Ditch the Bagged Pet Food
How Homemade Dog Mush Can Boost Your Pet's Nutrition and Help Them to Achieve Better Gut Health and Dietary Balance Too
The Benefits of Making Your Own Dog Mush
As pet owners, we want the very best for our furry friends, especially when it comes to their nutrition. While store-bought dog food can be convenient, it often falls short of providing the wholesome, gut friendly and balanced diet your dog deserves.
As a degreed nutritionist, the same advice I offer my client’s to limit over processed and packaged foods to achieve better healthy gut balance applies for our pets too.
Besides-what your dog can't tell you-it's damn boring and stale for them to eat the same old packaged foods every day too- just like it is for their humans:(
Enter homemade dog mush — a customizable, nutrient-packed alternative that ensures your canine companion gets the quality and variety they need to thrive.
Here’s a breakdown of the benefits of making your own dog mush, along with an example recipe I make for our dog Sully to get you started.
First here’s a bit more background on why I take the time to do this for Sully.
Why Make Your Own Dog Mush?
1. Control Over Ingredients
Making your own dog food allows you to control exactly what goes into your pup’s bowl. You can avoid artificial additives, preservatives, and fillers often found in commercial pet food, giving you peace of mind that your dog’s meals are pure and wholesome.
2. Improved Nutrition
By tailoring meals to your dog’s needs, you can ensure they get the right balance of protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. This is especially beneficial for dogs with allergies, sensitivities, or specific health conditions.
3. Freshness and Quality
Homemade meals mean fresher ingredients, which translate to better taste and higher nutritional value. Freshly prepared food can also improve your dog’s coat, energy levels, and overall health.
4. Cost-Effective
While some premium dog foods can break the bank, making your own mush can be a more economical option, especially if you buy ingredients in bulk or use seasonal local produce or from your own garden.
Price out your ingredients and then compare to fresh store brands like Farmer’s Pet and others in the refrigerated pet food section and you’ll see what you can save!
5. Bonding Time and Rewarding
Preparing your dog’s meals can be a rewarding experience and a great way to strengthen the bond with your pet. Knowing that you’re actively contributing to their health and happiness is incredibly fulfilling. Our dog knows when it’s mush making time and doesn’t leave my side!
Meet Sully, my kitchen assistant and official taste tester!
Example Recipe: Homemade "Sully" Dog Mush
This recipe is balanced, nutritious, and easy to make. Adjust portions based on your dog’s size, age, and activity level. I batch cook a full pot on weekends for the week ahead and vary the ingredients slightly according to what I have on hand.
For example, in this week’s recipe I didn’t have fresh or frozen green beans and spinach, or chicken livers/turkey hearts which I sometimes also cook and add in to the mush. I also sometimes swap the chicken or beef for canned salmon or mackerel as the main protein source.
Today’s Ingredients:
Protein: 1 pound of lean ground turkey (+ 1lb chicken/beef +½ cup chicken livers or turkey hearts)
Vegetables: 1 cup of chopped carrots, 1 cup diced yam, 1 cup green beans, 1/2 cup canned pumpkin (unsweetened) and spinach
Whole Grain: 1 cup of cooked brown rice or quinoa, few tablespoons of ground flax, brewers yeast, wheat germ to boost nutrition
Healthy Fats: 1 tablespoon of olive oil, fish oil, coconut oil
Supplements (optional): A pinch of ground eggshell for calcium, or a veterinarian-recommended multivitamin. I also add a teaspoon of organic turmeric and cinnamon as well.
Instructions:
1. Cook the Protein: Brown the ground turkey in a skillet over medium heat until fully cooked. I don’t drain the fat because I buy lean meats, but you can drain any excess fat. I also add in a tablespoon of coconut oil here or what you prefer.
2. Prepare the Vegetables: You can steam or boil the carrots and green beans until tender separately but usually I just throw them into the mush pot after the protein is cooked. Add the spinach if you have it and pumpkin closer to the end and cook for another 1-2 minutes. Allow to cool before blending or mashing. I cook my brown rice separately because it takes more time, then add it towards the end.
3. Combine the Ingredients: Mix the cooked protein, vegetables, and cooked brown rice or quinoa in a large bowl. Stir to combine and add in any supplements or extras here. This is where I add the turmeric, cinnamon and nutritional/brewers yeast. If mush is too thick or not thick enough, adjust by adding water here or sometime I’ll add bone broth for additional nutritional boost. This is where I ‘mush’ or mash up with a potato masher too after mixing to further break down the veggies (not shown).
4. Portion and Store: Divide the mush into meal-sized portions. Store in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for longer storage. I've also tried scooping the mush onto wax paper using a meatball scoop once its cooled and freezing then bagging in a ziplock freezer bag but it's more work and the container method shown here saves this step.
Tips for Success:
Consult Your Veterinarian:Before switching your dog to homemade food, discuss your plans with a veterinarian to ensure the recipe meets your pet’s nutritional needs.
Introduce Gradually: Transition slowly from store-bought food to avoid digestive upset. Mix small amounts of the homemade mush with their regular food and increase gradually. We actually have to put a hard chew toy / pretzel in with our dog’s food especially when it’s mush time to slow down how fast he eats.
Again, he’s a lab he’ll eat anything and everything fast!
[Sidebar] We tried the puzzle/maze dish thing to slow him down while eating and he couldn’t be bother and just slipped it over and resumed eating!
Monitor Your Dog’s Health: Keep an eye on your dog’s weight, energy levels, and coat condition to ensure the new diet is agreeing with them.
Final Thoughts
Making your own dog mush is a labor of love that can lead to a healthier, happier pet. By investing a little time and effort into their meals, you’re not just feeding your dog; you’re nourishing their well-being and creating a lasting bond.
So why not give it a try?
Your pup will thank you with wagging tails and plenty of love. Share if you find this helpful!
Comment below if you have your own favorite dog mush recipe or if you try this one let me know what you pup thinks!