Being overweight is as dangerous for your dog as it is for people. If you are trying to help your dog lose weight, this homemade dog food for weight loss It may be just what you need.
Did you know that many of the risks for overweight humans are the same for overweight pets? Diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, and respiratory problems are more commonly diagnosed in obese dogs.
According to the Association for the Prevention of Pet Obesity, about 59% of dogs in the US are overweight or obese. This equates to over 40 million dogs in this country alone that need to lose weight.
What we have to take away from this is that an overweight dog is a sick dog. If you want your pet to live the longest, healthiest life possible, you need to help him lose the extra weight.
Ask your veterinarian if this homemade dog food for weight loss would be a good solution for your dog’s weight problems. Your pup and this recipe will be evaluated to make sure he meets his unique nutritional needs.
Homemade dog food to lose weight
When your dog eats more calories per day than he burns, he gains weight. That’s common sense, right?
The reason I mention this is because you may need to adjust the portions you give your dog or increase the amount of exercise he gets each day. Your veterinarian will evaluate your pet and help you make some lifestyle changes that will make your dog healthier.
Before switching your dog to a homemade dog food for weight loss, you MUST consult your veterinarian. They can help you decide if a dietary change is necessary or if it’s just a matter of portion control and going for an extra walk in the evening.
Recipe: Homemade Dog Food to Lose Weight
This homemade dog food recipe to lose weight is made in a pressure cooker. You can see my review of the Cosori pressure cooker used in this video here.
You can also use a slow cooker or make this recipe on the stove. I prefer the pressure cooker because it’s quick and easy.
- Preparation time: 5 minutes
- Time to cook: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Produce: about 14 cups of food 1x
- Category: Cooked food
- Method: Pressure cooker
- Kitchen: Dog food
- Diet: Low in calories
- 2 1/2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken (minced)
- 1/2 cup carrots (chopped)
- 1 cup zucchini (chopped)
- 1 big or 2 small apples (cored and chopped)
With only four ingredients, this recipe would be a great option for pups with sensitive stomachs or food allergies. It’s as easy to make as it is healthy.
All you have to do is add the ingredients listed above to your pressure cooker. Set the pressure to high and let the recipe cook for 40 minutes.
Once it is safe to do so, open the pressure cooker and let the food cool completely before serving it to your pet.
Nutrition
- Portion size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 67
- Sugar: 1 gram
- Sodium: 27mg
- Fat: 1.3 grams
- Carbohydrates: 1.4 grams
- Fiber: 0.3 grams
- Protein: 11.8 grams
- Cholesterol: 31mg
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Serving Size Recommendation
You can serve this food to your dog as soon as it has cooled down. I recommend feeding about 1/2 cup of food for every 20 to 25 pounds of body weight.
This recommendation is 2 servings a day. So a 25 pound dog would eat about 1/2 cup in the morning and 1/2 cup at night.
This is just a guide.
The amount of weight your dog needs to lose, his activity level, and his health are all factors that determine how many calories he needs each day.
It is best to consult your veterinarian about the appropriate serving size for your dog. They will also help you evaluate the food to ensure it meets your pet’s unique nutritional needs.
If necessary, they will help you choose the best supplements and/or multivitamins to add.
How to store
You can store leftover homemade dog food for weight loss in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days or freeze it and it will keep for up to 3 months. Please note that this recipe does not include preservatives, so it will not last as long as commercial dog food.
For more information
We publish many homemade dog food and treat recipes each month. For more recipes, tips and advice on cooking pet food, check out our “Recipes” section.
If you are new to homemade dog food, I recommend reading more about “How Much to Feed” to understand serving sizes, “What Supplements to Use” to create well-balanced meals, and “How to Store” for tips. about homemade dog food, simple and easy to store in the refrigerator or freezer.
