A dog owner may feed the dog food that the dog owner cooks or a raw food diet. All homemade dog food diets should follow some basic dog nutrition guidelines.

The contents of commercial dog food are vastly different than natural dog diet. Commercial dog food contains thirty to seventy percent carbohydrates even though a dog naturally eats less than thirty percent.

The homemade dog diet should imitate a dog’s natural nutritional needs. Homemade dog diets contain a lower percentage of carbohydrates than commercial dog food.

Rice, grains, and starchy vegetables are examples of carbohydrates that can be included in a dog’s diet. Carbohydrates should be cooked since dogs have difficulty digesting many of them.

Fat and protein are crucial ingredients for a homemade dog diet. A dog’s diet for adult dogs should be up to fifteen percent fat according to the Merck Veterinary Manual. Puppies need slightly more fat than adult dogs.

Protein is so important for a dog’s diet that if a dog does not get enough protein it can die. The protein content of a dog’s diet should be approximately twenty-five percent.

Chicken, beef, liver, turkey, and lamb are examples of good sources of protein for a homemade dog diet. However, dogs should not eat too much liver.

Many homemade dog diets contain some fresh, chopped vegetables. Many dog owners believe that their dogs need a significant amount of fiber. Dogs do not necessarily need fiber, but some fiber can be beneficial for digestion and maintaining proper body weight.

Grapes, chocolate, mushrooms, raw eggs, raisins, and raw fish are examples of foods that a dog should not eat. A veterinarian can answer questions about the nutritional needs for a specific dog. Some homemade dog diets are made especially for dogs that are pregnant or have health concerns.