benefit from seafood. Whip him a recipe that has meat, carbs, veggies, and sardines as main ingredients. You can refresh that fishy puppy breath later with some peanut butter and honey.
 

For Older Dogs:

For a grown dog, the 2-3% of his weight rule still stands but fruits and veggies are the best food for them. You can include wheat bran in his diet every now and then to help with constipation.

Now that your dog’s immune system is aging, you must include Vitamin E and beta-carotene in his diet. The best way to do that is add some seeds and vegetables containing these, although with your veterinarian’s suggestion, you can also use supplements.

With age, your dog’s energy level will decrease so no matter what you make him cut it down a notch. Keep a chart and make sure your dog consumes 2% of his body weight. Also reduce the fat levels in the recipes that you make.

Now if your dog is a growing pup or of fully grown size, his dietary requirement may vary according to his size; Small dogs have different needs and so their serving size will vary.  Other than the serving size, ingredients may vary as well. For example, small dogs don’t require as much calcium as the large ones. 

For small dogs, look for a recipe that includes, oatmeal, cottage cheese and flaxseeds. If you choose to add veggies and fruits such as sweet potatoes and apples, make sure to chop them finely.

Before cooking anything for your dog, consult your veterinarian to determine your dog’s current health condition and his dietary requirements. As much as you’d love to cook for your four legged happiness, you sure don’t want any trouble. So make sure, what he needs best and then, Happy Cooking! 


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