homemade dog food in nigeria

How to make complete dog food at low cost

One of the biggest challenges of keeping dogs in Nigeria is their feeding requirement economically, nutritionally and conveniently. There are a lot of dog food varieties in the market with various brands at various alarming costs. In fact, with that, it has become a luxury to keep dogs. Available dog food is packaged in cans & bags all imported from U.K, USA, S.A, China etc. It is worrisome that like the chicken feed dog food is not produced on a commercial level as in other parts of the world. Importation of these dog foods has made the cost so high and unsustainable to pet owners in the country. Does that spell doom? No.

Is there an alternative to these commercial dog foods?

Yes. That is what we are going to be proffering here. There is a formulation popularly used by dog breeders living in Jos town in Plateau State of Nigeria. Jos is considered the major dog breeding town in Nigeria and by my calculation has more dog breeders than any state in Nigeria presently. Dog breeders in Jos not only breed dog for local distribution but also for export. So these breeders are not ready to spend so much to feed their dogs so they subscribe to an alternative called ACHA. Acha, as its called, is made from a byproduct called ACHA. The dog food we are going to be formulating is close to this Acha but highly improved.

Problem with the regular Acha dog food

Due to the high percentage of untrained personnel in the milling of this dog food, most of the acha you see are of low quality and has low nutritional consideration or value. I have had situations where my clients would complain that his dog refused one set of acha dog food and ate another set favorably. This exposes the issue of inconsistency of the quality but all these are going to be addressed here.

Basic requirements

Here we have to consider materials or ingredients that are readily available to us in Nigeria at a very cheap cost like:

1. Corn CP 10.0%

2. Fish Meal CP 60%

3. Groundnut Cake CP 46%

4. Beans CP 23%

These ingredients above are the most commonly used ingredients to formulate this acha dog food except Acha itself. I excluded it here because I cant determine its crude protein (CP) content although the CP provided above may not be 100% correct but its not important right now what is important is knowing the principle of making complete food for your dog based on the overall crude protein (CP) you wish to achieve.

Crude protein content requirement

Crude protein is usually the primary focus of most animal feed being the source of the building blocks of life (i.e. Amino Acids). Most commercial dog foods come with crude protein of about 23-27% for adult dogs and 27-32% for puppies. Yes, puppies require more protein for development and growth while adult only requires protein for maintenance and body repairs.

Pearsons Square Method

This method is the most widely used method for calculating the crude protein combination of the various materials or ingredients available to you for your food formulation. It is used in the formulation of almost all livestock feed. So if you learn it now you can become a consultant doing it. Its simply based on a square called the Pearsons square. Take a glimpse. So lets use it to formulate our dog food using the ingredients provided above.

Calculating the crude protein

Let us formulate dog food for 27% crude protein which I believe can serve both puppies and adult dogs. We must recognize the restriction of Pearsons Square which is the fact that it only accommodates two ingredients at once.

Here we want to assume we want only groundnut cake with crude protein 46% and corn with 10% crude protein. As you can see our target crude protein is 27% in the middle of the square. So we subtract diagonally by using the big value against the smaller values. No negatives are recognized. From the above, you can see that the value on the top right is the value for groundnut cake (17.0 parts) and the one at the bottom right is the value for corn (19.0 parts). You can also see the total value in parts of both ingredients (36.0 parts).

Using our Pearsons square values we can compute the percentage of each ingredient in the ration:

- For Corn we have: (19.0 / 36.0) x 100 = 52.78%

- For Groundnut cake : (17.0/36.0) x 100 = 47.22%

With this, it means that if you want to produce 100kg of dog food with 27% crude protein you will need 52.78kg of corn and 47.22kg of Groundnut cake. What if our ingredient also has beans and fish meal which we also want to use in our formulation how to we go about it?

Formulating the dog food with more ingredients

Here we will use all the 4 ingredients listed previously. We are going to mix these ingredients in our preferred proportion and determine their combined crude protein before we delve into the square.

- 30% Fish meal with CP 60.9% = 18.27

- 70% Groundnut cake CP 46% = 32.20

Protein in High protein mix is 50.47% (adding the above values)

- 65% Corn CP 10% = 6.50

- 35% Beans CP 23% = 8.05

Protein in grain mix is 14.55%

Now let us calculate the parts in the ration of each of the ingredients using the values from our Pearsons square:

- 12.45 parts x 30% = 3.74 parts of fish meal

- 12.45 parts x 70% = 8.72 parts of Groundnut cake

- 23.45 parts x 65% = 15.24 parts of Corn

- 23.45 parts x 35% =8.22 parts of Beans

Totaling 35.92 parts

With the above values, you can now calculate the percentage of each ingredient required for your chosen quantity. From the above our new dog food containing fish meal, groundnut cake, corn & beans will require:

- (3.74/35.92) x 100 = 10.41% of fish meal

- (8.72/35.92) x 100 = 24.28% of groundnut cake

- (15.24/35.92) x 100 = 42.43% of corn

- (8.21/35.92) x 100 = 22.86% of beans

When you sum up the percentage of each ingredient you get approximately 100%. So the combination of these ingredients in the above percentage will give us 27% crude protein for our complete dog food formulation. Its best to weigh in kilograms (kg) each of the ingredient using your percentage values considering the quantity you have to produce at a time mix them properly and grind them in the mill.

Storage

I recommend you store this dog food away from high moisture and away from rodents or rats. These rodents can ruin all your effort by urinating on the food while feasting on it. Weevils are other pests that attach this food so make sure the milling process was very hygienic. I also recommend you produce dog food that will last for only 1 month or 30days.

Preparation

You cannot serve the food just like that because these dogs are not chicken or goat that eat these things raw. You have to prepare it by boiling some hot water and adding the raw food and steering for some minutes. You can also add palm oil for coloration. Prepare according to the quantity and consistency (thickness) you want to prepare or that is preferred by your dog. Beware of the aroma so that you are not tempted to eat your dog food yes it smells like some African meals (just kidding).

Its has been a long and complicated ride here. Dont worry if you didnt understand the calculation just read it again and try pressing your calculator it will start sinking in. Thank you for reading please leave your comments or suggestions below.

Your Dogs Necessary Nutrients

The following list offers some food choices to cover your dog's basic nutritional needs:

• Protein:Fresh chicken, beef, turkey, lamb or egg whites
• Fiber, vitamins and minerals:Carrots, green beans, spinach
• Essential fatty acids:Leafy greens, cooked salmon, flax seeds (linseeds)
• Calcium:plain yogurt
• Carbohydrates:Brown (Ofada) rice, barley
• Vitamins and antioxidants:Apples (without the seeds), blueberries

Pick one item from each group to include at every meal. You'll also want to rotate your choices so your dog doesn't become bored eating the same food.

If you start making balanced food for your dog, it will be much healthier and you will save money. Yes, making your own dog food Nigeria does take a bit of time, but you can make extra and store it in the freezer. At the end of the day its worth the effort! Feeding your dog homemade dog food can reduce the risk of skin allergies, boost their immune system, improve their digestive system, and give them renewed energy.

Below are some homemade dog meals and treat recipes that you can try.

Healthy Dog Food Recipes

Turkey and Vegetable Dinner

This basic dog food recipe includes turkey for protein and vegetables for added vitamins and minerals. Turkey has less fat than beef, making this an ideal recipe for doggies that could stand to lose a few pounds.

Ingredients

• 4 cups of water
• 500 gr of ground turkey
• 2 cups of brown (ofada) rice
• 1 cup of carrots, chopped
• 1 cup of green beans, chopped
• 1 tablespoon of fish oil (optional)

Directions

1. Cook the ground turkey over medium heat until the meat is cooked through.
2. Add the rice, turkey, and water to a large pot and bring to a boil.
3. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until the rice is soft and tender.
4. Add the carrots and green beans and cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, until the vegetables are tender.
5. Allow to cool before serving.
6. Store extra dinners in the fridge for up to five days.

NOTE:Avoid using heavy oil to brown the turkey. The high fat content of the oil may upset your dogs stomach.

Chicken Dinner

This recipe uses chicken, which is a good source of protein, and lots of vegetables to create a flavorful mix. Green beans help your dog feel full and vegetables promote a healthy intestinal tract.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup of green beans, chopped
• 1/2 cup of carrots, chopped
• 1 cup of spinach
• 1/2 cup rolled oats.
• 4 cups of low-salt chicken broth

Directions

1. Remove excess fat from the chicken breasts and cut the breasts into small chunks.
2. Cook the chicken breasts in a pan over medium heat until no longer pink.
3. Add the chicken, vegetables, rolled oats, and chicken broth to a large pot and cook over medium heat about 15 minutes, until the carrots are tender.
4. Allow to cool before serving.
5. Store leftover portions in the fridge for up to five days.

Chicken Stew

Dogs need large amounts of protein to keep them healthy and active. Your dog should get the majority of his protein from whole meat sources, such as fresh chicken. Beans also have a good amount of protein.

This recipe blends chicken, beans, and vegetables to create a healthy and tasty mix.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1 cup of kidney beans, drained
• 1 cup of black beans, drained
• 1 cup of carrots, diced
• 1/2 cup of tomato paste
• 4 cups of chicken broth

Directions

1. Remove the excess fat and dice the chicken breasts into small pieces.
2. Cook the chicken breasts in a pan over medium-high heat until no longer pink.
3. Add the chicken, beans, carrots, tomato paste, and chicken broth into a large pot and cook over medium heat until heated through, about 10 minutes.
4. Allow the mixture to cool before serving.
5. Store leftover stew in the fridge for up to five days.

NOTE:You can add a 1/2 tablespoon of fish oil to this recipe. The flavors are strong enough that even picky eaters wont notice the added healthy ingredient.

Beef Stew

This dog-approved version of beef stew includes meat for protein, vegetables for vitamins, and gravy for flavor. This is a good alternative to wet commercial dog foods.

Ingredients

• 500 gram of beef stew meat
• 1 sweet potato
• 1/2 cup of carrots, diced
• 1/2 cup of green beans, diced
• 1/2 cup of flour
• 1/2 cup of water or vegetable oil, plus 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil for frying

Directions

1. Cook the sweet potato until it's firm but tender.Set aside.
2. Slice the stew pieces into smaller chunks.
3. Cook the stew pieces in a tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium heat for 10-15 minutes or until well-done.
4. Remove the beef chunks from the pan, reserving the drippings.
5. Dice the sweet potato.
6. Heat the drippings over medium-low heat. Slowly add flour and water into the dripping while whisking to create a thick gravy.
7. Add the meat, sweet potato, carrots, and green beans into the gravy and stir to coat.
8. Cook until the carrots are tender, about 10 minutes.
9. Serve cool.
10. Store remaining stew in the fridge for up to five days.

Fruit Dessert for Dogs

Your dog deserves a nice dessert every once in a while. This dessert is a mix of dairy and fruit, so it tastes great but also gives your dog a nice dose of vitamins and protein.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup plain, non-fat yogurt
• 1/2 cup of strawberries, diced
• 1/2 cup of blueberries, diced
• 1/2 cup of apple, diced

Directions

1. Blend all ingredients in a medium size bowl until the yogurt is smooth and the fruit is well blended.
2. Serve in small amounts.
3. Store in the fridge for up to seven days.

NOTE:On days you plan to serve your dog this dessert, reduce the amount of regular food by one half to one cup to keep from over-feeding.

Dog Treat Recipes

These treats have a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and meat your dog will love. By sticking to low-sugar and low-fat options, you can keep your dog healthy as well.

Peanut Butter Cookies

Dogs love peanut butter, and these cookies are a great way to sneak some fish oil into your dogs diet. Fish oil improves your dogs coat, making it shiny, soft, and healthier.

Ingredients

• 2 cups of flour (white or wheat, if your dog has no wheat allergies)
• 1 cup of rolled oats
• 1/3 cup of smooth peanut butter (make your own peanut butter using raw peanuts and peanut oil, making a smooth mix)
• 1 tablespoon of honey
• 1/2 tablespoon of fish oil
• 1 1/2 cups of water

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Mix the flour and oats together in a large mixing bowl. Pour in one cup of water and blend until smooth. Add in the peanut butter, honey, and fish oil and mix until all the ingredients are well blended.
3. Slowly add the water until the mixture has a thick and doughy consistency.
4. Lightly flour a cooking surface. Roll the dough onto the cooking surface to create a sheet of about 5 mm.
5. Make the cookies and place them onto a baking sheet and bake for 40 minutes.
6. Allow to cool completely before feeding.

Chicken Jerky

The jerky is tough and chewy, so it will keep your dog occupied for a while. The chicken has a good amount of protein, which is good for a dogs muscle structure. You can substitute sweet potatoes for the chicken in this recipe. Sweet potatoes make a healthy, vegetarian alternative.

Ingredients

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Remove any excess fat from the chicken. Turn the chicken breast on its side and use a knife to slice the chicken breast into small strips.
3. Set the strips on a baking sheet. Bake for 2 hours.
4. Check the chicken before removing from the oven. It should be dry and hard, not soft or chewy.Allow the chicken to cool completely before serving.
5. Store the jerky in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Frozen Yogurt Pops for Dogs

These frozen treats are made from human grade ingredients and include fruit juice and carrots, which give your dog an added vitamin boost. Yogurt has calcium and protein and can help your dog digest food.

Note that this recipe calls for non-fat yogurt, which is a much healthier alternative to other types of yogurt, especially if your dog is overweight.

Ingredients

• 100 ml plain, non-fat yogurt
• 1 cup of no-sugar added fruit juice
• 1/2 cup of carrots, minced

Directions

1. Add the yogurt, fruit juice, and carrots into a medium-sized bowl. Stir until the ingredients are smooth and well-blended.
2. Drop the mixture into an ice cube tray.
3. Freeze until the ingredients are solid.

Fruit and Vegetable Strips

These strips break apart easily, so you can serve smaller pieces as training rewards. Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamin C, which can help boost your dogs immune system.

Ingredients

• 1 small sweet potato
• 1 medium banana
• 1 cup carrots, minced
• 1 crushed apple, remove the seeds, these are toxic to dogs!
• 2 cups of whole wheat flour (white if your dog has allergies)
• 1 cup of rolled oats
• 1/3 cup of water

Directions

1. Cook the sweet potato until the insides are soft, softer potatoes will mash easier. Set aside and allow to cool.
2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Mash the banana and sweet potato in a large mixing bowl with a hand masher until smooth. Add in the carrots, flour, crushed apple and oats. Slowly add water while mixing.
4. The ingredients will form a soft dough. Roll the dough on to a lightly floured surface until the dough is about 5 mm thick.
5. Cut the dough into strips.
6. Cook on a baking sheet for 25 minutes.
7. Store leftover strips in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Beef and Vegetable Balls

Some dogs prefer meaty treats over sweet ones. These treats have a hearty meat flavor and good aroma that all dogs love.

Ingredients

• 2 small pots of beef and vegetable baby food
• 1 cup of whole-wheat flour (or white substitute)
• 2 cups of dry milk
• 1 cup of water

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Mix all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
3. Drop the mixture onto a baking sheet in large spoonfuls.
4. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes.
5. Allow to the treats to cool completely. Store leftover beef and vegetable balls in the fridge for up to five days.

NOTE:These treats do not keep as well as others. Try cutting the recipe in half if you only have one dog.

While most dogs can handle a variety of different treats fed in small doses, some might get an upset stomach if you switch foods too quickly or too often. Before you start making your own homemade dog food,

talk to your vet

and ask if he or she has any special ingredient suggestions, as some breeds may be more prone to food allergies than others. After getting your vets approval, switch your dogs food over gradually, slowing mixing in a homemade dish with your regular food over the course of several days.

Have you made dog food before? What have the results been like? Thank you for reading please leave your comments or suggestions below.

Puppy stage is a critical period of dogs life cycle as it requires more nutrition. During this time period, puppy requires more than 28% of protein and energy density of less than 3.5 kcal ME/g DM. Dog food is material intended for consumption by the domestic dog. Dogs are able to healthily digest a variety of foods. The remarkable adaptability of the dog has led to the successful use of commercial diets that differ widely in their ingredient composition. The pet food industry has well established markets in developed countries like United States but it plays minor role in developing countries like in Sri Lanka. Therefore, this study was carried out with the objectives of formulating a palatable dog-food using locally available ingredients in Sri Lanka at lower price level, which confirm the main nutritional requirements and to determine its influence on growth rate of local breeds. Maize, Rice flour, Rice polish, Animal fat, Soya bean meal, Fish meal, Hypro meal, Chicken, Eggs, Baking soda and Vitamin premixes were the ingredients used in dog food formulation. A total of 08 puppies, between 06-08 weeks of age were selected for the study. Body weight was measured using weighing scale and serum electrolyte concentrations were measured to determine nutritional status. Sensory evaluation was performed for dog feces and skin/coat condition. The body weight and feed intake had a significant (P<0.05) and positively associated relationship (r = 0.84, P =0.000). The mean growth rate of puppies which were fed using formulated feed was 0.088 kg/day 0.038 whereas 0.025 kg/day 0.006 was the mean growth rate of puppies which were fed using homemade diets in first trial. The current study found that the mean growth rate was 0.0586 kg/day 0.022 in formulated feed group whereas 0.0628 kg/day 0.019 was the weight gain in imported feed group in second feed trial. Sensory evaluation results revealed better mean scores for sensory attributes in dog feces and skin/coat conditio