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To keep the lights on, we receive affiliate commissions via some of our links. Our review process. One night I was stuck at home alone, without a car, and with two very hungry 70 pound boxers looking at me with those mournful “we haven’t eaten allll day” eyes. I hurried to the pantry only to find we were completely out of dry dog food and canned food! This got me thinking. In times of desperation, what are the right kinds of foods to feed pups in a pinch? Let’s say you’re out of food and unable to get to the store, out of money, on the road, or worse, impacted by a natural disaster. Dogs still have to eat, right? So what do you do when there’s no dog food to be found? We talked to Korinn Saker, DVM, PhD., DACVN*, and Associate Professor, Nutrition, with the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. If anyone knows what to whip up for a hungry pup, it’s Dr. Saker. Packaged Dog Food Is Nutritionally CompleteBefore you get cooking for your canine companions, an important note: Good-quality commercial dog foods are nutritionally complete and balanced to provide the right amounts of protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals your dog requires. The tips and recipes here will help you provide a healthy, dog-friendly meal “in a pinch”. These suggestions and meals, while all perfectly safe and healthy for your dog, are not 100% nutritionally complete and should not be fed for longer than 5-7 days – which should be enough time to get your dog back to their regularly scheduled feeding program. How To Make Homemade Dog Food From Vet Korinn SakerLife happens. And if you have a pup, chances are you’ll be stuck without dog food at least once in their lifetime. On those (hopefully rare) occasions, you can hit the pantry and freezer for kitchen staples to make healthy, temporary meals (and avoid starving-puppy eyes). Essential Dog Food Prep Tips
Dog Food Basics
Raid Your Pantry For Added Nutrition
Fridge And Freezer Items
Fruits And Vegetables Are Great Too
Foods To AvoidDefinitely avoid these foods and ingredients (check labels and packaging):
What About Just Using Another Dog’s Food?Is it safe to borrow a cup or two of dog food from your neighbor? For a generally healthy adult dog, a temporary food substitution is fine but…
Signs To Watch ForSudden changes in any pet’s diet can cause gastrointestinal distress. Watch for:
If they’re not feeling well, switch to a very basic diet of boiled chicken and rice or oatmeal. Learn more about how to switch your dog’s food safely. Ready To Get Cooking?Here are a few tasty recipes from Dr. Saker’s canine kitchen. All recipes below will yield enough food for one day and are based on the daily nutritional requirements of a healthy, 40 pound adult dog. Adjust portions for smaller or larger dogs. Always consult with your vet if you have any questions. Just don’t feed these substitute meals for longer than 1 week. Chicken & Rice Bowl Recipe
Serving size: Approx 6 cups (or 48 oz) Beef & Rice Bowl Recipe
Serving size: Approx 6 cups (or 48 oz) Sausage Breakfast Recipe
Serving size: Approx 6 cups (or 56 oz) Peanut Butter Breakfast Scramble Recipe
Serving size: Approx 6 cups (or 56 oz) Get Back To Normal Eating HabitsRemember, no matter how much your dog may dig this culinary adventure, don’t let them get used to it. (No matter how much they compliment your new recipes with kisses and wiggles!) Switch back to their nutritionally complete dog food as soon as you’re able for a happy, healthy pup with a full tummy! We recommend signing up for a dog food delivery subscription so you’ll have food auto-shipped to your home on a regular basis and never have to worry about adding it to your grocery list. Many of our team members are big fans of the fresh, human-grade food (that is delicious and balanced). Special thanks to Dr. Korinn Saker, DVM, PhD., DACVN, for her contributions to this article. Dr. Saker can be contacted at kesaker at ncsu.edu. *Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Nutrition Tagged With: DIY, Recipes
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