3 Homemade Ketogenic Dog Food Recipes
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Ketogenic diets have become very popular in recent years, and not just for humans. Dog owners are increasingly considering switching their pups to fat-burning keto diets. If you’re one of them, you’ll want to learn all about this special diet and how to make sure your dog is getting the best nutrition possible.
That’s where this guide comes in! Whether you’re starting your dog on a ketogenic diet or just looking for a new keto recipe, you should be able to find the perfect ketogenic dog food recipe on this list. We’re also covering all the basics of the ketogenic diet, including the best ratio and ingredients to use. Scroll down to learn how to make ketogenic dog food—and get vet-approved recipes!
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What is a Keto Diet?
A keto diet is made up of lots of fat, a medium amount of protein, and very few carbs. The theory behind this diet centers on ketosis, a metabolic state where the body runs out of carbohydrates and starts burning fat instead.
For dogs, this diet may replicate an ancient scavenger diet, which would have involved eating lots of meat and very little carbs, with periods of fasting in between.
What are the benefits of a keto diet?
Keto diets may help your dog lose weight or fight diabetes and seizures. It may also help your dog fight off cancer—though this hasn’t been proven. If you’re not sure if the keto diet is right for your dog, we recommend talking to your veterinarian.
Ketogenic Dog Food Basics
To put together ketogenic dog food, you’ll need to consider your dog’s individual dietary needs and food sensitivities. How many calories does your dog eat every day? You’ll also want to adjust the proportions if your dog has cancer or other illnesses. Talk to your vet about illness-specific diets.
Once you know how much food you need, you can calculate the ingredients using a ketogenic ratio. A good starter ratio is 70% fat, 25% protein, and 5% carbs. To get enough fat, you can use coconut oil, butter, or tallow. Protein sources can range from beef and chicken to turkey or pork. Vegetables like peppers, broccoli, and zucchini are a good source of minimal carbs.
The 3 DIY Ketogenic Dog Food Recipes:
1. Raw Ketogenic Dog Food Recipe
Looking for a simple starter recipe? This raw ketogenic dog food recipe is a great place to start. Combine ground beef, coconut oil, and red cabbage to make healthy and inexpensive dog food.
2. Frozen Keto Dog Food Pucks
Want to make ketogenic dog food that lasts a long time and is always ready? Try this recipe, which involves freezing raw pucks of keto food. Pull one out an hour before mealtime and your dog will enjoy a keto feast!
3. Keto Pumpkin Dog Balls
If you’d like to supplement your dog’s diet with ketogenic dog treats, we have just the recipe. Whip up these grain-free pumpkin dog balls, full of plenty of fat (coconut oil) and protein (peanut butter) to give your pup a healthy treat!
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Conclusion
We hope this guide has helped you understand keto dog food and learn how to make keto dog food of your very own! No matter what your dog’s specific dietary needs are, we’re sure one of these ketogenic dog food recipes will do the trick. Tweak the proportions to suit your dog (with the help of a veterinarian) and you’ll have the perfect dog food!
Looking for more dog food recipes?
- 10 Homemade Grain-Free Dog Food Recipes (Vet-Approved)
- The Best Homemade Dog Food Recipes for Skin Allergies
- 4 Homemade Raw Dog Food Recipes (Vet-Approved)
Featured Image Credit: Tatjana Baibakova, Shutterstock
