How to Make Nutritious Homemade Dog Food for Liver Health
Introduction to Natural Liver Healing for Dogs
Hello and welcome back to my channel, Veterinary Secrets. If you’re new here, welcome! Click the link above to subscribe and hit the Bell to sign up for notifications. For all my returning visitors, I’m thrilled to share more invaluable advice on natural pet health and wellness. Today, we delve into an all-natural fresh liver diet designed to aid in your dog’s liver recovery. If you’re looking to enrich your knowledge about natural pet care, you’ve certainly come to the right place.
Optimizing Nutrition for Liver Health
When your dog is diagnosed with liver disease, the right diet can make a significant difference. The key is providing nutrients that are easy to digest; we want to minimize the liver’s workload to foster its regeneration and healing. Here are the essentials for a liver-friendly diet for dogs:
- Easily Digestible Nutrients: The primary goal is to avoid overburdening the liver, allowing it to heal more effectively.
- Liver-Supportive Nutrients: Ingredients like flavonoids are crucial as they offer anti-inflammatory benefits, speeding up liver recovery.
Traditionally, dogs respond well to freshly formulated home diets compared to kibble, showing a preference for cooked over raw diets.
Controversy Over Protein in Liver Diets
The topic of protein in diets for dogs with liver disease is contentious. Early in my practice, we were taught to severely restrict protein. However, this approach primarily addressed severe liver conditions like Porto-systemic Shunts (PSS), where higher protein levels could cause neurological issues. Yet, quality protein is vital for overall bodily functions and particularly for liver regeneration. The truth is, most dogs with liver disease do not have PSS, and a well-balanced diet with quality protein is beneficial for liver recovery.
Dietary Modifications for Liver Disease
One critical adjustment for a liver diet is reducing fat intake. The liver produces bile to help digest fat, so by lowering fat consumption, we reduce the liver’s workload. Here’s how we can create a balanced, liver-supportive diet:
- High-Quality Protein: Start with lean proteins like chicken. For this recipe, we use one pound of chicken breast, ensuring it’s cooked and chopped into small pieces.
- Beneficial Carbohydrates: Include two cups of sweet potatoes, which are rich in beta-carotene and vitamins A and C, known for their antioxidant properties that combat liver disease.
- Nutrient-Dense Vegetables: Add one cup of cooked kale, high in antioxidants and beneficial for managing blood glucose levels, which supports liver health.
- Additional Protein and Nutrients: Incorporate two cooked eggs for their protein and vital nutrients like vitamin E and choline, which aid in fat metabolism and are crucial for liver health.
- Essential Fatty Acids: Integrate omega-3 fatty acids from krill oil, which contain EPA and DHA—key components that reduce liver inflammation.
- Supplements for Balance: Enhance the meal with Dr. Jones’s Ultimate Canine Health formula or a standard adult multivitamin to ensure all nutritional bases are covered.
- Healthy Fats: Add a small amount of sunflower oil, a great source of vitamin E and beneficial fats that support liver health without overloading it with fat.
Cooking and Serving
Combine all ingredients, ensuring the diet is well-mixed and balanced. This recipe generally produces about six cups of food, suitable for varying dog sizes depending on their weight. For a 20-pound dog, you’d serve about half a cup twice daily.
Conclusion and Call to Action
Thank you for joining me today to learn about this effective liver healing diet for dogs. Don’t forget to subscribe for more insights and click below to receive a copy of my free book. Remember, the right diet can significantly improve your dog’s liver health, and with these guidelines, you can create a supportive, healing environment for your pet at home.
Do you cook sweet potato or grate it.
Stupid question I know.
Many veterinarians also recommend boiling them and removing the skin if your dog is sensitive to fiber or choking. There are several ways to make your own dog treats or foods, too. If you have a dehydrator, simply dehydrating sweetpotatoes
My 2 yr old chocolate lab does have pss. Are there changes that I should make to this diet? She is an extremely picky eater. I am not getting a lot of good advice from my et on a diet. Millie only weighs 40 lbs. I really need advice!
Dr. Jones.
Your recipe states that one must mix:
High-Quality Protein: chicken breast
Essential Fatty Acids: Integrate omega-3 fatty acids from krill oil
Healthy Fats: Add a small amount of sunflower oil
_______________________________________________________________
My questions are:
1) Is the chicken breast skinless?
Can one cook a whole chicken (to get nutrients from the bone) and give a hepatic dog dark meat chicken as well?
2) How much krill oil per pound of dog for the recipe itself, rather than “per serving”?
3) What do you consider a small amount of sunflower oil for an 80 pound dog?
Thank you very much!
With or without skin is good. For an 80-pound dog, a small amount of sunflower oil would typically be around 1 to 2 teaspoons
For Kril oil, check our Omega-3
https://shop.veterinarysecrets.com/supplements/ultimate-omega3-formula.html
Dosage recommendations:
Cats 5lbs and up: 1 softgel daily
Dogs up to 20lbs: 1 softgel daily
Dogs 20 – 50lbs: 2 softgels daily
Dogs 50 – 80lbs: 3 softgels daily
Dogs over 80lbs: 4 softgels daily
Can the food be frozen to last. This recipe would feed my dog for 6 days. Will it keep that long in the fridge?
Homemade dog food can be frozen to extend its shelf life beyond just a few days in the fridge. While the food will typically last around 6 days in the refrigerator, freezing it is a great way to keep it fresh for a longer period. You can portion it out and thaw as needed. This will help preserve both the nutrients and the food’s freshness. Be sure to add the supplement when your dog is ready to eat, rather than before storing the food in the fridge.
Looking through some of your other recipes, I’ve noticed that you also include a sodium and calcium supplement. Should I be adding those things to this diet as well? My pup has portal vein hypoplasia, and we have been making this recipe for him for several months now, along with a multivitamin and krill oil.
?Yes, adding sodium and calcium supplements to your dog’s homemade diet can be beneficial, especially for liver health. Calcium is essential for bone health and proper muscle function, while sodium helps maintain fluid balance and nerve function. However, it’s crucial to consult with your veterinarian to determine the appropriate types and amounts of these supplements for your dog’s specific needs, as excessive intake can lead to health issues. Incorporating a balanced multivitamin and omega-3 fatty acids, like krill oil, as you’ve been doing, also supports overall health.
I don’t see a source of calcium in this recipe. That seems problematic, doesn’t it?
You’re correct to be concerned about calcium in homemade dog food recipes, especially for dogs with liver issues. The recipe from Dr. Andrew Jones’ website doesn’t explicitly mention a calcium source, which is essential for bone health and overall well-being.
Calcium Requirements:
Adult dogs need approximately 800 to 1,000 mg of calcium per pound of food (excluding non-starchy vegetables) to maintain a proper calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, typically between 1:1 and 2:1. This balance is crucial, as meat-based diets are often high in phosphorus and low in calcium.
Calcium Sources:
To supplement calcium in homemade diets, consider the following options:
Ground eggshells: Rinse and dry eggshells, then grind them into a fine powder. Approximately ½ teaspoon of ground eggshell provides about 1,000 mg of calcium.
Bone meal: Contains both calcium and phosphorus. Ensure the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio is appropriate for your dog’s needs.
Calcium carbonate supplements: Available in various forms, these can be added to the diet to meet calcium requirements.
Thank you Danyll : )
My 48lb husky has a PSS. I make a recipe containing 1.25lbs of skinless boiled chicken breast, 2cups of cooked white rice, 1.5cups of zucchini, 1.5 cups of string beans, 1 cup of canned pumpkin, and 1/2cup of cooked rolled oats. I feed her 1 cup on the morning and 1 cup in the evening. She gets denamarin, ursadiol, and a multivitamin oh and fish oil on top based on her weight. This recipe lasts 3-4 days.
Huskys are super stubborn and picky eaters. I add egg white once a day but she doesn’t really care for it. Does this recipe seem safe and balanced?
Your homemade recipe for your 48lb husky with a portosystemic shunt (PSS) includes chicken breast, rice, vegetables, oats, and supplements, which are generally appropriate for liver health. However, to ensure it’s balanced and safe for PSS, consider the following adjustments:
Protein Sources: Lean proteins like skinless chicken breast are suitable. Avoid organ meats and dark meat, as they can be harder on the liver. Egg whites are good, but if your dog is picky, you might try other protein sources like turkey or white fish.
Carbohydrates: White rice and oats are digestible and provide energy. Sweet potatoes are also beneficial due to their antioxidant properties.
Vegetables: Zucchini and string beans are excellent choices. Avoid high-copper vegetables like spinach and mushrooms.
Supplements: Denamarin and ursodiol are appropriate for liver support. Fish oil provides omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial. Ensure the multivitamin is tailored for liver health.
https://shop.veterinarysecrets.com/supplements.html
Feeding Amount: For a 48lb dog, approximately 2.4 cups of food per day is recommended, divided into two meals. Adjust portions based on your dog’s specific needs and activity level.
Picky Eater Tips: To entice your husky, try warming the food slightly or adding a small amount of low-sodium broth. Consistency and patience are key.