What we are burning for.
We are well aware that we alone cannot make the world a better place. But we want to make at least a small contribution by working hard every day to do exactly what is most important to us personally: The health and well-being of animals.
Guide
The best tips for your best friend
Frequently asked questions
Home-cooked dog food offers a number of benefits that can promote both your dog's health and your bond with them. By controlling the ingredients, you can ensure that your dog receives high-quality and fresh food, free from unwanted additives. It also allows you to customise the food to your dog's individual needs, be it due to allergies, digestive issues or other health conditions.
Choosing the best food for your dog depends on a number of factors, including his age, size, health and individual preferences. It is important to consider these aspects to make the right decision. Regardless of the chosen feeding method, it is important to ensure that your dog's diet contains all the necessary nutrients. This can be done by using high quality ingredients, considering supplements and, if necessary, regular checks by a vet or nutritionist.
When you cook your own food, you decide which foods your dog should get. This choice allows you to customise meals specifically to your dog's needs, preferences and allergies. Using high-quality, fresh ingredients can ensure a balanced diet, while avoiding artificial preservatives and additives can reduce the risk of health problems. Home-cooked dog food also offers the opportunity to avoid allergies and intolerances by eliminating potential triggers and slowly introducing new ingredients.
The cost of home-cooked dog food can vary depending on the size of the dog and the ingredients chosen. Individual shopping behaviour, buying ingredients in bulk and using leftovers from your own kitchen can have a significant impact on the cost. Home-cooked dog food offers an individually cost-effective and healthy option that allows you to control the quality and origin of the ingredients and take into account your dog's special nutritional needs.
In order to find the right recipe for your dog, it is important to take his physical facts into account. This includes information such as breed, age, weight and known allergies or health conditions. Based on this information, recipes can be adapted accordingly. In addition, the Body Condition Score (BCS) plays an important role in determining normal, overweight or underweight. When selecting ingredients, known allergens should be avoided and high-quality, well-tolerated options should be favoured. Finally, it is advisable to only use recipes that have been balanced by experts and have been supplemented with the necessary nutrients in the recipe.
There are classic symptoms such as itching, ear infections, skin changes and digestive problems that can indicate a food allergy in dogs. In most cases, an exclusion diet is used to test the tolerance of specific food groups. Overall, it is important to carefully monitor your dog's diet and consult your vet if you suspect a food allergy.
The Body Condition Score (BCS) is an important indicator of a dog's health and fitness. The BCS is an uncomplicated method of estimating your dog's body fat percentage and determining the optimum body condition regardless of breed or weight. The body condition is assessed on a scale of 1 to 9, with a BCS of 4 to 5 being considered ideal. The assessment can be carried out at home and without scales. It is used to recognise weight problems in dogs at an early stage and to be able to adjust the diet accordingly.
Proteins: The building blocks of the body essential for muscles, organs, skin, hair and nails. They are an important source of energy for your dog and provide vital amino acids.
Carbohydrates: A source of energy for your four-legged friend, which can promote intestinal health and stabilise blood sugar levels.
Fats: Highly concentrated source of energy that provides your dog with essential fatty acids. Important for cell membranes, vitamin absorption and the health of skin and coat.
Minerals: Essential for metabolism, cell function and water balance. These include calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and magnesium.
Trace elements: Iron, zinc, copper, manganese, iodine and selenium are involved in the hormone balance, metabolism and oxygen exchange and transport of your four-legged friend.
Vitamins: Essential for metabolic processes, immune function, hormone balance and the health of skin, coat and teeth. These include the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, K and the water-soluble vitamin B complex.
Choosing a high-quality dog food that contains all these nutrients in appropriate amounts and proportions is crucial for your dog's health and well-being. You should pay particular attention to this with home-cooked meals in order to avoid malnutrition and malnourishment of your four-legged friend and to cover his daily requirements adequately on a permanent basis.
Before you go shopping, you should have selected a recipe tailored to your dog's individual needs. When shopping, pay attention to the quality, sustainability and origin of the ingredients. It's best to choose unprocessed foods and ethically produced meat. Efficient shopping through weekly planning and buying in bulk helps to optimise costs. Reduce packaging waste and help avoid food waste by using reusable containers and considering products close to their best before date. Some ingredients are easier to find online, at the butcher or in supermarkets.
If you want to cook for two dogs, you need to collect recipes in advance that meet the individual needs of both dogs. Take into account size, age, activity level and possible exclusion factors. Adjust the quantities of ingredients and portions accordingly to provide both dogs with sufficient food. Test the compatibility of the menus by "trial cooking" small quantities. Observe the dogs' behaviour, digestion and weight regularly to determine whether the recipes work well for both dogs. If you are unsure or there are major differences in the dogs' requirements, consult an expert to ensure all dietary requirements are catered for. In some cases, separate recipes may need to be cooked for each dog.
Home-cooked food is considered a complete feed if it completely covers all of your dog's essential nutrients when fed exclusively and continuously. This includes proteins, fats, energy, minerals, trace elements and vitamins.
Home-cooked food offers maximum freshness thanks to the direct processing of fresh ingredients and raw materials. It is individually tailored to the dog and free from additives, which are necessary in many industrial feeds for processing in production. In addition, home-prepared food offers maximum transparency as to what actually ends up in the dog's bowl - a significant difference to most other feeding methods. The choice of ingredients and recipe is entirely in the hands of the dog owner, which is another significant difference to industrialised food.