Has the recent spate of dog food recalls gotten you paranoid about what actually goes into your best buddy’s furry body? Wondering how to make homemade dog food so you can say goodbye forever to commercial, and often harmful, ones? Here are some suggestions on how to make homemade dog food so that both you and your canine pal are worry-free, and not to mention, toxin-free. It’s a great way to bond, too.

First of all, consult your veterinarian before making any kind of switch. Know also that it will take time for your dog to get used to the new menu so introduce your homemade dog food gradually, beginning with just a tiny fraction along with the commercially bought food he is accustomed to. Then slowly decrease the commercial dog food as you increase the food you prepared yourself, until the former is completely eliminated from your pet’s diet.

To ensure that your dog gets balanced nutrition for optimum health, give your pet a mixture of 40% meat, 30% vegetables, and 30% starch. Organs like the heart, the liver, and kidneys are especially healthy for your dog.

Ground eggshells are likewise nutritious and can be blended in with his meal. A popular mix is carrot, brown rice, and ground turkey. You may also replace the turkey with ground beef, add some brewer’s yeast, and you have a whole other menu right there. Variety is good.

Buy fresh meats like lean beef, stewing meats, boneless steak or roast, boneless stewing lamb, shank, leg of lamb or butt. For poultry, buy boneless, skinless chicken breast, fillet, or thigh.

Besides rice, pasta and oatmeal are excellent sources for starch. Other than carrots, choice veggies are fresh pumpkin, squash, sweet potatoes, yams, beets, parsnips, broccoli, zucchini, and cucumber. Chop them up into tiny pieces before serving.

Steer clear of peas, beans, chard, tomatoes, and bell peppers as they may bring about digestive problems or damage red blood cells. If you must use garlic, a natural flea repellant, make sure it is cooked and use it only sparingly as raw or spoiled garlic can be poisonous. Again, when in doubt, consult your vet. Avoid onions at all costs.

You can either serve the food in their natural state, or cook them lightly in a pan to prevent loss of vitamins and nutrients, so the meat’s natural juices are retained. If the veggies are a tad too hard, steam them lightly beforehand. Just don’t forget to cool the homemade dog food first before serving.

Prepare enough to last your dog two servings a day for three days. Do not exceed three days as the food will no longer be fresh by then. A good way to estimate the amount is to multiply your adult dog’s body weight by 0.4. The result is more or less the number in ounces he should be eating in a day. Once prepared, keep the food refrigerated when not in use.

Pretty simple, isn’t it? Just follow these tips and learn how to make homemade dog food on your own. Your dog will love you all the more for it.