Best dog supplements for homemade food

December 22, 2021

The most serious risk of preparing homemade meals is nutrient insufficiency.

Many commercial dog food brands already include nutrients, however dealing with dog supplements for homemade dog food is a little more difficult.

If you read my articles regularly, you'll know that I post homemade dog food recipes every week.

PetHonesty 10 in 1 Dog Multivitamin - Glucosamine Essential Dog Supplements & Vitamins - Glucosamine Chondroitin, Probiotics, Omega Fish Oil - Dogs Health & Heart- Dog Health Supplies (Chicken)
  • 10 BENEFITS IN 1 DAILY CHEW - Our 10 in1 Multivitamin chews combine a well-rounded blend of essential vitamins and supplements for dogs' overall daily health including glucosamine, probiotics, vitamins, and omegas. Vitamins A, C, and D3 have antioxidant properties that help improve your dog's immune system and keep their heart strong and healthy.
  • JOINT HEALTH WITH GLUCOSAMINE - These soft chews have high amounts of glucosamine and other joint support ingredients that may help reduce joint inflammation caused by normal activity. These chews may help increase mobility and flexibility in your dog by providing building blocks for synovial fluid, cartilage, and connective tissues.
  • HELP IMPROVE DIGESTION AND SKIN - Our chews contain 1 Billion CFU probiotics and pumpkin, which help keep your dog's digestive system and digestive tract running smoothly as well as targeting root causes of skin irritation. Their coat health is also supported by eggshell meal and omegas from krill oil, which can help heal dry, itchy, and flaky skin and increases coat strength, shine, and overall health.
  • PET HONESTY PLEDGE: A taste your pet will love & results you can trust. Made with the most effective natural + other premium ingredients. Formulated without corn, wheat, or soy. No artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors.
  • MADE IN THE U.S.A. | NASC MEMBER COMPANY: All Pet Honesty products are made in the US with US and globally sourced ingredients and are produced in a GMP compliant facility that meets the highest safety standards so you can rest assured you're giving your pet the best quality product possible! Pet Honesty is also a NASC member company meaning it’s met the highest quality and compliance standards for pet supplements.
The Wolf Child Co. Lion’s Liver and Bone - Multivitamin Food Supplement for Dogs - Organic Lion’s Mane Mushroom, Grass-fed Beef Liver & Bone | Energy, Immune, Brain, Bone & Joint | 30 Day Supply
  • FORMULATED WITH LOVE, BACKED BY SCIENCE - Formulated with biologically appropriate human grade ingredients for your dog’s optimal health, performance and vitality that also honors the planet and treats animals ethically and humanely.
  • MADE WITH THE HIGHEST STANDARDS - Sourced from 100% GRASS-FED 100% GRASS-FINISHED cows raised on REGENERATIVE farms in New Zealand. NEVER ANY fillers, flow agents, or additives. GMO free, hormone free, and third-party tested for purity. Low-temperature, enzyme digested and vacuum dried to preserve the biological activities of delicate nutrients, peptides, enzymes, and growth factors.
  • GRASS-FED LIVER & BONE - NATURE'S SUPERFOOD provides vitamins and minerals to support your dogs strength, bone and joint, heart, immune system, energy, mobility, and vitality. MCHA is also a natural source of calcium, phosphorus, collagen glucosamine and chondroitin.
  • BRAIN AND IMMUNE BOOST - A healthy brain and nervous system is the key to optimal health. Organic Lion’s Mane Mushroom has been shown to support cognition, mood, brain and nerve growth as well as a healthy immune system.
  • EARTH BORN INGREDIENTS - Sourced from earth born ingredients with the intention that our wolf children get everything they need to reach their full potential just like nature intended.
Hill's Prescription Diet i/d Low Fat Digestive Care Chicken Flavor Dry Dog Food, Veterinary Diet, 17.6 lb. Bag
  • Hill's Prescription Diet i/d Low Fat Digestive Care Dry Dog Food is specially formulated by Hill’s nutritionists and veterinarians to support your dog’s digestive health
  • Clinically proven to calm and soothe the digestive tract
  • Highly digestible, low fat formula
  • Helps improve digestion and ensure easy nutrient absorption
  • Prebiotic fiber helps promote beneficial microflora

I'm frequently inundated with emails from pet owners asking which dog supplements should be added to the recipe for a well-balanced meal after I publish them.

The essential supplements in a homemade dog food recipe will vary greatly depending on your dog and the recipe. Some recipes will also address your dog's health concerns, if any.

Some homemade recipes contain all of the vitamins and minerals that a dog requires, but this is extremely rare.

Most recipes will not, and it can be difficult to discern which are which.

To shed some light on this important aspect of the homemade diet, I decided to share this guide on dog supplements for homemade dog food.

In the video above and the text below, I'll discuss which pet supplements should be added to homemade dog food recipes and when, how these dog supplements may alter over time, and the best resources to utilize while attempting to figure it all out.

Why Do You Need Homemade Dog Food Supplements?

Even the best dog food recipes advised by veterinarians and canine nutritionists (such as those in our free eBook) can not always provide a dog with enough vitamins and minerals.

Depending on the components used, each homemade dog food recipe will be unique and give different vitamins and minerals.

What dog supplements for homemade dog food you need to use will be determined by two factors: (1) nutrients lacking in the recipe's ingredients, and (2) your dog's current health and individual needs.

200 homemade dog food recipes were tested in a 2013 study from the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. The recipes originated from a variety of sources, including pet care books, internet, and even veterinary textbooks.

Adding Dog Supplements to Homemade Dog Food Can Be Difficult

PetHonesty 10 in 1 Dog Multivitamin - Glucosamine Essential Dog Supplements & Vitamins - Glucosamine Chondroitin, Probiotics, Omega Fish Oil - Dogs Health & Heart- Dog Health Supplies (Chicken)
  • 10 BENEFITS IN 1 DAILY CHEW - Our 10 in1 Multivitamin chews combine a well-rounded blend of essential vitamins and supplements for dogs' overall daily health including glucosamine, probiotics, vitamins, and omegas. Vitamins A, C, and D3 have antioxidant properties that help improve your dog's immune system and keep their heart strong and healthy.
  • JOINT HEALTH WITH GLUCOSAMINE - These soft chews have high amounts of glucosamine and other joint support ingredients that may help reduce joint inflammation caused by normal activity. These chews may help increase mobility and flexibility in your dog by providing building blocks for synovial fluid, cartilage, and connective tissues.
  • HELP IMPROVE DIGESTION AND SKIN - Our chews contain 1 Billion CFU probiotics and pumpkin, which help keep your dog's digestive system and digestive tract running smoothly as well as targeting root causes of skin irritation. Their coat health is also supported by eggshell meal and omegas from krill oil, which can help heal dry, itchy, and flaky skin and increases coat strength, shine, and overall health.
  • PET HONESTY PLEDGE: A taste your pet will love & results you can trust. Made with the most effective natural + other premium ingredients. Formulated without corn, wheat, or soy. No artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors.
  • MADE IN THE U.S.A. | NASC MEMBER COMPANY: All Pet Honesty products are made in the US with US and globally sourced ingredients and are produced in a GMP compliant facility that meets the highest safety standards so you can rest assured you're giving your pet the best quality product possible! Pet Honesty is also a NASC member company meaning it’s met the highest quality and compliance standards for pet supplements.

In general, it makes little difference where you receive your dog food recipes.

Whether you choose something from our list of finest recipes or something advised by your veterinarian, it is possible that it will not be completely nutritionally balanced. Most will contain a fair balance of calories and macronutrients (protein, fat, carbohydrates), but no vitamins or minerals.

Every recipe's ingredients will give certain vitamins and minerals. You will need to add vitamins to your dog's diet in order to attain that recommended quantity. This means you should educate yourself with your dog's nutritional needs and how much homemade food to feed your pet ahead of time.

Don't Forget to Make Adjustments As Necessary.

Even if you've figured out the exact ratios and your recipes are now perfectly balanced, you may need to make little tweaks from time to time.

Many factors influence the nutrients your dog's body need from each meal and what you should include in your homemade dog food. It is most typically determined by your dog's age, weight, breed, environment, exercise level, medical history, and current health status.

For example, if your dog has recently been diagnosed with a disease, you will need to modify his or her diet as well as the supplements he or she is taking.

Furthermore, in addition to the ingredients used in recipes, the preparation and storage of those homemade dog food meals will alter the nutrients included in the recipe.

Heating and freezing certain homemade dog diets, for example, may damage some nutrients.

You can figure out all of the dog vitamins for homemade dog food that you'll need by doing some research and arithmetic.

Even if you have the time to conduct all of your own research, I strongly advise you to see a canine nutritionist about your pet's homemade diet.

Commonly Asked Questions About Homemade Dog Food Supplements

Do you need quick answers to your queries about homemade dog food supplements?

We've carefully compiled the most frequently asked questions and answers to provide you with the most crucial information regarding doggy vitamins.

What Are the Supplements Required for Homemade Dog Food?

The Wolf Child Co. Lion’s Liver and Bone - Multivitamin Food Supplement for Dogs - Organic Lion’s Mane Mushroom, Grass-fed Beef Liver & Bone | Energy, Immune, Brain, Bone & Joint | 30 Day Supply
  • FORMULATED WITH LOVE, BACKED BY SCIENCE - Formulated with biologically appropriate human grade ingredients for your dog’s optimal health, performance and vitality that also honors the planet and treats animals ethically and humanely.
  • MADE WITH THE HIGHEST STANDARDS - Sourced from 100% GRASS-FED 100% GRASS-FINISHED cows raised on REGENERATIVE farms in New Zealand. NEVER ANY fillers, flow agents, or additives. GMO free, hormone free, and third-party tested for purity. Low-temperature, enzyme digested and vacuum dried to preserve the biological activities of delicate nutrients, peptides, enzymes, and growth factors.
  • GRASS-FED LIVER & BONE - NATURE'S SUPERFOOD provides vitamins and minerals to support your dogs strength, bone and joint, heart, immune system, energy, mobility, and vitality. MCHA is also a natural source of calcium, phosphorus, collagen glucosamine and chondroitin.
  • BRAIN AND IMMUNE BOOST - A healthy brain and nervous system is the key to optimal health. Organic Lion’s Mane Mushroom has been shown to support cognition, mood, brain and nerve growth as well as a healthy immune system.
  • EARTH BORN INGREDIENTS - Sourced from earth born ingredients with the intention that our wolf children get everything they need to reach their full potential just like nature intended.

The supplements you require will be determined by the ingredients in your homemade dog food. Most people, for example, will require calcium supplements.

However, you can avoid this by adding crushed eggshells.

Should I Include Vitamins in My Homemade Dog Food?

Never include human vitamins in your homemade dog food. Dog vitamins, on the other hand, can be added to homemade dog food.

What Are the Best Homemade Dog Food Ingredients?

The finest components for homemade dog food, according to pet parents, will include high-quality protein sources, healthy carbs like vegetables or grains, fat, calcium, and vital fatty acids.

Do Vets Recommend Making Your Own Dog Food?

Hill's Prescription Diet i/d Low Fat Digestive Care Chicken Flavor Dry Dog Food, Veterinary Diet, 17.6 lb. Bag
  • Hill's Prescription Diet i/d Low Fat Digestive Care Dry Dog Food is specially formulated by Hill’s nutritionists and veterinarians to support your dog’s digestive health
  • Clinically proven to calm and soothe the digestive tract
  • Highly digestible, low fat formula
  • Helps improve digestion and ensure easy nutrient absorption
  • Prebiotic fiber helps promote beneficial microflora

Some veterinarians may recommend homemade dog food, but it is dependent on your ability to provide the nutrients your dog requires.

If you feed your dog homemade dog food, you must exercise extreme caution to ensure he receives a well-balanced diet. That is why vitamins and regular vet visits are essential.

Is it cheaper to make your own dog food?

Making your dog's food from scratch can be less expensive, but this is not always the case. Because you want to focus on high-quality ingredients, the cost per serving may be higher than you expect.

Making the cuisine at home, on the other hand, allows you to buy goods on sale and get creative to cut costs.

What Minerals Do Your Dog's Diet Require?

In different amounts, your dog requires calcium, potassium citrate, sodium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium phosphates, zinc, iron, copper, manganese, chelated trace elements, selenium, zinc, copper, selenium, and iodine.

Can Any Multivitamin Be Used to Fill Nutritional Gaps in Your Dog's Homemade Food?

No. You must carefully select the supplement to ensure that it fills any nutritional gaps in your dog's diet. This entails nutrient analysis of your recipes.

Related Post
Learn how to create a happy, healthy home for your pet.

Copyright © Fur Genius. All Rights Reserved

linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram