HARMFUL INGREDIENTS

While making dog food at home eliminates worries about fillers and additives, you do run the risk of adding potential fatal ingredients to the mix if you are not careful. Some everyday human foods can be toxic to a dog. Make sure you keep the following off the doggie menu.

• Avocado: This contains persin, a toxin perfectly fine for human consumption but potentially fatal for dogs. Eating any part of an avo creates a fluid in the lungs that can deprive a dog of oxygen and ultimately suffocate a dog.
• Caffeine: This stimulates the dog’s nervous system, manifesting in restlessness, vomiting, and diarrhea. If ingested in too high an amount, it causes abnormal heart rhythm and lung failure. This means be careful with coffee, tea, and soft drinks around your furry companion.
• Xylitol: This is a sugar alcohol used in a lot of candy, gum, toothpaste, and baked goods. Consumption causes a dog’s blood sugar levels to plummet. Within only 40 minutes, a dog may experience vomiting, coma, or even seizures.
• Grapes: This contains a toxic compound, though we’re not sure what. Research is still being conducted, but there is no doubt that grapes are deadly as 180 reports found that consumption of a handful of raisins led to canine death. Grapes in any shape or form will likely lead to vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, and depression, and eventually kidney failure.
• Alcohol: This isn’t just what’s in your liquor cabinet. It’s the alcohol in your perfumes, mouthwash, paint varnish, cleaning products, and raw dough. The yeast in raw dough expands in the stomach as it ferments, causing extreme bloating and pressure on the organs.
• Chocolate: This contains theobromine and caffeine, both of which are stimulants and both of which are a huge strain on a dog’s metabolism. Watch for symptoms of stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration. Symptoms may escalate to internal bleeding, seizures, and death. The darker the chocolate, the more toxic, so be especially wary of baker’s chocolate and pure cocoa powder.
• Salt: This causes water deprivation in dogs. Don’t feed your dog salted snacks like chips and popcorn. And make sure drinking water is always available. Vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, fever, and seizure could ensue if your canine consumes salt.
• Harmful but not deadly:
• Onions, chives, garlic
• Diary
• Macadamia nuts
• Apples, apricots, cherries, peaches, and plums
• Note: When you introduce anything new into your dog’s diet--take precautions to ensure he or she is not allergic. It’s best to introduce new foods gradually, increasing the amount of it over time.

PROTEINS

Finding a store-bought dog food with real meat is a task. Labeling can also be deliberately vague so consumers can’t be sure what they’re getting.

• Chicken: This provides one of the most digestible forms of protein for your dog. Cook it anyway you like, sans seasoning as they often contain harmful ingredients. Be diligent to pick out the bones as they can puncture a dog’s gastrointestinal tract.
• Eggs: These can actually soothe an upset stomach and are a great source of protein. They must be fully cooked.
• Beef: This red meat is the most common ingredient in store bought dog foods and with good reason. It is packed with proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Feed this to your dog without adding seasonings. If you give bone-in beef to your dog, make sure you supervise.
• Pork: This is highly digestible with plenty of amino acids. If your dog is trying to put on weight, pork is a good option as it has more calories per pound than any other meat. It’s also unlikely to cause allergy.
• Fish and shrimp: This provides a great boost of good fats and amino acids. Salmon has tons of vitamins and protein. Sardines have a nice dose of calcium and soft digestible bones! These two types are the best of the lot. Unlike some other meat options, seafood must be fully cooked before serving with bones and shells removed. Salmon oil is a great way to augment a dog’s diet. Its omega fatty acids promote strong immune and cardiac systems. It also is proven to improve cognitive function.
• Lamb: This is a fairly novel ingredient in the dog food world, but it has proved to be a favorite. Because this red meat is fairly indistinguishable from beef in both taste and texture, dogs with some of the pickiest palates enjoy it. Lamb meets the quota for amino acids and both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
• Organ meat: This is considered an animal byproduct. Many people may flinch at the sight of the word “byproduct”, but byproducts act as a great protein source for dogs. Byproducts made up of animal organs and entrails are packed full of vital nutrients--high quality fats and proteins.

VEGETABLES

When choosing a store-bought dog food, it’s best to find one with a vegetable as one of its first ingredients. Similarly, we like going veggie-heavy on the homemade food. Here are some good choices:

• Broccoli: This is full of vitamin C and fiber. It does, however, contain isothiocyanates which causes gastric irritation. Reactions range from mild to severe depending on the particular dog. The stalks of broccoli may also obstruct a dog’s esophagus. Best to serve this in moderation.
• Brussel sprouts: These are excellent for humans and equally so for dogs. They do, however, produce intestinal gas. So, yes, your pup can consume these. Just be warned about the impending gassiness.
• Carrots: These are loaded with fiber and beta-carotene, making them an excellent low cal snack. Plus, dogs love the fun, crunchy texture, which also has the added benefit of improving dental health.
• Celery: This is a snack high in vitamins A, B, and C. It also supports a healthy heart and defends against cancer. And it promotes fresh doggie breath.
• Green beans: These can be served any way--chopped, steamed, canned, or raw. They’re bursting not only with fiber but also with important vitamins and minerals. If you’re opting for canned, also be sure to choose the no-salt option.
• Peas: These contain protein and fiber and are high in vitamins and minerals. There are sundry peas available on the market, and all are healthy and safe for dogs. You can even serve them frozen on a hot day for a refreshing snack.
• Spinach: This is fairly safe for our furry friends but not recommended. It’s high in oxalic acid, which prevents calcium absorption and leads to kidney damage.

GRAINS

Grains are safe and healthy in moderate amounts. Be wary when feeding your dog carbohydrates. The extra calories from them lead to weight gain.

• Bread: This is perfectly safe for dogs. Whole grain or plain bread can be an occasional treat.
• Plain Oatmeal: This is a great source of fiber and some vitamins and minerals. Moderation is key because too much leads to weight gain.
• Rice: This is easily digested and good to mix in with the main protein. It can even help with an upset stomach.

COOKING METHODS

• Steam: When introducing vegetables, you should steam them to soften the fibers. Steamed chicken or fish is also a delicious, nutritious addition to any meal.
• Puree/ Grind: Pop fruits and vegetables in the blender for a fruit or veggie puree. Grind entrails and organ meats and serve them raw so they retain all their rich nutrients.
• Slow cook: This is a low effort, low budget option. It only takes a few minutes to toss in ingredients and the slow cooker, or crockpot, does the rest. Dogs love whatever comes out. You can cook a couple weeks’ worth of dog food in a day!
• Stir fry: This is a quick way to cook and combine a handful of different ingredients into one meal. Preheat the wok or pan with a tablespoon of olive oil. Combine ingredients and stir until ingredients are cooked through.