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Life gets busy—especially life with a dog. More than one pet parent has found the dog food bag empty at dinner time. But when you’ve run out of dog food and you’re panicking, take a deep breath. You probably have the ingredients to put together an acceptable emergency meal replacement.
We spoke to Dr. Nell Ostermeier, DVM, a licensed veterinarian and veterinary advisor at Figo Pet Insurance, to learn what pet parents can safely feed their dogs when regular dog food is temporarily unavailable. Here’s what you need to know.
What Can You Feed Your Dog Instead of Dog Food?
Your dog’s bowl doesn’t have to stay empty just because your last bag of dog food is. Chances are good that your fridge or pantry has something to satisfy your dog’s hunger until you’re able to restock their food supply. Here are some safe dog-food alternatives.
Pantry items
- Canned chicken or tuna in water
- Canned vegetables (rinsed or salt-free)
- Peanut butter (xylitol-free)
- Plain steel-cut or old-fashioned oats (cooked)
- Whole grains like brown rice and barley
- Whole-wheat or gluten-free pasta
- Gluten-free grain alternatives like millet and quinoa
Refrigerated foods
- Cooked eggs
- Cottage cheese
- Lean meats like chicken, turkey, or beef
- Mild, aged cheeses like parmesan or cheddar
- Plain, low-fat Greek yogurt
Fresh produce
- Chopped fresh veggies like carrots, celery, and cucumber
- Cooked green vegetables like broccoli and green beans
- Cooked potatoes and sweet potatoes
- Cooked squash like pumpkin and butternut squash
- Fresh chopped or sliced melon
- Peeled, sliced bananas
- Peeled, cored apples, and pears
- Washed berries like blueberries and strawberries
What Not To Feed Your Dog
When preparing a dog food substitute, avoid ingredients that are toxic or harmful to dogs. Some foods may be safe in small amounts—like high-fat proteins and refined grains. But the following ingredients should be avoided entirely.
- Artificial sweeteners
- Avocado
- Blue cheese
- Chocolate
- Corn on the cob
- Cooked bones
- Dried fruit like raisins
- Fruit pits and seeds
- Garlic
- Grapes
- Macadamia nuts
- Mushrooms
- Onions and chives
- Potato peels and raw potato
- Yeast dough and bread
- Xylitol
How To Make a Meal When You’re Out of Dog Food
A meal replacement for dogs isn’t going to match the nutritional balance of a high-quality canned food or kibble. But the right protein and grain ratio can soften the impact of a sudden diet change on your dog’s stomach.
According to Dr. Ostermeier, to put together a balanced meal replacement, combine two parts meat or protein to one part grain and vegetables. For example, mix two cups of cooked lean meat with one cup of cooked sweet potatoes. Or one cup of scrambled eggs with a half cup of canned green beans.
Dr. Ostermeier offers the following guidelines for how to feed your dog when you run out of dog food.
- Avoid ingredients your dog is allergic to, plus anything your dog’s health status prevents them from eating.
- Cook all the ingredients separately so you can keep the portions in check when mixing up individual meals.
- Keep added fat to a minimum—extra fat can trigger stomach upset and increase your dog’s risk for pancreatitis.
- Opt for salt-free or low-sodium pantry items when possible. Rinse canned vegetables to remove extra sodium.
- Let the ingredients cool before mixing up your dog’s meal. Then store the leftovers in the refrigerator to keep the food fresh.
How much should I feed?
Putting together a substitute meal for your dog is only half the battle. There’s also the question of how much to offer.
If you’re up for the challenge, you can insert the ingredients into a calorie-counting app and estimate the caloric density of your meal replacement.
Otherwise, it’s easiest to go by volume. Dr. Ostermeier recommends matching the volume of your dog food substitute with that of your dog’s regular meal. “If you’re feeding two cups twice per day,” she explains, “feed two cups of the temporary prepared diet twice per day.”
Your homemade diet probably won’t be an exact match for your dog’s current food, so be ready to make adjustments. “If your dog seems hungry after the meal,” says Dr. Ostermeier, “you might need to offer a bit more or an extra meal.”
How Long Can You Feed a Dog Meal Replacements?
You ran out of dog food but managed to put together a reasonably balanced meal replacement to get your pup through the day. Now what?
At this point, you may be wondering if you can just feed your dog chicken and rice every day. Or even stick with a diet of homemade food instead of dog food.
While it’s better to feed your dog a substitute meal made up of dog-safe human foods than to let them go hungry, Dr. Ostermeier says you shouldn’t feed a temporary diet longer than a week without talking to your vet.
If you make a habit of feeding your dog from the fridge, you could put their health at risk. Commercial dog food products are made to meet specific nutrient levels established through careful research. It’s difficult to achieve the same nutritional balance with homemade diets, even when you’re being careful.
Malnutrition is a serious risk, not to mention the challenge of determining exactly how much to feed your dog. Offering too much or too little can be just as harmful as getting the nutrients wrong.
In short, it’s best to get back to your dog’s normal diet as soon as possible. But if you’ve been feeding the temporary diet for a few days, a gradual transition can be easier on their stomach. Consider mixing some of your dog’s regular food into their substitute meals. Start with small amounts, then increase the ratio over several feedings until you’re back to your dog’s old diet.
If you find yourself having to rely on dog food alternatives regularly, consult your veterinarian to make sure your dog’s health doesn’t suffer.
