homemade dog food keto
3 Homemade Ketogenic Dog Food Recipes
Ketogenic diets have become very popular in recent years, and not just for humans. Dog owners are increasingly considering switching their pups to fat-burning keto diets. If youre one of them, youll want to learn all about this special diet and how to make sure your dog is getting the best nutrition possible.
Thats where this guide comes in! Whether youre starting your dog on a ketogenic diet or just looking for a new keto recipe, you should be able to find the perfect ketogenic dog food recipe on this list. Were also covering all the basics of the ketogenic diet, including the best ratio and ingredients to use. Scroll down to learn how to make ketogenic dog foodand get vet-approved recipes!
What is a Keto Diet?
A keto diet is made up of lots of fat, a medium amount of protein, and very few carbs. The theory behind this diet centers on ketosis, a metabolic state where the body runs out of carbohydrates and starts burning fat instead.
For dogs, this diet may replicate an ancient scavenger diet, which would have involved eating lots of meat and very little carbs, with periods of fasting in between.
What are the benefits of a keto diet?
Keto diets may help your dog lose weight or fight diabetes and seizures. It may also help your dog fight off cancerthough this hasnt been proven. If youre not sure if the keto diet is right for your dog, we recommend talking to your veterinarian.
Ketogenic Dog Food Basics
To put together ketogenic dog food, youll need to consider your dogs individual dietary needs and food sensitivities. How many calories does your dog eat every day? Youll also want to adjust the proportions if your dog has cancer or other illnesses. Talk to your vet about illness-specific diets.
Once you know how much food you need, you can calculate the ingredients using a ketogenic ratio. A good starter ratio is 70% fat, 25% protein, and 5% carbs. To get enough fat, you can use coconut oil, butter, or tallow. Protein sources can range from beef and chicken to turkey or pork. Vegetables like peppers, broccoli, and zucchini are a good source of minimal carbs.
The 3 DIY Ketogenic Dog Food Recipes:
1. Raw Ketogenic Dog Food Recipe
Looking for a simple starter recipe? This raw ketogenic dog food recipe is a great place to start. Combine ground beef, coconut oil, and red cabbage to make healthy and inexpensive dog food.
2. Frozen Keto Dog Food Pucks
Want to make ketogenic dog food that lasts a long time and is always ready? Try this recipe, which involves freezing raw pucks of keto food. Pull one out an hour before mealtime and your dog will enjoy a keto feast!
3. Keto Pumpkin Dog Balls
If youd like to supplement your dogs diet with ketogenic dog treats, we have just the recipe. Whip up these grain-free pumpkin dog balls, full of plenty of fat (coconut oil) and protein (peanut butter) to give your pup a healthy treat!
Conclusion
We hope this guide has helped you understand keto dog food and learn how to make keto dog food of your very own! No matter what your dogs specific dietary needs are, were sure one of these ketogenic dog food recipes will do the trick. Tweak the proportions to suit your dog (with the help of a veterinarian) and youll have the perfect dog food!
Looking for more dog food recipes?
Featured Image Credit: Tatjana Baibakova, Shutterstock
Best Keto Dog Food: Is A Low Carb Diet Right For Your Dog?
The ketogenic (or keto for short) diet has become a popular fad diet in the last few years. Its also gaining ground in the canine world. But is the ketogenic diet for dogs safe? And what do know about the short and long-term health effects of this strict diet? Well explore the research behind the keto diet and the possible health benefits and downsides for dogs. We also review the best commercial keto dog food and give you a homemade recipe.
At A Glance: Our Top Picks
What Is A Keto Diet?
The keto diet for humans involves very low carbs, high fat, moderate protein levels, and caloric restrictions, similar to Atkins and other low-carb diets. The idea behind keto is to replace most of the carbohydrates you eat with fat. Normally our bodies convert carbohydrates into glucose for a quick fuel source, and unused glucose is stored in the liver as glycogen.
But with drastically low carbohydrate intake, glucose and glycogen levels are too low, so the body finds an alternate source of fuel ketones converted from fat. When this occurs, your body has entered a metabolic state called ketosis. Ketosis causes weight loss, reduced insulin levels, and an increase in the bodys ability to burn fat.
Keto Diet Research
Scientific evidence shows that the keto diet helps people lose weight and may have other short-term health benefits for humans. Studies have shown that a low-calorie keto diet is effective in significant weight loss in a short time and helps suppress appetite.Theres also some (but limited) evidence to suggest ketogenic diets could help treat diabetes, epilepsy, some cancers, and neurodegenerative disorders, like Alzheimers disease.
However, evidence from human clinical trials is lacking. The Mayo Clinic points out that theres very little evidence to show that the keto diet is effective or safe over the long term for any condition other than epilepsy.
What About Research In Dogs?
A few small studies show some promising results for dogs. For example, A study of 21 epileptic dogs on a keto diet rich in medium-chain triacylglycerols (TAG) for three monthsfound that three dogs became seizure-free, seven experienced a 50% or more drop in the frequency of seizures, and another five had reduced seizure frequency.
Other evidence comes from the nonprofit KetoPet Sanctuary, a rescue shelter for dogs with terminal cancer. Upon arrival, dogs were placed on a keto diet and had their blood monitored to ensure that they achieved ketosis. At the same time, all dogs received optimal cancer treatment (chemotherapy, surgery, etc.), and tumors were measured with PET scans. While not a cure, results showed promise, with 55% of dogs living beyond their original prognosis.
Pros & Cons Of A Keto Diet For Dogs
Given the lack of research, many veterinarians dont recommend a keto diet. Many physicians believe the keto diet is unsafe for humans long-term because of its high fat content. Side effects of very low carbs include constipation, lethargy, headaches, and more. In dogs, the major concerns are pancreatitis, nutritional deficiencies, lethargy, diarrhea, and constipation.
Still, keto for dogs has its proponents, particularly for pups with certain conditions, most notably epilepsy, cancer, and diabetes. Many keto for dogs fans base their support largely on anecdotal evidence rather than scientific research. Before putting your dog on any special or restrictive diet, always consult your veterinarian. Dogs should only be on a keto diet under direct vet supervision.
Potassium chloride is the preferred form of potassium for people on a ketogenic diet. Its also used in the best electrolyte products. Potassium chloride is also used in pet food, but the small quantities are unlikely to have any noticeable adverse effects. In fact, for some dogs and cats, the added potassium could have beneficial properties.
The extrusion process can be used to produce keto-friendly food for dogs that aligns with their dietary needs. This includes:
- Mixing: Combine the selected ingredients in appropriate proportions to meet keto dietary requirements.
- Grinding: Grind the mixture to ensure uniformity and easy processing.
- Cooking: The mixture is then cooked under high temperature and pressure during extrusion. This process not only sterilizes the food but also transforms it into a kibble-like form that dogs can easily eat.
- Cooling: After extrusion, the keto dog food is cooled to room temperature to ensure its safe and stable for storage.
- Packaging: The final product is packaged in airtight, moisture-proof bags to maintain freshness and prevent spoilage.
Best Keto Dog Food
There arent many choices out there for dog food brands that make keto-specific dog food. Here are our top picks from those that do.
Winner: Ketogenic Pet Foods
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Weve chosen Ketogenic Pet Foods Keto Kibble as our top pick for high-protein, low-carb dog food because of their nutrient-rich blends and competitive price for keto dog food. Their all-natural kibble contains a wealth of vitamins and minerals, as well as fish oil for skin and coat health and probiotics for gut health. Both formulas meet all Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) guidelines for nutritional content and are made in the USA.
More popular is their grain-free and starch-free Keto Kibble recipe which is 60% protein, 16% fat, and 5% carbohydrates. If youd prefer lower protein and are concerned about giving your dog grain-free food, their Keto Foundation kibble recipe contains 40% protein, 18% fat, and 5% carbs. This formula includes brown rice as the second ingredient. Both blends get overall excellent customer reviews from both dog and cat owners.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Good value for keto pet food | Only available in chicken |
| Meets AAFCO guidelines for all life stages | |
| Contains fish oil and probiotics | |
| Offers a grain-inclusive option | |
| Made in the USA | |
| For dogs and cats |
Price
Runner-Up: Visionary Keto Pet Foods
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Visionary Keto Pet Foods worked closely with nonprofit KetoPet when formulating their high-protein, high-fat, and low-carb dog food that comes in beef and chicken recipes. Their meats contain no antibiotics or added hormones. One cup of kibble contains 58 grams protein, 45 grams fat, and 1 gram net carb.
Both formulas are gluten and grain-free and contain no corn, soy, rice, potatoes, peas, carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, or fruit. The company also offers freeze-dried raw medallions and dog treats.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Meets AAFCO guidelines for all life stages | On the pricey side |
| Recipes based on nutrition research by KetoPet | Several complaints that the kibble is too large and hard for smaller dogs |
| Made and sourced in the USA | |
| Company donates food and a portion of profits to KetoPet Sanctuary |
Price
Third Place: Ketona
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Ketonas high-fat low-carb dog food contains only natural ingredients, with whole chicken or salmon as the first ingredient. With 46% protein, 16% fat, and 5% carbohydrates, Ketonas grain-free kibble contains no wheat, rice, soy, barley, or potatoes. Their chicken is non-GMO, antibiotic-free, and raised by American ranchers who use sustainable practices. And both formulas are fortified with essential vitamins and minerals.
Ketona could be a good choice if your dog is under 70 pounds, but we dont recommend it for larger dogs because it doesnt meet their nutritional needs, according to the AAFCO. Ketona also offers freeze-dried raw chicken liver dog treats that have zero carbs, as well as calming chews with hemp and mobility chews.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Whole antibiotic-free chicken or salmon as first ingredient | Doesnt meet AAFCO guidelines for large dogs (over 70 lbs) |
| No wheat, rice, soy, barley, or potatoes | A few complaints that the kibble is too small for medium-sized dogs |
| 30-day satisfaction guarantee | |
| Made and sourced in the USA |
Price
Keto Diet For Dogs Recipe
Making homemade dog food can be challenging. Of course, you want to make sure your DIY recipes contain the recommended nutrients for your pup. According to Australian Vets All Natural, your homemade keto recipe should contain roughly 80% high protein and fat, 15% leafy vegetable matter, and a maximum of 5% complex carbohydrates. Heres a keto recipe guideline for dogs, but we urge you to consult your veterinarian before putting your dog on any kind of homemade diet.
- Start with a base of Dr. Harveys Paradigm, a low-carb, grain-free dehydrated blend of green leafy veggies, healthy herbs, and added vitamins and minerals.
- Add hot water to the Paradigm pre-mix and let it sit for 10 minutes.
- Add freshly cooked protein (chicken, turkey, beef, fish, etc.)
- Stir in healthy oils to boost the fat content (coconut, flax, olive, sesame, and fish oils are all good choices).
Not Sure Keto Is Right For Your Pup?
If youre looking for healthy, lower-carb dog food thats not so high in fat, you have many other options. You may want to consider fresh dog food that contains all-natural, whole foods and ingredients, and some can be personalized for your dogs dietary needs. If your goal is for your furry friend to lose weight, check out our reviews of the best dog foods for obese and overweight pups. Also, learn more about raw food diets for dogs and our top picks for raw food delivery.
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