homemade dog food with oatmeal

Homemade Dog Food Recipes: Choosing Balanced Ingredients

Are you considering switching your dog to a homemade diet? A good place to begin is by discussing it with your veterinarian and/or a veterinary nutritionist. You may think that sounds unnecessary when there are so many recipes for homecooked dog meals available on the internet. However, the experts say that many of those recipes were not reviewed by veterinary nutritionists to make sure they provide a nutritional, well-balanced diet for your dog. This is why some owners prefer to feed pre-made fresh food.

The American College of Veterinary Nutrition (ACVN) warns that your dogs unique nutritional requirements will depend on the age, size, health, and breed. Also, there are dogs for whom a homemade diet may not be appropriate or might even be damaging. We generally dont recommend homemade diets for a dog less than one-year-old. If young dogs dont receive the appropriate amount of calcium and phosphorus, significant bone abnormalities may result, says Dr. Jerry Klein, AKC chief veterinarian. Pregnant and lactating dogs also have unique dietary requirements that may not be addressed by a recipe found on the internet.

The ABCs of a Balanced Dog Food Diet

Understanding the basics of what makes a homecooked diet balanced for your dog will help when you discuss the options with an expert. Here are important ingredients for the canine diet.

Protein: According to the ACVN, dogs must have protein in their diets that contain 10 specific essential amino acids their bodies cant produce. This is necessary for the creation of glucose, which transforms into energy. Sources of protein include chicken and turkey, after removing bones, fat, and skin; beef and lamb; pork in limited amounts; salmon and some other fish such as whitefish, herring, walleye, flounder, and Arctic char.

Fats and fatty acids: The most concentrated sources of fats in a dogs diet come from animal fats and plant seed oils. A healthy diet supplies the fatty acids the dogs body doesnt manufacture. Fatty acids support the function and structure of cells, keep skin and coat healthy, and enhance the taste of the food. Sources of fatty acids include plant-based oils, including corn, soybean, canola, and flaxseed oil, as well as fish oil.

Carbohydrates: Dogs get some of their energy from carbohydrates, which include sugars, starches, and dietary fibers. Sources includerice, pasta, oatmeal, and quinoa.

Fiber: Dogs need fiber in their diet to keep their gastrointestinal (GI) system functioning and to help them from becoming overweight. Good sources of fiber for dogs include carrots, pumpkin, apples, dark leafy greens, brown rice, and flaxseed.

Vitamins: Vitamins are required for growth and maintenance. Vitamin deficiencies can cause a variety of health problems; however, they can also be dangerous in large quantities.

Vitamins dogs require include A (carrots, pumpkin), B vitamins (liver, green vegetables, whole grains), C (fruits and vegetables, organ meat), D (liver, fish, beef), E (leafy green vegetables, liver, bran, plant oils), K (fish, leafy green vegetables, fish), and choline (liver, fish, meats, egg yolks).

Minerals: There are 12 essential minerals for dogs:

• Calcium (tofu, green beans, broccoli, and cauliflower) and phosphorus (meat, eggs) for strong bones and teeth.
• Magnesium, potassium, sodium, and chloride (fruits, vegetables, whole grains) for nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, and cell signaling.
• Sulfur (meat, fish, molasses) for healthy skin, coat, and nails.
• Iron (red meats, poultry) for supporting red blood cells and the immune system.
• Iodine (dairy, kelp, seafood) for a healthy thyroid.
• Zinc (eggs, lamb, liver, brewers yeast) for the immune system, healthy skin, and coat.
• Selenium (meat, vegetables, seafood, brown rice) to boost the immune system.
• Copper (whole grains, seeds, and seafood) for healthy bone growth.

Water: We sometimes overlook this important ingredient of a healthy dogs diet, but there really is no dog food that contains enough water for your dog. Keep clean, fresh water out always.

Making the Transition

Consult a veterinarian: If youve decided to transition your dog to a homemade diet, your first step should be to consult a veterinarian or veterinary nutritionist. Those experts will consider your dogs age, size, and health history and help you identify a high-quality recipe that is tailored to meet your dogs specific nutritional needs.

Buying ingredients: When you buy ingredients for your dogs homemade meals, you need to pay as much attention to the source, expiration dates, and labels as you do when you buy food for yourself.

Making the switch gradually: Whenever you change your dogs food, whether to a homemade diet or a new commercial food, a gradual switch is best to avoid upsetting your dogs GI system. For at least five-to-seven days, gradually mix in more and more of the new food with the old food, as you allow your dog to adjust to the change.

Follow the recipe: Be sure to follow the recipe. Tufts Cummings Veterinary Medical Center Clinical Nutrition Service published a study to determine how well owners adhered to homecooked diet recipes a median of one year later. Only 13 percent were still feeding the original nutritionally balanced diet recipe.

Clear instructions: Instructions about preparation and quantities are important. The way you cook the ingredients for example, steam, roast, or boil can impact the nutrition of the diet. Substituting or adding ingredients can also cause nutritional deficiencies. A study reported in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association reported that a lack of clear instructions in many recipes forces pet owners to make assumptions that can result in food that is nutritionally inadequate and can even be harmful if fed to your dog on a long-term basis.

Follow-up:Once youve made the transition, pay attention to any digestive changes your dog may have. If his stool softens, he vomits, or has diarrhea, check in with the veterinarian. Whenever you change your dogs diet, you also need to monitor his weight. It may take a while to determine the correct portions for his size, age, and energy level.

Resources for the Chef

• Your best resource and first stop is your dogs veterinarian, who knows your dog and has a thorough understanding of his health history and current condition.
• A good resource to help find a veterinary nutritionist for a homemade diet consultation is the Diplomate directory at www.acvn.org. If there isnt a nutritionist in your area, you can consult with one remotely.
• An alternative option is to use the online consulting service called BalanceIT, a site operated by a veterinary nutritionist to formulate a basic, nutritionally balanced recipe.

• Another site that provides answers to your questions is: Ask the Nutritionist
• ChefPaw is the latest way to provide your pup with nutritious and delicious meals, giving you a more efficient way to prepare homemade dog food. VisitChefPaw.comto learn more

ChefPaw by Innovet Pet Products is helping you take full control of your dogs diet with the first countertop Dog Food Maker of its kind. Striving to save you time and money while maximizing your dogs nutrition, ChefPaw can make fresh, homemade food for your dog in 40 minutes. At ChefPaw, your pets happiness and well-being take center stage.

Homemade Dog Treats with Rolled Oats

These homemade dog treats with rolled oats are made with applesauce, dried apples, and peanut butter.

Your pup is going to gobble these all-natural dog treats up! And you wont mind if they have one (or two) because you know exactly what is in them. In fact, they arent just delicious, they are nutritious for your dog too.

FYI This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Best Things About These Oatmeal Treats for Dogs

There are so many things to love about these DIY dog treats. I like how easy they are to make. If you have ever made cookies, then you can make these!

I also like how they only use completely whole ingredients. I chose only the best ones that will nourish your dog. No empty calories here! Im so excited about how nutritious they are that Im going to share details about the health benefits before we get to the recipe.

Making oatmeal dog treats is one of the best things you can make for your dogs. You can control exactly how much of each ingredient you use and not have to worry about whats in them.

I might be biased, but these are some of the best homemade dog treats I have ever made. They smelled so good as I baked them that I had to remind myself they are for the dogs!

The easy dog treats recipe is just a little further below. First, heres more about the ingredients and why I chose to use them.

Benefits of Rolled Oats

Did you know that rolled oats have lots of healthy nutrients? Thats why oatmeal treats for dogs are so good for them!

The most obvious benefit is that oatmeal is an alternative to wheat for dogs that are sensitive or gluten intolerant.

Beyond that, it also has vitamin B which helps your pet maintain a healthy coat. Its also a good source of omega-6 fatty acids that helps keep a dogs skin strong and healthy.

The soluble fiber in rolled oats helps dogs regulate their blood glucose levels. It also helps your pup of they are having irregular bowel movements that fiber will keep them regular for sure!

Benefits of Apples

Not only do apples add essential nutrients, but they add a wonderful flavor as well. Dogs love apples! Just dont let them eat the core and seeds.

There are even more health benefits of apples for dogs! First, the vitamins are good for them. They are high in vitamins A and C which will help your dog maintain healthy eyesight and boost their immune system.

Just like the rolled oats, apples have dietary fiber. This helps their digestive system function properly.

One surprising benefit of apples its good for your dogs oral health! It actually freshens their breath and cleans their teeth.

Apple Oatmeal Dog Treats Recipe Ingredients

The entire list of ingredients and the step-by-step directions are in the printable recipe card, at the bottom of this post. First, I want to share some extra info about the ingredients I used in these cookie dog treats.

Heres a list of what you need. If you want to make organic dog treats, make sure you buy all organic ingredients.

• Rolled oats Rolled oats will have the most benefits. Use any type of oats except instant or steel-cut oats.
• Dried apples Use either dried or dehydrated apples since they are the same thing. You can even use fresh ones just make sure to chop them up really small.
• Unsweetened applesauce Dogs do not benefit from added sugars. In fact, it could make them more at risk for obesity. Always use unsweetened ingredients in dog treats.
• Eggs The eggs will bind the dough, and give a tiny boost of protein to the treats.
• Peanut butter If your pet has a peanut allergy, use a different type of nut butter or sunflower butter instead. Always use nut butter with no sugar added. Do not use peanut butter that contains xylitol because it is toxic to dogs.

Ingredient Notes

When you make this easy dog treats recipe, here are a few more notes to keep in mind.

You can substitute fresh apples for dried ones. Chop them into very small pieces before you add them to the batter. The type of apple isnt as important dogs love all kinds of apples. The most important thing is that you make the apple pieces small enough to mix into the batter really well.

Are old fashioned oats the same as rolled oats? Yes they are!

Are Quaker oats rolled oats? Quaker makes old-fashioned, steel-cut, quick-cook, and instant oats. Only the old-fashioned ones are considered rolled oats.

You can use quick-cooking oats instead of rolled oats. But note the treats will be softer and moister.

Do not use instant or steel-cut oats for this recipe.

Do not use peanut butter that contains xylitol, a sweetener that is toxic to dogs.

Difference Between Dried and Dehydrated Apples

You can use either dried or dehydrated apples in this recipe.

Dried and dehydrated apples are basically the same thing. They have been through a process to remove water.

Serving Size

How many homemade dog treats should you give your dog at once? That depends on what else they ate that day.

Dogs shouldnt overeat too many carbs even healthy ones from oats and apples. For this reason, I suggest only giving your spoiled hound one treat per day.

Equipment Needed

You probably have most of the kitchen items you need to make homemade dog treats with rolled oats. You can use any regular cookie cutters but dog-shaped ones give these treats a fun look.

How to Store Baked Oatmeal Dog Treats

Store the baked dog treats in an airtight container. A dog treat jar is a good idea so they are not mistaken for human treats. Here are some cute ones on Amazon:

Can humans eat these oatmeal cookies for dogs?

They sure can! Everything in the crunchy dog treats is safe for human consumption. Although people probably wont like them. I suggest making Apple Oatmeal Cookies for people.

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Great Homemade Dog Treat Recipes

Want to make more treats for your dog? Check these out:

Not in the mood for making homemade dog treats? Check out my favorite dog treats on Amazon.

Apple Oatmeal Dog Treats

Crunchy baked homemade dog treats with rolled oats, applesauce, apples, and peanut butter.

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes Cook Time 20 minutes minutes Total Time 35 minutes minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cups Freeze-dried apples
• 2 Eggs
• cup Unsweetened applesauce
• cup Natural smooth peanut butter
• 4 cups Rolled oats

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

• Chop the freeze-dried apples into -inch pieces.

• In a medium bowl, mix together the eggs, applesauce, and peanut butter. Use a hand mixer or a large spoon for this step.

• Add the rolled oats and apple pieces and stir to combine well.

• Turn the dough out onto a smooth surface.

• Using your hands, squeeze and combine the ingredients until you have a flat, smooth dough.

• Flatten the dough evenly with your hands or a rolling pin to about to inch thickness.

• Using a cookie cutter, cut out the dog treats and place them on a greased baking sheet or use parchment paper or silicone mat to cover the baking sheet.

• Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes.

• Place the treats on a wire rack to cool once baked.

Notes

Store in an airtight container.Other types of freeze-dried fruit may be substituted for the apples.Use natural, unsweetened peanut butter. Do not use peanut butter with xylitol because it is toxic to dogs.

Nutrition

Calories: 75kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 22mg | Potassium: 85mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 17IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg