2 Natural Dog Food Recipes

Making natural dog food recipes at home provides healthy food for your pet, and it's very easy to do. Simply balance his proteins, fats and carbohydrates with the occasional mineral or vitamin supplement to add more nutritional value.

The following is a basic guideline of ingredients needed to feed your dog healthy meals. You will have to gear them according to his size and the amount of food he typically eats per day.
Stock up on Proteins, Grains and Vegetables

Cooked ground lamb, poultry and beef are ideal for mixing into natural dog food recipes. Use quality organic meats free of hormones, chemicals and antibiotics.

Pass on vegetables high in oxalic acid since they will interfere with your dog's ability to absorb calcium; stay away from spinach, rhubarb and swiss chard.
Wholesome ingredients to incorporate into your dog's diet

Quick cooking grains:

* Rolled oats
* Cornmeal
* Bulgur
* Whole-wheat
* Couscous
* Quinoa

Other grains:

* Brown rice
* Barley
* Millet
* Wheat berries.

Frozen vegetables:

* Cut green beans
* Lima beans
* Corn
* Peas

Fresh cooked vegetables:

* Finley grated carrots or zucchini
* Yams/sweet potatoes
* Baking potatoes
* Broccoli

Tip: Natural dog food recipes can sometimes lack enough calcium. Sprinkle a bit of eggshell powder into your dog's food to make sure he gets enough.
Two Natural Dog Food Recipes

Recipe for a medium to large-sized dog:

* 1 to 1 ½ cup roasted chicken pieces, cut small
* ½ cup cooked, shredded carrots
* ½ cup cooked, green beans
* 1 tablespoon plain, organic yogurt
* 1 cup cooked barley

Recipe for a small to mid-sized dog:

* ½ cup ground lamb, beef, or poultry
* ½ cup brown rice
* ¼ cup lentils or split peas
* ¼ cup cooked peas
* 1 teaspoon canola oil

2 Wheat Free Dog Treat Recipes

Dog treat recipes are useful ways of making healthy and fun snacks for your pet. They allow you to better control the foods that your dog eats, as some types of dog treats contain a variety of ingredients that are difficult to monitor completely. If your pet is allergic to wheat or has some other type of sensitivity, it's a good idea to avoid store bought dog treats. Instead, try one of these wheat free dog treat recipes for a good alternative for your pet.
1. Salmon Dog Treats

Salmon is a great source of many different vitamins and minerals. The salmon is a fatty fish that is rich in omega 3 fatty acids. These help to benefit your dog's body in a number of different ways. Salmon is a good alternate protein source from the standard beef, chicken and lamb that most dogs eat in regular food. To make delicious salmon dog treats for your pet, combine the following ingredients:

* 8 ounces of salmon juice
* 1 tsp dill weed
* 3 eggs, including shells
* 1/2 cup sesame seeds and 1/2 cup flax seeds, ground finely
* 1-1/4 cup oat flour

Mix all of the ingredients in a food processor and then spread them out as a dough. Roll out the dough and cut the treats into small squares. Bake them in the oven at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, or until they are firm enough to retain their shape.
2. Pumpkin Carob Treats

Pumpkin is another food item that is rich in nutrients for your pet. Many dogs love the taste of pumpkin, because it provides them with a very different flavor and texture from standard dog food. For this recipe, be sure to only use carob chips, because chocolate is highly poisonous to dogs and should be avoided at all costs. To make pumpkin carob treats, combine the following ingredients:

* 1 can of mashed pure pumpkin (not spiced pumpkin pie mix), 15 ounces
* 1/2 cup dry powdered milk
* 3/4 cup rice cereal

Mix the ingredients in a food processor until they are thoroughly blended. Drop the mixture out onto a baking sheet in small, bite size bits. Top each one with a single unsweetened carob chip, if desired. Bake the entire baking sheet at about 300 degrees for 15 minutes, or until the drops have partially solidified.

Before giving your dog any of these treats, be sure that they are completely cool. It's important to check in with the vet before giving your pet any type of treat, because some treats contain items that your pet may be sensitive or allergic to. Don't overfeed your pet when it comes to treats, because this is one of the primary ways that many dogs develop problems with being overweight or obese. Exercise moderation when using treats to help train your pet.