Freeze-dried dog treats and food

Owners wondering whether cooking for a dog is worth it usually look for recipes such as beef with buckwheat and broccoli, turkey with millet, or boiled potatoes as a source of carbohydrate. Those recipes are worth considering as an occasional meal, but without supplementation none of them adds up to a complete diet. A complete food solves that problem at source.

The Most Common Feeding Mistakes and Myths About Home-Cooked Dog Diets

The most common problem in a home-cooked dog diet is not the quality of the raw materials but the way meals are put together. Three mistakes come up again and again:

• Lack of balance. A diet of nothing but meat and rice looks healthy, yet it leads to a shortfall in calcium, iodine, zinc, copper and vitamin D.
• Too much fat. Fatty meat raises the calorie content of a portion, encourages excess weight and causes digestive problems in sensitive dogs.
• Lack of consistency. Meals put together from whatever is left in the fridge do not add up to a diet, only to a series of random dishes.

A few claims that circulate online and get repeated as facts are also worth setting straight.

You will sometimes read that home-cooked food boosts a dog's immunity through blood proteins. That is a shortcut with nothing behind it, because antibodies form in response to contact with an antigen, not as a result of how a meal was prepared. Diet affects immunity indirectly, through the condition of the intestinal lining and through covering the requirement for zinc, selenium or vitamin E.

Another repeated claim is that 20% of "healthy products" in a dog's diet is enough to improve its health. No study sets any such threshold, and the outcome depends on the balance of the whole daily ration, not on the share of individual additions.

A further myth says a dog's diet should be two thirds protein and one third vegetables. That is a simplification carried over from raw feeding. The FEDIAF nutritional guidelines do not work with proportions of that kind, but with specific amounts of protein, fat, vitamins and minerals calculated against the energy requirement of the individual animal.

It is also untrue that natural food cannot contain grain. The problem is not the presence of grain as such, but the situation in which cheap grain replaces meat and makes up most of the recipe. Dr Malou foods contain no grain, but that follows from the low-carbohydrate profile chosen for the recipes, not from any supposed harm in every kernel.

The last point concerns absorption. It is said that natural nutrients are better absorbed than synthetic ones. In practice that depends on the specific chemical compound and on what sits alongside it in the meal. The advantage of natural raw materials lies rather in the fact that alongside the vitamin itself they bring fibre, antioxidants and accompanying compounds into the bowl.

What Does Natural Dr Malou Dog Food Contain? The Key Nutrients

Dr Malou recipes rest on four groups of ingredients:

• Animal protein from human grade meat and offal, which forms the basis of the recipe.
• Fats naturally present in meat and fish, providing omega fatty acids.
• Functional plant ingredients supplying fibre, vitamins and antioxidants.
• Trace elements, minerals and vitamins added during production, completing the balance of a complete food.

Human Grade Meat and Offal in a Dog's Diet as a Source of Essential Amino Acids

Meat and offal provide the essential amino acids that a dog's body cannot produce on its own. An adequate amount of high quality animal protein supports the maintenance of muscle mass, tissue regeneration and general condition.

Human grade means the raw materials meet the standards set for food intended for people. Offal adds micronutrients that muscle meat contains only in small amounts: chicken liver is a source of vitamin A, B vitamins and selenium, while hearts provide taurine, which matters for the work of the heart muscle.

Is a High Meat Content in Dog Food Always Enough?

A high meat content on its own does not settle the quality of a food. Muscle meat is rich in protein and phosphorus but poor in calcium, iodine and some vitamins, so a product made up of meat alone cannot be a complete food.

Three things decide the value of a recipe at once: the share and quality of the meat, the presence of offal, and the addition of trace elements, minerals and vitamins. In Dr Malou foods those elements are added during production, once the raw material has been ground, and the whole recipe is composed in line with the FEDIAF guidelines.

Healthy Fats and Omega Fatty Acids in a Dog's Diet

Healthy fats are responsible for the absorption of vitamins A, D, E and K, and for healthy skin and a glossy coat. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids support the condition of the coat and the normal working of the nervous system.

In Dr Malou recipes they come mainly from fish, including wild Pacific salmon, and naturally from the meats used. Fish sources have an advantage over plant fats, because they deliver EPA and DHA in a form the dog uses directly. Linseed or rapeseed oil brings ALA, which a dog's body converts further with low efficiency.

Can Dogs Eat Vegetables? Natural Plant Ingredients in Dr Malou Foods

Yes, dogs can eat vegetables and fruit, and fresh vegetables in a dog's diet act as a source of fibre, vitamins and antioxidants. They do not, however, replace meat, and they are not a dog's main source of energy. Hard vegetables are used better when they are chopped or briefly cooked, because a dog does not digest cellulose and absorbs little from whole pieces.

In Dr Malou foods, each natural plant ingredient has a purpose:

• Pumpkin provides dietary fibre, vitamin E and B vitamins.
• Blueberry is a natural antioxidant and a source of vitamin C, vitamin K and manganese.
• Cranberry provides vitamin C and supports the urinary tract.
• Barley grass brings dietary fibre, folic acid and potassium.
• Yam powder regulates the working of the digestive tract.
• Egg yolk is a natural multivitamin and a source of biotin and lutein.

Carbohydrates and Grains in a Home-Cooked Dog Diet Compared With Dr Malou Recipes

In a home-cooked dog diet, carbohydrates usually come from grains and cooked starchy vegetables, and their job is to provide energy and bring down the cost of a portion. The most commonly chosen sources are:

• Buckwheat, gluten free and well tolerated by most dogs.
• Millet, also gluten free and suitable where the digestive tract is sensitive.
• Rice, easily digestible and usually used during gastrointestinal upsets.
• Boiled potatoes and sweet potatoes, given in moderate amounts and always cooked.

Dr Malou foods contain no grain and no maize. Their carbohydrates come solely from functional ingredients with a defined role, such as pumpkin or yam powder. A high meat content together with a low carbohydrate content helps to maintain a healthy body weight.

Fresh Ingredients in a Dog's Diet - Why Choosing the Right Ingredients Matters

In a home-cooked diet, meat should be fresh and come from trusted sources, and prepared meals have to be kept in the fridge and used within two or three days. Meat stored for too long loses its value and becomes a source of infection.

In freeze-dried food, the process itself solves the question of freshness. Removing the water halts the growth of microorganisms, so the product stays good for months without preservatives and without chilling. Every batch of raw material first undergoes laboratory testing and official veterinary inspection before it is accepted into the warehouse.

What Can Dogs Not Eat? Vegetables, Fruit and Foods Banned From Your Dog's Menu

Some foods that are safe for people are toxic to dogs and must never end up in the bowl:

• Onion, garlic, leek and chives damage red blood cells and lead to anaemia, and they are harmful in every form: raw, cooked and dried.
• Grapes and raisins can cause acute kidney injury, and no safe dose has been established.
• Chocolate contains theobromine, which a dog's body does not metabolise effectively.
• Xylitol, found in chewing gum and sugar-free products, causes a sharp drop in blood glucose.
• Macadamia nuts cause weakness, muscle tremors and vomiting.
• Avocado is considered harmful because of persin, which is a real danger mainly to birds; in dogs the problem is rather the stone, which can block the digestive tract, and the high fat content.
• Raw potatoes and the green parts of tomatoes contain solanine.
• Apple, plum and apricot pips are a source of cyanogenic compounds, which is why fruit is served without the core.
• Cooked bones splinter into sharp fragments that can injure the oesophagus and intestines.

Seasoned, salted and smoked dishes should not reach the bowl either. If your dog has eaten any of the foods listed above, contact a vet straight away rather than waiting for symptoms.

A Dog's Diet, Age, Weight and Activity Level - How to Choose Dr Malou Dog Food?

Nutritional needs change throughout an animal's life. It is worth basing your choice of product on four things: age, body weight, activity level and state of health.

Home-Cooked Food and Puppy Food Compared With Food for Adult Dogs

A puppy has different nutritional requirements from an adult dog. During growth it needs more energy and protein per kilogram of body weight and, above all, precisely set levels of calcium and phosphorus and the right ratio between them. Both a shortfall and an excess of calcium disturb skeletal development, and in puppies of large breeds the effects can be irreversible. That is the most common reason why a home-cooked diet during growth is discouraged without specialist supervision.

Needs shift at each stage of life:

• A puppy needs food with a higher calorie content and a strictly controlled calcium level; in the Dr Malou range that is Duck with Goat's Milk and Egg Yolk for puppies of small breeds.
• An adult dog needs a diet that keeps body weight stable; the options here are Duck with Pumpkin, Duck with Rabbit and Chicken with Pumpkin.
• A senior usually needs fewer calories while keeping the supply of easily digestible protein, and after rehydration the food becomes soft and easier to pick up.

How Do You Work Out Your Dog's Calorie Requirement and the Right Portion?

The right portion follows from the energy requirement, which four factors influence:

• Body weight. A larger dog needs more energy, but the relationship is not directly proportional to weight.
• Age. Growing dogs have a higher requirement than adult dogs and seniors.
• Activity level. A working dog or one training regularly burns markedly more than a dog with a quiet lifestyle.
• Physiological state. Neutering lowers the requirement, while pregnancy and lactation raise it considerably.

The rule that an adult dog should eat 2 to 3% of its body weight a day applies only to raw feeding and refers to meat containing about 70% water. It does not carry over to freeze-dried or dry food, because products with the water removed deliver many times more energy at the same weight. Portions of Dr Malou foods are given according to the feeding table on the packaging.

The best check on a portion remains the dog itself. Regular weight checks and feeling for the ribs let you adjust the diet faster than any calculator.

Food Allergies and Food Intolerances - How to Adapt Your Dog's Diet

With food allergies and food intolerances, choosing the right ingredients precisely is what counts. The basis of the approach is an elimination diet, in which the dog receives a single protein source for several weeks, ideally one it has not encountered before.

Products with short recipes help here. Single-ingredient Dr Malou treats contain only one type of meat or offal, and the complete foods have short, openly declared recipes, which makes it easier to identify the ingredient behind the symptoms. New ingredients are introduced one at a time, with the animal's reaction observed over several days.

Complete Dr Malou Foods - Balanced Meals for a Dog's Daily Diet

Complete foods can serve as the sole basis of a dog's daily diet. They cover the entire daily nutrient requirement and call for no additional vitamin and mineral preparations.

Every variety is also available in a small sample, so you can check whether your dog takes to the new ingredients before you reach for a larger pack. Complete Dr Malou foods may be combined with other complete foods, though the amounts then have to be recalculated, because the calorie content of individual products differs.

Freeze-Dried Dr Malou Soups - A Hydrating Meal in Your Dog's Bowl

Freeze-dried soups are complete wet food that turns into a thick, aromatic meal once water is added. Four varieties are available for dogs:

• Soup with duck and pumpkin, with an ingredient that supports digestion.
• Soup with duck and broccoli, adding variety to the daily diet.
• Soup with duck and blueberry, with a natural antioxidant in the recipe.
• Soup with duck and cranberry in the Urinary variety, supporting the urinary tract.

Soups work particularly well for dogs that drink little water and for animals with a reduced appetite, because a warm, moist meal smells more intense than dry food.

Freeze-Dried Dr Malou Treats for Dogs With Food Allergies

Treats are complementary food and cannot form the basis of a diet. Their share should match roughly 10% of the daily calorie requirement, and a feeding table adjusted to body weight appears on every pack.

The range for dogs includes several kinds of treat:

• Single-ingredient treats, one hundred percent meat or offal: Duck Breast, Lamb Liver and Salmon.
• Chicken wafers, easy to break into smaller pieces.
• Chicken lollies, which work well as a reward during training.
• Quail egg yolk, a valuable addition in raw feeding and an alternative for dogs allergic to hen's eggs.

A simple recipe has a practical use here. A single protein source lets you run an elimination diet without the risk that a training reward will skew the result. A meat and cheese treat, popular in shops, is not a good choice where dairy intolerance is suspected.

How Do You Serve and Portion Dr Malou Dog Food?

Freeze-dried food can be served to a dog in two ways:

• Dry, straight from the pack, as a crunchy meal or a training treat.
• Rehydrated, that is with a small amount of warm but not hot water added, which produces a moist meal within minutes, similar in texture to home-cooked food.

Rehydration increases the amount of water taken in with the food and strengthens the aroma, which helps when a dog is reluctant to eat. New food is introduced gradually over seven days, increasing its share of the existing ration so that the dog's digestive system has time to adapt.

Store the food in a dry, cool place away from sunlight, and close an opened pack tightly or transfer the contents into an airtight container. A fridge is not needed.

When Should You Discuss Your Dog's Diet With a Vet?

It is worth discussing your dog's diet with a vet or an animal nutritionist in several situations:

• The dog has a chronic illness or is recovering.
• It is losing or gaining weight despite unchanged portions.
• It has recurring digestive problems or the quality of its coat is deteriorating.
• You suspect a food allergy and are planning an elimination diet.
• It is a large-breed puppy during growth, or a pregnant or nursing bitch.

Dietary advice at Dr Malou is provided by Lucyna Traczyk-Sala, MSc Eng, an animal husbandry specialist and veterinary technician who has completed a course in animal nutrition and postgraduate studies in the psychology of companion animals.

Home-Cooked Dog Food and Freeze-Dried Food - Frequently Asked Questions

Can a dog eat home-cooked food every day?

Yes, provided the diet is properly balanced and supplemented. Meals put together without calculating the requirement for vitamins and minerals lead to deficiencies after a few months, even when the raw materials are of the highest quality.

Is a home-cooked dog diet better than prepared food?

A home-cooked diet is not better by definition. A well-balanced home-cooked diet and a good complete food give comparable results, whereas a home-cooked diet prepared without supplementation performs worse than an average prepared food.

Which vegetables and fruit can dogs eat?

Dogs tolerate carrot, pumpkin, courgette, broccoli, beetroot and spinach well, and among fruit, apple without the core and berries such as blueberries. Onion, garlic, leek, chives, grapes, raisins and raw potatoes are ruled out.

How does freeze-dried dog food differ from air-dried food?

Air-dried food is made by evaporating the water at raised temperature, while freeze-dried food is frozen first and the water is then removed under vacuum by sublimation. As a result, the freeze-dried product retains more nutritional value, its natural aroma and the structure of the raw material.

Can freeze-dried Dr Malou food make up a dog's entire daily diet?

Yes, if it is a product labelled as complete food. Such foods cover a dog's entire daily requirement. Treats are complementary food and should account for roughly 10% of the daily calorie intake.

Does freeze-dried food need supplementation like a home-cooked dog diet?

No. Complete Dr Malou foods are balanced in line with the FEDIAF guidelines and need no added vitamin and mineral preparations. In a home-cooked dog diet, by contrast, supplementation is essential.

Is freeze-dried food safe for dogs?

Yes. The microbiological risk is eliminated by combining sublimation under deep vacuum with computer-controlled heat treatment, and every batch undergoes laboratory testing and official veterinary inspection before it is accepted into the warehouse. Production holds BRCGS and IFS Food certification and works to the HACCP system and the ISO 9001 standard.

How do you start feeding your dog freeze-dried Dr Malou food?

The food is introduced gradually over seven days, mixed into the existing ration with its share increased each day. This pattern reduces the risk of diarrhoea and lets the dog get used to the new taste.

Can Dr Malou food be combined with other dog food?

Yes, complete foods can be combined with other complete foods. Both portions then need to be reduced accordingly, because the calorie content of products varies, and an excess of fat and calories in the diet leads to excess weight.