For adult dogs and cats, the general rule is 2 to 3 percent of body weight. For a 50-pound dog, that translates to approximately 16 ounces of food, or 4 ounces of food for a 10-pound cat. These are just starting points; depending on whether your pet is gaining or losing weight, you may need to adjust up or down.
The Importance of Balanced Homemade Recipes
Working with a professional to determine your individual dog’s specific nutritional needs and how to best meet those needs is essential because not all homemade dog food recipes will provide all of the nutrients that your dog needs.
In a recent study, researchers tested 200 homemade dog food recipes, many of which were written by veterinarians.
They found that only 9 of them provided all of the essential nutrients in the right concentrations to meet the minimum standards set for dogs by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
The National Research Council’s (NRC) minimum requirements for adult dogs were only met by 5 of the recipes, and only in the right proportions.
This is not to say that recipes are bad; in fact, most of them hardly ever meet those nutritional requirements without packing on extra calories.
It implies that in order to make your homemade dog food meals balanced, you must add supplements to them.
Some of those will be specifically chosen for a dog breed or medical condition.
For instance, you might need to include a joint supplement if your pet is prone to hip and joint problems.
Most frequently, multivitamin supplements, hip and joint supplements, omega-3 fatty acid (fish oil), Vitamin A & E, calcium, and additional protein supplements are advised to be added to homemade dog food recipes.
These will vary depending on your dogs condition. All dogs will benefit from some generic multivitamins and fish oils, but you should still speak with your veterinarian before using them.
Some good examples include the below:
FAQ About How Much Homemade Dog Food To Feed My Dog
Although it is simple to feed your dog homemade food, there are no benefits to homemade diets that have been proven by science. However, it can be a better diet in long term.
Commercial foods, like dry foods, contain all the necessary nutrients. However, it’s possible that your dogs won’t enjoy seeing and eating it every day. So, feeding them different kinds of food would make sense.
Your dog will undoubtedly enjoy the homemade food you prepare for them, but they will also benefit greatly from it.
Using Unsafe/Unhealthy Ingredients
You should be more selective when choosing the ingredients for the homemade dog food you prepare.
FAQ
How much homemade food do I feed my dog?
Feed your dog. In general, two to three percent of an adult dog’s body weight should be the serving size for a portion of homemade dog food.
How much food should I feed my dog chart?
What are dog feeding charts? Adult Dog Size (lbs)Dry Food Feeding Amount (Cups)26 to 502 to 2-2/351 to 752-2/3 to 3-1/376 to 1003-1/3 to 4-1/4100+4-1/4 plus 1/4 cup for every 10 lbs of body weight over 100 lbs
How much homemade dog food should I give my dog a day?
Serving sizes for homemade dog food Typically, dogs consume 2 to 3 percent of their ideal body weight in fresh food each day. Smaller breeds may require up to 4 percent, while larger breeds may only require 1 1/2 percent.
How much cooked chicken should I feed my dog daily?
For every 20 pounds of body weight, if you’re feeding your dog fresh dog food, you should give them between 1/4 and 1/3 cup of boiled chicken. Despite the fact that chicken is a great source of protein, you should make sure their diet also contains the right amount of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.