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Multi Essentials for Pets – Nutritional Support
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Benefits of Home Cooked Pet Food

Pet Diet & Nutrition 3 min read
A dog holding carrots in its mouth,

If you’ve ever watched your pet look at you with those big, hopeful eyes as you’re cooking, you know they’d love to have a taste of whatever smells so good. While table scraps and human food aren’t the best for our fur kiddos, more and more pet parents have started making home cooked pet food as a way to make pets happier and healthier. Here are just a few of the benefits of going home cooked:

1. You Know Exactly What’s Going In

Transparency and peace of mind are a top priority for pet parents these days

Transparency and peace of mind are a top priority for pet parents these days. When you cook at home, you have complete control over what goes in – and what stays out of – your pet’s meals.

When you choose a commercial pet food, it isn’t always obvious where the ingredients come from, or what quality they are. Some foods contain artificial additives and flavors, and pet parents often prefer natural, wholesome ingredients for their fur babies. For some pet parents, this means taking the time to hand-select natural and organic ingredients of human-grade quality at their local grocery store.

2. Home Cooked Pet Food Can Be Healthier

Sometimes it’s not what’s in a commercial pet food that is concerning; it’s what’s missing from it.

Many commercial pet foods are cooked at extremely temperatures. Extremely high temperatures achieved in commercial pet food kitchens can damage delicate organic compounds that help keep the body healthy, like certain vitamins, antioxidants, and phytonutrients.

Additionally, many commercial pet foods take a “one size fits all” approach when it comes to nutrition. Seniors, different breeds, sizes, and pets with health conditions – they all have different needs.

Therefore, the biggest benefit of cooking pet food at home is the ability to tailor it exactly to your pet’s requirements. Whether they’ve got allergies, sensitivities, or health conditions, tailor-made home cooked pet food can make a big difference for their health and comfort.

3. It’s Better for the Environment, Too

Home cooked pet food gives you the opportunity to reduce packaging waste since many pet foods come in non-recyclable containers. By choosing green options from your local grocery store, you can reduce your carbon footprint (or pawprint).

Furthermore, it allows you to support local suppliers. Sourcing locally available ingredients such as fresh vegetables and meats reduces the carbon footprint associated with shipping and supports sustainable farming practices.

4. Showing Your Love

The way to any pet’s heart is through their stomach. The universal love language of all pets is definitely food. Think of how your fur kiddo comes running when it’s dinner time!

Your pet may also have particular tastes, and adjusting to their preferences can help them enjoy mealtime

Your pet may also have particular tastes, and adjusting to their preferences can help them enjoy mealtime each and every time. Got a pup that loves blueberries? Learn how to incorporate them in safe amounts for added health benefits! Want to know if your pet prefers beef or lamb? Get creative and offer them variety! Just do so under the guidance of an expert who can ensure your pet eats a nutritionally complete and wellness-promoting meal.

Get Vet-Written Home Cooked Pet Food Recipes

Before getting into home cooking, be sure to consult a vet or pet nutritionist. Pets have specific dietary needs that are different from humans and even other pets. The protein, fat, carbohydrate, mineral and vitamin requirements differ from not only between species of pets, but between individual pets! Size, age, special needs and health conditions all influence their needs – and these requirements needs expert guidance.

Thankfully, starting your home cooked pet food journey doesn’t have to be done alone. We offer personalized meal plans written by an expert vet who has extensive knowledge of both pet nutrition and how pet health conditions can influence their needs.

Want to start your home cooked pet food journey? Put your chef hat on and start your home cooked pet food journey by following this link:

Personalized Meal Plans

NHV Pet Experts

NHV Pet Experts

We have a dedicated group of pet expert professionals, including veterinarians, vet techs, and other pet professionals to guide you through any questions. We’re committed to your pet’s wellness and can offer additional tips, resources, nutritional advice, and more.

Published: November 14, 2024

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