Are Dog Food Recipes only for Newbies?

Over the past 25+ years, my approach to feeding my dogs has developed significantly. I have experimented with different ratios, generic recipes, commercial raw, homemade cooked and raw meals, and prioritizing variety over time. Therefore, when I now follow the National Research Council guidelines for my dogs' diet, it comes after extensive experience with various other feeding methods with my previous dogs. I share my journey because I believe that many individuals who use alternative approaches may assume that those following NRC guidelines do so out of fear of trying different methods. Rest assured, I have explored a wide range of feeding strategies!

While some individuals believe that adhering to a recipe is only necessary for beginners and becomes unnecessary with experience, I believe that a nutritionally complete (NRC) recipe aligned with nutrient guidelines as opposed to food/ingredient guidelines can significantly impact optimal nutrition. When interacting with clients, I often witness their surprise when a slight alteration in their diet necessitates a supplement or reduces the need for one. This phenomenon is particularly common in cases of small dogs with low food intake or large dogs with efficient metabolisms, as achieving all necessary nutrients through food alone can be challenging. Once individuals have followed a balanced recipe and grasped the significant impact of minor adjustments on overall nutrition, most are reluctant to return to estimating proportions.

All dogs have some genetic uniqueness, all breeds- including mixed breeds -have some sort of genetic predisposition. Within the breed, there is still individual uniqueness.

Dog Food Recipes

Remember that initially almost any change from processed food to fresh food may show up with positive external results – shiny coat, firm stools, and perhaps better energy. Fresh foods provide powerful nutrition and that means even an unbalanced diet is going to look great- at first.

Consider these questions when exploring different feeding approaches:

*If your dog cannot handle the recommended bone percentage in the diet ratio and you reduce it to avoid hard stools, is the calcium intake still adequate?

*If you need to include a lot of bone to maintain firm stools, are you potentially overdoing calcium and other minerals from the bone?

*If your dog struggles with the suggested organ meat percentage, leading to loose stools or vomiting, reducing or omitting these nutrient-rich meats may result in a decrease in essential vitamins and minerals.

*If you increase organ meat consumption to prevent constipation due to its affordability, consider the potential excess intake of minerals such as iron or copper.

*If you substitute lean meats with fatty raw meaty bones and cuts due to cost constraints, ensure that your dog's amino acid requirements are still being met.

*Are you providing enough Vitamin D if you feed oily fish primarily for its omega-3 benefits?

I have seen dogs suffering from imbalances caused by unbalanced diets.

Some owners unknowingly fed their dogs excessive fat in the diet, leading to pancreatitis in breeds prone to it, while an excess of bone affected skin and coat health due to mineral interactions, and high organ meat consumption resulted in elevated liver enzymes.

Despite feeding what seemed like a well-rounded diet on paper, including grass-fed and organic ingredients, many dogs experienced issues like dirt eating, vomiting, shedding, weight loss challenges, mucous stools, and constipation.

Adjusting the diet to meet NRC requirements resolved these issues. This is a common occurrence, which is why I advocate for balanced diets over relying solely on variety and ratios. When problems arise, it can be challenging to identify the necessary adjustments to correct course.

Recipes are not just for beginners; they are for knowledgeable dog parents. Given our struggles with our own diets as a society, it is understandable that we seek guidance when nourishing another species.