What can I feed my dog instead of dog food?

Maybe you ran out of your dog's regular meals (fingers crossed, it's not kibble), maybe you want to try something new, or maybe you're just bored of feeding your dog the same thing every day (I promise they're probably bored too). Whatever the reason may be, you've landed on this blog, and my job is to inform you that there are hundreds of different dog foods and human food combinations you can feed your dog that will leave them living longer, happier and healthier lives. As much as we'd love for me to sit here and list every possible combination and recipe in the book, I thought I'd break down 10 of the best foods to feed your dogs. Doing this will hopefully give you the motivation and confidence you may need to switch out your dog's regular meals for more home-cooked, healthy human-grade meals. Cooking for your dog can be as challenging as figuring out what to eat yourself, but breaking down their nutritional needs and what foods they can eat can help you start feeling more confident in what your dog is eating! 

Dogs have the same nutritional requirements as humans; their basic needs can be broken down into six categories: water, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. Each of these nutrients is important for a dog's health and well-being. There are many ways homemade dog food and high-quality ingredients work to play a crucial role in supporting your dog's immune system and digestive system. Further, it is important for pet owners to do their research on different types of foods and their benefits, as many ingredients can work to help various health issues or food allergies. 

It is also a good ideal to learn about different supplements that could aid your pet’s health and well-being, such as those from thepetlabco.com. 

Traditional commercial dog food is filled with many additives and preservatives, so it's important to research the pet food you're feeding your pup. Below is a list of eight foods your dog can safely consume that offer many different benefits.

Boneless Proteins 

The first ingredient that is a great addition to your dog's diet is boneless protein sources such as lean ground chicken, ground beef, ground turkey and ground lamb. Choosing a healthy, high-quality source of protein for your pup can improve their digestive system, mood, and energy levels. Boneless is always the best option for dogs as bones can pose a severe threat to your pup as they can easily choke on them. 

Sweet Potatoes 

Another excellent option for your homemade dog food is sweet potatoes. Veggies have numerous benefits when it comes to your dog's health, and one veggie that helps your dog stay full for hours is sweet potatoes, as they take a long time to break down. Sweet potatoes are high in fiber and rich in many different vitamins. It is essential to cook the sweet potato, though, as raw sweet potatoes can cause many health issues for your pooch. Further, feeding your dog sweet potato in moderation is important as they can cause weight gain if fed too regularly. 

Pumpkin

One of the best human foods for dogs is pumpkin, and this is because it is low in calories and high in fiber, beta-carotene and vitamin A. They are a great addition to your dog's diet that can also help relieve constipation and an upset stomach. 

Blueberries 

We love cooking with blueberries, and so should you! When trying to find the best dog food to add to your dog's homemade diet, berries are a great choice. Many berries, including blueberries, are low-calorie and filled with antioxidants and various vitamins that help support your pup's immune system and contribute to their overall health. Choosing blueberries as a new food to add to your dog's diet is a great choice that will leave them healthy and happy. If you're looking for quick and easy snack recipes with blueberries, head to our recipe page for some inspo!

Coconuts 

Coconuts are a fantastic ingredient to add to your homemade dog food. Coconuts have been shown to have numerous benefits on your pup's overall health by easing inflammation, reducing allergic reactions, improving digestion, improving skin and hair health, making their coat glossy and providing omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for a dog's health. Coconuts offer many different benefits and are an excellent snack for your dog, and dogs love the taste of coconuts. Since we know how much dogs love coconuts, we created a grain-free meal mix that incorporates coconut along with pumpkin, chickpeas and peas, making it the perfect combo for your pup. Plus, it smells amazing! If you'd like to take a look at our grain-free mix, click here and preorder today!

Peanut Butter 

Peanut butter is a fan favourite in the dog community and is a fantastic source of protein, healthy fatty acids, vitamin B and so on. Peanut butter is an amazing addition to your dog's diet that can keep them occupied for hours. However, it is essential to ensure the peanut butter you choose to feed your dog is all-natural, unsalted and raw. Many other peanut butter contain added sugars and sweeteners, which can be harmful to your pup.

Brown rice 

Another food that helps aid in digestion is brown rice. Brown rice is a great ingredient to add to your dog's diet and their homemade dog food as it is an amazing source of carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Moreover, many of the vitamins and minerals in brown rice are thought to be essential to heart health, improving your dog's overall lifestyle.

After reading this post, I hope you've gathered some information and inspiration on what to cook your dog next. If you ever need a little extra help, we have plenty of different blog posts on different food ingredients and their impact on your dog's health that you can turn to. Also, to make it even easier, each of our meal mixes makes it very simple to cook for your dog just by adding lean ground meat, water and oil. Happy cooking!