5 basic rules for cooked feeding – your dog will thank you!

Five basic rules for cooked feeding

1. Aim for variety: build your dog’s diet from different vegetables, fruits, organ meats and meat sources.
2. Add calcium, unless you also provide raw meaty bones alongside cooked food (for example, a beef marrow bone as a chew).
3. If your dog is not very active and tends to gain weight, choose leaner meats and avoid cooking poultry skin and fat into the meals.
4. The less varied your dog’s diet is, the more likely they’ll need supplements.
5. Consult a vet or pet nutritionist who can review and approve the diet you’ve put together.

What your dog’s meal should ideally include

Meat & other animal products

These should make up about half of the cooked meal.
If your dog gains weight, don’t automatically reduce the portion first — increase activity and avoid fatty meats.

Raw meaty bones (optional)

If you choose to include them, they can make up up to one third of the overall feeding plan — but you should adjust the amount based on stool consistency.

If your dog isn’t allergic to chicken, chicken necks or backs can be fine.
If you’re worried your dog won’t chew properly, you can chop them with a cleaver and lightly crush them.

IMPORTANT:

• Never feed hollow bones (drumsticks, wings, etc.).
• Never feed cooked bones.
  Both can splinter and be dangerous.

“Meat-like” organ meats

For example, heart. Poultry, beef or pork heart can all work.
In this case, pork is fine because the meal is cooked.

Fish

A natural source of vitamin D, which often needs to be supplemented otherwise.
You can use canned fish too, preferably in water rather than oil (for example, sprats or small herring). Freshwater fish can also be a good option.

Organ meats (classic)

Liver is very important. It should make up about 5% of the meal if you feed it daily, or a bit more if you feed it every other day.
Cooked poultry liver is also nutritious, but beef liver is usually the best — and a small amount can last a long time.

Egg

An excellent “natural supplement” for most dogs. Chicken or quail eggs are both fine.
No need to give it daily — once or twice a week is perfect.

Dairy

Many people add yoghurt or kefir. Both can be a great choice — but ideally homemade or from a trusted source, because many store-bought versions contain very little probiotic content.
It’s usually better to avoid cheese, as it tends to be high in fat.

Vegetables & fruit

Even though wolves don’t pick apples or gather blackberries, vegetables and fruit contain valuable fibre, vitamins, antioxidants and nutrients — which wolves could also access through the stomach contents of their prey.

Fun fact: darker-coloured vegetables and fruits often contain the most nutrients.
We’ve made a list of safe and unsafe options — I’ll link it in the comments.

Starchy carbohydrates

Opinions differ here, but many dogs do need an appropriate carbohydrate source — just not corn or potatoes as the default choice.
Better options include high-quality brown rice, bulgur, millet or oats.
Important: cook them until very soft/mushy so they’re easier for dogs to digest.

Leafy greens & non-starchy vegetables

Low in calories and can be fed in generous amounts. Very helpful if your dog needs to diet but still has a great appetite.
In excessive amounts, they can cause gas… we all know what that means 😄

Broccoli and cauliflower may affect thyroid function, so these should always be cooked.
Other vegetables can be blended and mixed into the cooked food — which helps preserve vitamins and nutrients.

Grains

A controversial topic, but it’s true that grains may worsen allergy symptoms and inflammatory conditions in some dogs.
Some grains also contain gluten, which can cause digestive issues for certain dogs.
If you do use grains, consider gluten-free options like millet.

Supplements

Use supplements seasonally and in courses, based on your dog’s needs.

Have a healthy day!
Magyari Detti
canine herbalist