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What are you making your dog for brunch this weekend?
No, really! Why not try out DIY dog food? There are a ton of reasons that making dog food at home may be a good idea for you and your pooch.
1. Your dog’s diet needs variety, just like yours
Feeding your dog the same kibble day in and day out means they’re getting the exact same nutrients in the same proportions all the time. But variety is a good thing!
Some dogs may experience GI distress when new foods are introduced, but that might be a sign that they need more variety, not less. Try slowly introducing new foods, if this is a source of concern.
For an easy starting place, check out these recipes for making dog food in your InstantPot, or whipping up super-healthy bone broth at home. This post is a helpful resource about a dog’s nutritional needs for DIYers.
Click below if you prefer a hard copy cookbook for your kitchen.
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2. DIY’ing can save you money
From BARK: “A 15- pound bag of high-end dry dog food costs approximately $42, and a 5.5 oz. can of high-end wet food runs approximately $2. Feeding a medium-sized dog two cans of wet mixed with two cups of dry food costs about $5 per day.”
But following this recipe will cost you about $2.25/day! That kind of savings adds up pretty dang quick.
3. Because Martha said so and that’s good enough for me
4. Do it for the ‘gram
Don’t front like you’ve never done something just so you could Instagram it. This is a two birds sitch: your pupper gets a treat and you get to look good on social media. Prove to everyone that you love your dog MORE.
Particularly photogenic (and trendy) are grain bowls. Extra points if you make yourself a matching bowl.
6. Your dog has dietary restrictions and you want to be sure their treats are yummy AND safe
(image via Tumblr)
Lots of dogs have special dietary needs, but that shouldn’t keep them from enjoying the occasional treat like any other dog. There are plenty of great recipes out there for all sorts of restricted doggy diets. Find a fun one fits your needs.
7. Your Instant Pot is collecting dust and you need an excuse to use it
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This doesn’t apply in my household; we use our Instant Pot constantly. But maybe you’ve fallen out of the habit, or you don’t have one yet and need one more reason to pop one in your shopping cart. Well, look no further. Instant Pots are great for making dog food.