homemade dog food diet to lose weight

5 Homemade Weight Loss Dog Food Recipes: Vet Approved Tips

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Many dog owners across the US struggle with their dogs weight and are trying to help their pets lose that weight. Before you start to panic or worry too much, try these homemade dog food choices, as they can help your pet healthily lose weight. They are all high in protein and low in fat or carbs, providing your dog with all the healthy nutrients they need.

Read the recipes we have listed for you below and try some of them outyoull surely notice an improvement!

The 5 Homemade Weight Loss Dog Food Recipes

1. High-Protein, Low-Fat, Beef, and Cod Recipe

Ingredients:	Lean ground beef, beef liver, cod, bell pepper, pumpkin puree, walnut oil, vitamin supplements
Total prep time:	45 minutes1 hour
Calories per recipe:	784 kcal
Fat:	19%
Protein:	60%
Carbohydrates:	21%

This high-protein, low-fat beef and cod homemade food is fantastic for your dogs, especially if you want them to lose weight. It has around 60% protein and other necessary nutrients to nourish your dog. While you may want to reduce carbs and fat, your dogs diet must contain a certain amount of healthy fats and proteins to prevent nutrient deficiencies. The beef in this recipe contains beneficial vitamins and minerals such as zinc, iron, selenium, vitamins A, B, B12, and B6. The pumpkin puree is an excellent source of fiber, and the whole bell pepper contains vitamins C, B6, and K1.

2. Healthy, Low-Fat, Homemade Dog Food

Ingredients:	Carrots, sweet potato, lentils, ground turkey or chicken, spinach, water
Total prep time:	30 minutes
Calories per recipe:	301 kcal
Fat:	37 g
Protein:	60%
Carbohydrates:	32 g

This healthy homemade meal will provide your dog with all the essential nutrients in a balanced amount to allow them to lose weight while staying healthy. The recipe contains plenty of animal-based protein, healthy fats, fiber for a healthy digestive tract, and vitamins. It is delicious too, so even the pickiest pups will adore this meal.

It takes only 30 minutes to prepare the entire meal, and you can make bigger batches and freeze them to save yourself some time.

3. Low-Carb Chicken Dog Biscuits

Ingredients:	Ground chicken, egg, coconut flour, fresh parsley
Total prep time:	40 minutes
Calories per recipe:	40
Fat:	2%
Protein:	4%
Carbohydrates:	0%

Another fundamental food to consider is the treats you give to your puppy. Especially when your puppy is still growing, too many treats during training can quickly lead to weight gain. Finding the perfect treats that are both healthy for their bodies and delicious enough can be tricky, but with this low-carb recipe, you wont have to search anymore. These chicken biscuits are incredibly healthy and only have four ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.

The entire prep time takes about 40 minutes, and your puppy can enjoy these delicious treats right away.

4. Healthy High Animal-Protein Dog Food

Ingredients:	Ground beef, ground turkey, tuna, chicken gizzards, cottage cheese, eggs, rice, sweet potato, green peas, cauliflower, broccoli, apple, coconut oil
Total prep time:	1 hour
Calories per recipe:	132 kcal
Fat:	5.2 g
Protein:	12.7 g
Carbohydrates:	5.2 g

This homemade recipe is incredible for your furry friend because it contains all the best ingredients to keep them healthy. All the ingredients that go into making this recipe will ensure your dog gets enough protein, vitamins, and minerals while keeping the fat and carb level to a minimum. It is advisable to use calcium and vitamin supplements along with this recipe to make sure your dog has a balanced meal.

5. Low-Calorie Carrot Dog Treats

Ingredients:	Whole wheat flour, carrots, egg white, bone broth, unsweetened applesauce, chia seeds
Total prep time:	2 hours
Calories per recipe:	125
Fat:	8 kcal
Protein:	0.8g
Carbohydrates:	1.5 g

Another excellent idea for low-calorie treats is these lovely carrot treats with only six ingredients. This recipe is filled with amazing vitamins and minerals that will benefit your dogs mental and physical well-being. It contains vitamins A, C, and B3, along with zinc, iron, magnesium, calcium, and potassium. Following this recipe will give you around 125 treats, saving you a lot of time and money on buying commercial dog treats, and it is a much healthier alternative.

Conclusion

After reading these amazing recipes, we encourage you to try some of them out. They require minimal time and effort and usually contain ingredients you already have in your kitchen. One thing is for surethey are delicious! Your dogs will adore eating these homemade meals and hopefully lose weight while doing so.

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Featured Image Credit: angelbandala, Shutterstock

Healthy Homemade Dog Food Recipes

Easy Homemade Dog Food Recipes calorie-controlled and nutritionally balanced by Veterinarian Dr Charlotte Williamson

Many dog owners find preparing homemade dog food to behighly rewarding. Watching your dogthrive and knowing exactly what he's eating can bereassuring. So if you have the time and inclination, homemade dog food may bea great option for your pooch.

For this reason, I would like to show you how to make your own dog food. My dog food recipes are easy, cost-effective and nutritionally balanced. They can also work wonders in helping to manage your dogs weight. (Sorry, sausages and peanut butter dog treats are not suitable for dieting dogs!)

Nutrition and Calories in Homemade Dog Food

Each of my dog food recipes lists its protein and calorie content. If you have an overweight dog, and know your dogs daily calorie requirements these homemadedog food recipes make it easy to count calories.

Many homemade dog food recipes are not nutritionally balanced. Over time this can lead to serious developmental disorders and health issues.

What you should know about Homemade Dog Food

• Homemade dog food is prone to rapid bacterial and fungal growth if it is not chilled. Refrigerate or freeze your prepared homemade dog food in sealed containers at less than 4 degrees Celsius (32-39.2 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Use refrigerated homemade dog food within 3 days. Check for odor and color changes before serving. Serve at just below body temperature. Ensure there are no hot spots if defrosting or warming the food in a microwave.
• Homemade dog food must be supplemented with calcium and dog vitamin and mineral powders. These dog supplements are not optional.
• Each recipe provides 1000 kcal. Serving size is determined by yourdogs dieting calorie requirement.
• Measure out the ingredients using kitchen scales to ensure the protein and calorie content is accurate.
• Do not cook or heat the vitamin/mineral supplement. Instead, add it to the meal just before feeding.

1. Chicken, Rice and Vegetable Homemade Dog Food

Nutrient Analysis: This recipe provides 1000 kcal and 76 g protein.Note: Ingredient weights refer to raw weights.

Ingredients

• Chicken breast (skinless) 290g (10oz)
• Brown rice 145g (5oz)
• Broccoli 46g (1.6 oz)
• Carrots 46g (1.6 oz)
• Peas 46 g (1.6 oz)
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil 2 teaspoons
• Psyllium Powder 2 tablespoons

Method:

1. Cook rice until tender- follow packet guidelines.
2. Steam broccoli, carrots and peas until just tender.
3. Cook chicken- Steam, microwave or use non-stick pan to oven bake.
4. Dice cooked chicken and vegetables
5. Mix chicken and vegetables with cooked rice.
6. Add 2 1/2 teaspoons of extra virgin olive oil.
7. Add 2 level tablespoons of psyllium powder.
8. Weigh final product and portion according to your dogs dieting calorie intake.
9. Prior to serving, add a dog vitamin and mineral supplement prior to serving. Or alternatively add: 1/4 teaspoon iodised salt, 1 x crushed 25 mg zinc tablet, 1500 mg calcium, 1 crushed multi-vitamin tablet (Centrum women).Mix it thoroughly through food and serve.

2. Tuna and Vegetable Homemade Dog Food

Nutrient Analysis: This recipe provides 1000 kcal and 149g protein. Note: Ingredient weights refer to raw weights.

Ingredients:

• Canned tuna in water or brine, drained (577 grams/ 20.4 oz)
• Potato, scrubbed or peeled (288 grams/ 10.2 oz)
• Cauliflower (138 grams/ 4.9 oz)
• Green beans (138 grams/ 4.9 oz)
• Extra virgin olive oil (2 teaspoons)
• Psyllium powder (1 tablespoon)

Method:

1. Steam vegetables until tender.
2. Dice and mix vegetables.
3. Break up tinned tuna and mix evenly through cooked vegetables.
4. Add 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil.
5. Add 1 level tablespoon of psyllium powder.
6. Weigh cooked product and portion according to your dogs dieting calorie intake.
7. Before serving, add mineral and vitamin supplements: Use a dog vitamin and mineral supplement suitable for home cooking. Or alternatively add:1/4 teaspoon iodised salt, 1 x crushed 25 mg zinc tablet, 1500 mg calcium, 1 crushed multi-vitamin tablet (Centrum women).Mix evenly though food prior to serving.

For more homemade dog foodrecipes suitable for dog weight management-visit WAGSTAWellness.

Join WAGSTA WELLNESS for more homemade dog food recipes

Things to consider when creating homemade dog food recipes

Before creating your own homemade dog food recipes,ask yourselfthe following questions:

• Will you beable to accurately determine the calories in you dog food recipes? Human dieting apps such asMy Fitness Palwill allow you to breakdown the calorie count of individual ingredients.
• Will you be able to ensurecorrect nutrient ratios in your dog food recipes, e.g. calcium and phosphorus ratios?
• Can you provide theessential nutrient components in your dog food recipes? This can be very difficult to achieve without the aid of specially prepared supplements.
• Have you factored in thecost and availability of the ingredients in your dog food recipes? Substitutingingredients when there is short supplyalters the nutritional balance and calorie content of the recipe.
• Have you ensured that the ingredients are safe for dogs? Some human foods are toxic to dogs. For more information read foods poisonous to dogs.
• Have you considered the possibility ofselectiveeating (where your dogrefuses to eatsome of the ingredients) such as spitting out the peas?This will alter your dogs calorie intake and nutrient balance. Avoid selective eating by blending the finished product.
• Have you considered the preparation and cooking time involved in your dog food recipes?
• Have you considered the storage life of homemade dog foodand theneed for refrigeration orfreezing?

The successful preparation of healthy homemade dogfood recipes requires planning and attention to detail.

Dont have time to make your own dog food?

For some pet parents, the homemade dog food option isunfeasible. Thats why weve put together a commercial diet dog food index, as part of the WAGSTA dog weight loss program. The comparison chart compares diet dog foods from around the world, indexing them according to calorie and protein content, making it simple to find the right food for your dog.

Introduce your dog to a safe dog workout and individualized calorie plan with WAGSTAWellness.Help your dog feel like a puppy again-shedding those excess pounds and regaining health, energy and play!

Homemade Recipes for Obese or Overweight Dogs

Hello Glenn,

Thank you so much for your comment and please don't apologize, we're very happy to help if we can help.

Coconut oil can be healthy for dogs in small doses, but for an obese dog, it is likely added calories which will not be particularly helpful. Unfortunately, although it is TEO's favorite, cheese will not be great for his weight issue either. We suggest removing the cheese from his diet, perhaps only using it as a very occasional treat. If he refuses to eat at all, then providing a healthier low fat cheese alternative is recommended and might convince him to eat the otherwise healthy meal.

If you want to make a bigger batch, please go ahead. Dogs have incredible smell receptors. However, while some may be picky about what they eat, most will happily scarf down a lot of food we humans would find unappetising. For humans, creating a delicate flavor profile with a strict recipe is important. This is not so much the case with dogs.

If you use the percentage guidelines written at the top of the article, you should be absolutely fine to estimate how much of each ingredient to put in. It does not have to be exactly accurate, so don't worry so much about the scale. Just use it as a rule of thumb.

Here is another recipe with a video you might want to try. It is a healthy alternative which might be good to get you started:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnEu6RSAxeI&t=1s

Good luck with TEO's weight loss, we hope he feels better soon and please feel free to update us on his progress!