Prepper hacks: What to feed your dog when you run out of pet food

If you have a dog, then you know to include pet food in your survival stockpile. However, if an emergency lasts longer than you anticipated, your stocks may eventually run out.

When disaster strikes, expect grocery stores and supermarkets to be wiped clean of their stocks, including pet food. This means that restocking pet food in the middle of an emergency is likely to be impossible.

If you do run out of pet food, don’t fret. Dogs can eat some of the same foods humans eat. As long as you avoid excess sodium and fat, which can cause excessive thirst and digestive problems, your dog will thrive on “human” foods. Ideally, you should give your dog a balance of lean protein and complex carbohydrates.

The following dog food recipes feature foods rich in protein and complex carbohydrates, as well as fresh fruits, vegetables and grains for a well-rounded diet.

Recipe #1: Turkey delight

Turkey is a very rich source of protein. When cooked plain, it can be an essential part of a homemade dog food diet. This homemade dog food uses turkey as its main source of protein.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound ground turkey
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 pound baby carrots
• 1 small sweet potato
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth or water
• 1 cup brown rice

Preparation:

1. In a skillet, cook the turkey over medium heat until browned. Crumble it with a spatula as it cooks.
2. Add the sweet potatoes, rice, carrots and chicken broth or water. Cook over medium heat for 30 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, make scrambled eggs in a skillet. Add them to the pot. Stir thoroughly until combined.
4. Once cooked, let the food cool. Portion it into containers and freeze. Reheat when needed.

Recipe #2: Ground beef dinner

Beef is a healthy source of protein that can sustain your dog’s energy. It also provides the essential fatty acids that help give your dog a healthy coat and skin. This recipe features ground beef as the main source of protein.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 2 carrots, shredded
• 3 cups baby spinach, chopped
• 3 cups water
• 1 1/2 cups brown rice
• 1/2 cup peas, canned or frozen

Preparation:

1. Add the water to a large saucepan and cook the brown rice according to package instructions. Set aside.
2. In a skillet, cook the beef over medium heat until browned. Crumble it with a spatula as it cooks.
3. Add the vegetables, brown rice and spinach to the beef. Cook until the spinach has wilted.
4. Once cooked, let the food cool. Portion it into containers and freeze. Reheat when needed.

Recipe #3: Mutt meatballs

You can include these homemade meatballs in your dog’s meal. They also make great treats.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup almond flour
• 1/4 cup low-fat yogurt
• 1 Tablespoon fresh chopped parsley

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
2. In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients.
3. Form the mixture into meatballs and place them on the baking sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes.
4. Let the meatballs cool before adding them to your dog’s meal or giving them as a treat.

Recipe #4: Raw dog food

Some dog owners like to feed their dogs a raw-food diet because it helps promote shiny coats and healthy skin, as well as improved energy levels. Here’s how to make healthy raw dog food:

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 pounds ground beef
• 1/4 pound chicken livers
• 2 eggs
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 1 small apple, cored
• 1/2 cup baby spinach
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 1 Tablespoon ground flaxseeds
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil

Preparation:

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. Add the carrot, apple and spinach to a food processor. Blitz until finely chopped.
3. Add the remaining ingredients except for the ground beef to the food processor. Blitz until combined.
4. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Add the ground beef. Mix with a spatula or your hands.
5. Form the mixture into patties about the size of your palm. Place them on the baking sheet.
6. Put the patties in a freezer-safe container and freeze. Place them in the refrigerator to thaw the night before you need to use them.

Recipe #5: Grain-free dog food

This recipe is ideal for dogs with grain allergies. (Related: Changing your dog’s diet can help address food allergies.)

Ingredients:

• 3 pounds ground chicken
• 6 eggs, lightly beaten
• 4 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 apples, peeled, cored and chopped
• 4 cups baby spinach
• 3/4 cup chicken livers, chopped
• 1/4 cup water
• 3 Tablespoons sunflower seed oil

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
2. Put the carrots, apples and water in a pot. Bring it to a boil.
3. Reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
4. Add the ground chicken, chicken livers, eggs and sunflower oil in a large skillet. Cook for 5 minutes, then turn off the heat.
5. Sprinkle the spinach over the meat mixture. Cover the skillet and set it aside for 5 minutes.
6. Once the spinach has wilted, mash the carrots and apples into the meat mixture.
7. Let the mixture cool. Portion it into containers and freeze. Reheat when needed.

Learn more about taking care of your pets at PetHealth.news.

Sources include:

ReadyNutrition.com

HouseThatBarks.com

RunningToTheKitchen.com

AllRecipes.com