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Cooking for Your Dog: Intermediate Option

Between Kibble and BARF:
  • Homemade cooked food.
  • Cooked meat + carbohydrates + vegetables.
Advantages:
  • Controlled ingredients.
  • More "natural" than kibble.
  • No BARF risks (cooked).
  • Customizable.
Disadvantages:
  • Preparation time.
  • Needs balancing.
Let’s see 5 basic recipes.

The Principles of Homemade Food

Balanced Composition

For healthy adult dogs:
  • 50-60% animal proteins (meat, fish).
  • 20-30% carbohydrates (rice, potatoes).
  • 10-15% vegetables.
  • 5-10% fats and supplements.

Always Present Ingredients

Proteins:
  • Chicken, beef, turkey, fish.
Carbohydrates:
  • Rice, potatoes, sweet potatoes.
Vegetables:
  • Carrots, zucchini, pumpkin.
Fats:
  • Olive oil, fish oil.
Calcium:
  • Yogurt, any supplements.

The 5 Weekly Recipes

Recipe 1: Chicken and Rice

For a 20 kg dog, one serving (500 g):
  • 250 g boiled chicken (without skin, bones).
  • 150 g boiled white rice.
  • 50 g cooked carrots.
  • 50 g cooked zucchini.
  • 1 teaspoon fish oil.
Preparation:
  1. Boil the chicken for 20 minutes.
  2. Cook the rice.
  3. Steam the vegetables.
  4. Mix everything together.
  5. Let it cool.

Recipe 2: Turkey and Sweet Potatoes

Same serving:
  • 250 g cooked ground turkey.
  • 200 g cooked sweet potatoes.
  • 30 g cooked spinach.
  • 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil.
Pro: digestible.

Recipe 3: Lean Beef and Quinoa

  • 200 g cooked lean beef.
  • 150 g cooked quinoa.
  • 100 g pumpkin.
  • 50 g cauliflower.
  • Oil.
Pro: varied.

Recipe 4: Fish and Potatoes

  • 250 g cooked cod or salmon.
  • 150 g potatoes.
  • 80 g peas.
  • 30 g carrots.
Pro: omega-3.

Recipe 5: Eggs and Rice

  • 3 scrambled eggs (without butter).
  • 200 g brown rice.
  • 100 g zucchini.
  • 50 g carrots.
Pro: high protein, economical.

Quantities

Calculation

For healthy adult dogs:
  • 2.5-3% of body weight per day (for homemade cooked food, denser).
Example for a 20 kg dog:
  • 500-600 g/day.
  • Distributed in 2 meals.

Variation by Activity

  • Sedentary: 2.5%.
  • Active: 3-4%.
  • Puppies: 5-7%.

Mandatory Supplements

Mineral Balancing: Calcium:
  • 1 tablespoon of yogurt per day.
  • Or specific supplements.
Omega-3:
  • 1 teaspoon of fish oil.
Vitamins:
  • Possible multi-vitamin supplement for dogs.
Veterinary Nutritionist:
  • Consult them for customization.

What NOT to Give

  • ❌ Onion, garlic.
  • ❌ Chocolate.
  • ❌ Grapes, raisins.
  • ❌ Avocado.
  • ❌ Excess salt.
  • ❌ Spices.
  • ❌ Fatty foods.
  • ❌ Cooked bones.

Storage

Fridge: 2-3 days. Freezer:
  • 2-3 months.
  • Small portions.
Thawing:
  • In the fridge, never at room temperature.

The Transition

From kibble to cooked food:
  • Gradual change over 10 days.
  • 25% → 50% → 75% → 100%.

Costs

Homemade Cooking:
  • 100-200 €/month.
Quality Kibble:
  • 50-100 €/month.
Difference: 50-100 €/month.

Benefits

After 4-8 weeks:
  • Shinier coat.
  • Smaller stools.
  • Better digestion.
  • Dog more "satisfied" with food.

Special Situations

Allergic Dog

Exclusion Diet:
  • One protein only.
  • Veterinarian.

Diabetic Dog

Special Balancing:
  • Veterinary nutritionist.

Puppies

Need more nutrients:
  • Possible but with consultation.

Myths to Dispel

Myth 1: "Cooked is always better than kibble". False: If well done, yes, but quality kibble is also good. Myth 2: "Just meat is enough". False: Balancing is necessary. Myth 3: "No carbohydrates for dogs". False: Omnivorous dogs benefit.

The Truth

Cooking for your dog is: ✅ Intermediate option (no industrial kibble, no raw BARF). ✅ Controlled ingredients. ✅ Dog is "satisfied". ❌ Requires time. ❌ Needs balancing. Strategy:
  • 5 recipes in rotation.
  • Supplements (calcium, omega-3).
  • Nutritionist consultation.
Investment:
  • Time: 1-2 hours/week.
  • Cost: 100-200 €/month.
Benefit:
  • Healthy dog.
  • Better coat.
  • Optimal digestion.
And remember: well-made homemade food = excellent choice. Improvised homemade food = problems. Consult a veterinary nutritionist for personalization. ```