DIY Nutrient Mixes for Homemade Dog Food – Getting the Balance Right

More dog owners are choosing to make homemade food to get control over ingredients and avoid processed kibble. However it’s not nutritionally sufficient to simply cook up meat and vegetables for your dog. Just like humans need a balanced diet dogs require the right blend of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients in their meals.

This is where DIY nutrient mixes come in – they allow you to customize homemade recipes while ensuring your dog’s unique nutritional needs are met.

The Importance of Complete Nutrition

Dogs need around 40 essential nutrients in their diet. If homemade meals lack just one of these nutrients, it can cause health issues over time Deficiencies and imbalances put dogs at risk for

• Impaired immune function
• Liver or kidney problems
• Skin irritation and coat issues
• Joint inflammation and musculoskeletal disorders
• Impaired growth and development

Providing the right levels of vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and amino acids is crucial, but tricky to achieve through DIY recipes alone. This is why a complete nutrient mix is vital.

What’s in Dog Nutrient Mixes?

DIY nutrient mixes are specially formulated with the right blend of:

• Vitamins – Such as A, B, C, D, E, and K to support immunity, growth, cognition and more.

• Minerals – Including calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, iron, zinc, copper, and selenium These aid bone health, metabolism, oxygen transport, and enzyme function

• Amino acids – Such as lysine and taurine, which dogs cannot synthesize on their own.

• Healthy fats – Omega fatty acids from fish and plant oils to nourish skin and coat.

• Prebiotics and probiotics – To support healthy digestion and immunity.

• Antioxidants – To neutralize cell damage from free radicals.

Reputable brands use high-quality, human-grade ingredients tested for safety and efficacy. Vegan mixes without synthetic additives are also available.

Choosing a Nutrient Mix

If you want to cook homemade dog food, a DIY nutrient mix is essential. Here are tips for choosing one:

• Seek out brands developed alongside veterinary nutritionists to ensure proper formulations.

• Look for mixes made with human-grade, natural ingredients. Avoid artificial preservatives or fillers.

• Check for an AAFCO statement on the label ensuring nutritional adequacy.

• Select probiotic strains matched to canine microbiomes.

• Consider your dog’s life stage – some brands offer puppy vs adult formulas.

• Pick packet sizes tailored to your dog’s weight and recipe batch sizes.

• Compare costs relative to quantity. Bulk packages may offer savings.

Well-known dog food companies like JustFoodForDogs and The Farmer’s Dog now sell DIYnutrient mixes to complement homemade recipes. There are also smaller brands to explore.

Using Nutrient Mixes for Balanced Homemade Dog Food

Follow these steps to utilize nutrient mixes:

• Get recipes. Reputable brands provide recipes formulated for use with their mix. Or work with a canine nutritionist.

• Add mix to food. Follow label instructions on how much mix to stir into each recipe batch according to your dog’s weight.

• Mix thoroughly. Ensure mix is evenly distributed throughout the food before serving.

• Adjust as needed. Increase or reduce amount if your dog gains/loses weight.

• Store properly. Keep unused mix in a cool, dry place in original packaging.

With the right homemade recipes and nutrient mix additions, you can be confident your dog is getting a complete and balanced diet. Consult your veterinarian for guidance on recipes and products tailored to your dog’s needs. Investing in their daily nutrition will pay off in better health and happiness!