Add Fresh Food to your Dog's Diet with Pureed or Chopped Veggies and/or Fruit
- Top Blender Experts
- Feb 20, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 20, 2024
Fresh food may be added to your dog's diet, and this can provide vital nutrition and important vitamins which would otherwise be in lesser quantity inside canned food.
However, this isn't a substitute for a well rounded diet of a dog's food that may also include a regular food diet, canned food, and/or kibble.
In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of fresh food, and in particular, veggies that your beloved pet can be fed. Bon appetit to your pet!
Contact Your Veterinarian or Veterinary Nutritionist Beforehand
Before adding any vegetables or fruit to your dog's diet, it is absolutely essential to consult with your veterinarian or veterinary nutritionist to determine which foods (veggies, fruit, meats, fish, or any fresh foods) have the right balance of nutritional benefits, and which fresh foods can be fed raw but not whole (i.e. veggies sliced into little pieces), and those fresh foods that need to be avoided altogether, and any fresh foods that may need cooking or steaming.
It is safest to consult with your veterinarian before feeding your dog raw meals consisting of vegetables, fruit, meat, or otherwise.
What to Watch for When You Feed Raw Vegetables to your Dog
The quantity and quality of fresh food, veggies, and/or fruit need to be balanced, so that feeding your dog is a healthy and positive experience.
The vegetables need to be cut into little pieces, and possibly cooked and/or pureed. Do ask your veterinarian about which specific vegetables to avoid.
Benefits of Vegetables for Dogs
Dogs vegetables such as sweet potatoes, green beans, carrots are beneficial and packed with nutrients and minerals, but may also need a food processor or blender to get the fresh veggies sliced into little pieces or pureed, in order to obtain maximum benefits towards your dog's health.
Supplement Your Dog's Kibble Diet with Veggies
Kibble in your dog's diet may lack necessary moisture which could cause dehydration, and to avoid kidney disease, it is important to provide your dog regular food, wet food, and veggies, in addition to proper hydration.
Please consult with your veterinarian about what to feed your dog, and also how much. The quantity, and the types of food that your dog should eat and drink needs to be determined by your veterinarian or pet nutritionist.
Should You Feed a Homemade Diet of Pet Food?
Before feeding your dog a homemade diet or recipe of pet food, including any fresh food, vegetables or fruit, always consult with your veterinarian and veterinary nutritionist. You need to also check scientific guidelines and standards on animal nutrition through reliable sources such as: the National Research Council (NRC), the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), and FEDIAF.
How to Prepare Vegetables for Dogs
The vegetables need to be washed, and any seeds or leaves removed.
Since dogs cannot digest a lot of raw plant matter due to their inability to break down the cell walls of plants, the vegetables should be cut into small pieces, cooked, blanched and/or steamed, and/or blended in order to puree healthy dog food.
Why Pureed Vegetables May be Good to Add
As canines, dogs have the ability to tear flesh due to their sharp canines, and therefore are not designed to chew their meal very well.
Wild dogs or wolves regularly ingest the stomach contents of their prey in the wild, and those contents have pre-digested vegetables inside.
Dogs aren't able to break down the cellulose in vegetables, and slicing and/or pureeing those vegetables helps with the eating process, as well as with processing through their digestive tract.
Choosing your Veggies and Fruit
Some vegetables may need some cooking or steaming before chopping or blending them. Examples of veggies with a good amount of nutrients would be: butternut squash, carrots, sweet potatoes, green beans. Do not feed onions to your dog or pet.
There are a number of leafy greens (e.g. spinach) that may cause oxalate stones so the given quantity (if given at all) needs to be checked with your veterinarian. Some other human foods such as steamed and cooked broccoli (chopped too!) can be beneficial for your pet.
Fruit like berries (blueberries, strawberries, etc.) are high in antioxidants and can keep your pet's brain functioning well.
Possible Fish or Meat
Cooked fish like salmon, white fish, or cod can be good for your dog, which gives an excellent source of Omega-3 fats in your pet's diet.
Cooked liver can be given in small quantities which can supplement a pet's diet, and this has a healthy amount of vitamins and minerals.
How much should you feed?
Please check with your veterinarian on the quantity of fresh food or vegetables that is appropriate for your dog or pet.
How to Prepare Homemade Food for Dogs
Your dog requires healthy ingredients and a strong immune system. It's not good or easy for dogs to eat whole fresh foods or most veggies or fruit. At the very least fresh foods should be chopped, or pureed. The life force of the food remains intact without cooking the vegetables. When you puree dog food, your dog is able to access the essential nutrients, minerals, and vitamins for a healthy diet.
Cooking destroys many natural enzymes found in fresh, raw vegetables, but your dog can generally digest cooked vegetables quite well. So when deciding what to feed your dog, there is a balance that needs to be maintained on whether to cook (or slightly cook) vegetables, and for how long, or whether to simply chop up the vegetables into little pieces without any cooking.
Some Types of Blenders and Processors For Dog Food Puree
Below are some dog food blenders and mixers that can help chop or puree fresh food.
Consult with Veterinarian or Pet Nutritionist Before Modifying or Adding Foods, Veggies, or Fruit to your Dog's Diet or Pet's Diet
Please consult with your veterinarian about what to feed your dog, and how much. The quantity, and the types of food that your dog should eat and drink needs to be determined by your veterinarian or pet nutritionist.
Here are some classy KitchenAid Blenders!
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