Homemade Dog Food For Papillons Guide & Recipes

Are you tired of the hassle of finding the right store-bought food for your furry friend? Have you ever wondered if there’s a way to ensure they get the proper nutrition they need while saving some money? If so, look no further! In this article, you will discover the benefits of homemade dog food for Papillon dogs and how to make it specifically for this breed. With our guide and recipes, you can rest assured that your pup will be happy, healthy, and thriving on its new homemade diet.

Get ready to say goodbye to preservatives and hello to fresh, wholesome home-cooked meals for your Papillon. Let’s dive right in!

Chapter 1: Nutrition, Benefits & Risks

Ch 2 

Papillon Homemade Dog Food Benefits

Here are some of the main benefits of cooking for your Papillon

Board-certified veterinary nutritionists and diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Nutrition, Jennifer A. Larsen, DVM, MS, Ph.D., and Joe Bartges, DVM, Ph.D., also agree that switching to homemade dog food comes with great advantages such as diet management, appeasing picky eaters, bond-building, combatting food intolerance and allergies issues, and avoid concern over food recalls.^[1]

Further benefits include preventing many conditions associated with a poor diet, such as obesity, poor skin, coat condition, pancreatitis, diabetes, and reduced immunity.

Food And Papillon Health: Why Feed Homemade?

Papillon generally lives between 12 to 15 years. Some of the most common health problems in this breed include luxating patellas, progressive retinal atrophy, Von Willebrand’s disease, and cataracts. Diseases like allergies, dental problems, and portosystemic shunt (PSS) are also common in the breed. Other less common Papillon health problems this breed suffers from include collapsing trachea.^[2]

How Can A Homemade Diet Help Papillon Health Issues?

Papillon Homemade Dog Food Risks

There are a few drawbacks to cooking homemade dog food you need to understand, so you avoid them. These include:

Research by the University of California Davis, School of Veterinary and two studies published in the journal Preventive Veterinary Medicine and The Journal of Nutritional Science found that most homemade dog food recipes lack key essential nutrients, and other recipes used dangerously high levels of some nutrients.^[7][8][9]

Here are the findings:

Papillon Nutritional Guidelines to Follow

According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), the entity that supervises the nutritional value of commercial dog food, there are six essential nutrients all dog meals must contain to ensure a balanced and healthy diet for dogs.

A proper homemade diet should also consider your pup’s weight, health conditions, size, and activity level.

Below is a breakdown of each nutrient and its importance.

Nutrient	Food	Description
Protein	Chicken, lamb, turkey, beef, fish, yogurt and cooked eggs	Builds and repairs muscles and other body tissues. Needed to make new skin cells, grow hair, hormones, enzymes and more.
Carbohydrates	Oats, brown rice, potatoes, and whole wheat	Source of energy for dogs and supplies glucose needed by the brain, nervous system and other critical organs for normal function.
Fat	From meats and oils such as olive or sunflower oil, fish oil, canola oils among others	Responsible for providing quality energy. Necessary for the normal development and function of body cells, nerves, muscles, and body tissues
Minerals	Calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, iron, zinc, etc.	Common functions include the formation of bone and cartilage, nerve and muscle function, fluid balance regulation, the transportation of oxygen in the bloodstream and hormone production.
Water	Water	Hydration is critical in dogs. A dog that loses too much water (10% to 15% of the water in his body) can get very sick and even die. Ensure they have water available throughout the day.
Vitamins	A, B, C, D, E, and K	Keeps skin and coat healthy, strengthens bones and teeth, and gives them the overall energy that they need to function.

Recommended Supplements For Papillon

Here are the top recommended supplements for Papillon based on their main health susceptibility issues.

You may also want to add a multivitamin like Zesty Paws Multivitamin Chews to ensure your Papillon pup gets the recommended balance of vitamins and minerals.

For those seeking further guidance on Papillon nutrition, the book “Home-Prepared Dog & Cat Diets: the Healthful Alternative” by Donald R. Strombeck, DVM, Ph.D. is an indispensable resource. As a veteran in the field of veterinary medicine, Dr. Strombeck’s expertise shines through

Health Dietary Changes In Papillon

Papillon experiencing any of the issues below might benefit from the dietary adjustments outlined in this table.

Condition	Dietary Needs & Adjustments
Coat Color Changes	Increase amino acids which can be found in protein (>75 grams per 1000 calories)
Concurrent GI Signs	Avoid foods with tryptamine and histamine such as dairy or fermented vegetables and meats (yes, this includes bacon); try a simple ingredient food trial
Chronic Itching and Dermatitis	Fortify the diet with Vitamin E, B Vitamins, Zinc, omega-6 and the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil; add a dog probiotic; try a simple ingredient food trial
Dull Coat and Scaling	Adjust EPA and DHA levels in the diet (added fish oil being the most common way); try a food that has added zinc
Dandruff and Crustiness	Add Zinc and Vitamin A levels

If your Papillon suffers from skin allergies or joint pain, adding dog fish oil may help bring relief. The AKC states that fish oil promotes healthier coats by reducing itchiness and flakiness in the skin due to its omega-3 fatty acid content. Other significant effects include promoting improved immunity (especially against cancer) while strengthening heart health in dogs.

Papillon Calorie Requirements

The caloric needs of dogs are based on their weight. An adult Papillon usually weighs between 8 and 10 pounds, meaning most Papillon needs between 256 and 303 calories daily. Make sure you follow the 10% rule when feeding treats to your dog. Food would equal 90% of the total calories and treats the remaining 10%.

For instance, if a Papillon weighs 9 lbs. he would need 282 calories per day. For those eating treats, that’s 254 calories in food (90%) and 28 in treats (10%). Usually, most full-grown dogs eat two meals per day. So, you must split 254 into two meals of 127 calories each.

You can use our dog calorie calculator to find the exact caloric needs of your dog based on his weight.

Pregnant or lactating Papillon may need up to 2 to 4 times the amount of food they normally need as the mother’s energy requirements increase after delivery and during lactation. Be sure to talk to your vet.

Homemade Dog Food For Papillon Puppies

A Papillon puppy’s diet is different from an adult’s. Compared to adult dogs, puppies need higher protein, fat, calcium, and phosphorus levels. Too few (or too many) of these nutrients can cause deficiencies, stunted growth, or lifelong complications.

Most people worry that their puppy requires more food and calorie daily because they are rapidly growing. This isn’t necessarily the truth. Dr. Justin Shmalberg, DVM, a veterinary nutritionist at Nom Nom, advises that to promote normal growth, most puppies need about the same number of calories and the same type of food from 4 months to 12 months of age.

Papillon puppies should eat 3 to 4 times a day. When your puppy is a bit older (6 – 12 months), you can switch to 2 to 3 meals daily at scheduled intervals.

For proper growth and development, it is not advised to skip meals while your puppy is growing and developing. As our nutritional guidelines previously outlined, a puppy’s diet must include a balance of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, water, and vitamins.

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Chapter 2: Recipes, Cooking Tips & More

Ch 1

Papillon Homemade Food Tips

Before sharing our favorite Papillon homemade food recipes, remember these recommendations when preparing your dog’s next meal.

How To Cook Homemade Food For Papillon ( Video)

Never made food for your Papillon before? This video will get you started.

Best Papillon Homemade Dog Food Recipes

Browse our favorite recipes for a Papillon that will make your pup beg for more.

Note: Please consult your pet’s veterinarian and use personal judgment when applying this information to your dog’s diet. The recipes below do not include serving size because portions will vary depending on breed, weight, activity level, age, and dog’s health. A common recommendation is to feed your dog a comparable amount of ounces/cups to what you would usually feed in kibble BUT check with your vet to be certain.

CBD-Infused Dog Treats

Treat your Papillon with these nutritious, therapeutic, and delicious homemade CBD dog treats. They are made with Pumpkin, a great source of essential vitamins and minerals (like vitamin A, potassium, vitamin C, and iron). Pumpkin also aids with digestion and hydration. Coconut is added for skin and coat, digestion and helps reduce allergic reactions.

Just be sure to check with your vet before to ensure CBD is safe for your pup and that you are giving the correct dosage.

You can also purchase already-made CBD dog treats so your pup can experience CBD’s benefits without the cooking.

Ingredients

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Grease a dog cookie baking tray with coconut oil.
2. Core and grate the apples, then peel and grate the carrots.
3. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the gluten-free flour, oats, and coconut sugar. In another medium-sized bowl, beat the egg. Then, add coconut oil, water, and grated apples and carrots.
4. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients bowl; mix completely. Finally, add CBD oil and mix once more.
5. Using a Tbsp measuring spoon, portion the dog biscuits and press them into the dog treat baking pan. Bake for 32-37 minutes or until the biscuits are firm and golden brown on the outside.
6. Store in an air-tight container.

Recipe from: Truth Theory

Turkey, Rice & Veggie Mix

Ingredients

Directions

1. Place the water, ground turkey, rice, and rosemary into a large Dutch oven.
2. Stir until the ground turkey is broken up and evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
3. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low.
4. Simmer for 20 minutes.
5. Add the frozen vegetables and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
6. Remove from heat and cool.
7. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Recipe from: Allrecipes

Macaroni, Quinoa Turkey Recipe

Ingredients

Directions

1. Bring 1 cup of whole grain to boiling in a pot of water. I overcook it so that it’s soft and easily digestible. Drain.
2. While that’s boiling, shred/chop the veggies.
3. Cook ground turkey with olive oil and drain excess juices.
4. Mix everything! No need to cook the veggies. The cooked turkey and whole grain will warm them up a bit.
5. Store in Tupperware or ziplock bags and freeze! It makes enough for around two weeks of meals (Fira weighs 14 lbs).

Recipe from: WhereSTheFrenchie

Turkey & Vegetable Dinner

Ingredients

Directions

1. Cook the ground turkey in a non-stick skillet over medium heat until the meat is cooked through
2. Add the brown rice, turkey, and water to a large pot and bring to a boil
3. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for an additional 15 minutes or until the rice is soft and tender
4. Add the carrots and green beans and cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until the vegetables are tender
5. Allow cooling before serving
6. Store extra dinners in the fridge for up to five days

Pro tip: Avoid using heavy oil to brown the turkey. Its high-fat content may upset your dog’s stomach.

Recipe from: Moneycrashers

If you are interested in more homemade dog food recipes and cooking options for your Samoyed, cookbooks can come in handy for various dog food recipes. Our top pick is Home Cooking for Your Dog: 75 Holistic Recipes for a Healthier Dog.

Best Dog Cooking Practices

With these tips, you can ensure that your Papillon meals are safe and nutritious.

Monitor Weight And Health

A dog’s weight is an essential indicator of its health, and you need to track it when switching to a new diet (i.e., homemade). Maintaining a healthy weight is easier when your Papillon is fed the right dog food. If your dog’s weight increases or decreases rapidly, it might be due to food-related health issues.

Skin or coat issues, excessive tiredness, allergies, weight loss, malnutrition, and obesity can be caused by unbalanced and insufficient meal plans. If you detect any of these symptoms while feeding your dog meals, stop doing it immediately and seek expert advice.

What Foods Should Your Papillon Never Eat?

Below is a list of the most common toxic ingredients dogs need to avoid.

Here is the complete list of toxic ingredients your Papillon should never eat. Please print it out and put it on your refrigerator as a reminder.

Papillon Raw Diet (BARF)

Raw dog diets are gaining popularity because of their fantastic health benefits for teeth, coats, digestion, and allergies. Read our raw dog food diet article to learn more about the benefits and risks, and get the best commercial raw food diet for your Papillon.

Should You Feed Homemade Food to Papillons? Alternatives

Finally, feeding homemade food to your Papillon can provide a variety of advantages, including greater control over the quality and freshness of the ingredients, the ability to cater to specific dietary needs and preferences, and cost savings. However, before making any dietary changes, it is critical to thoroughly educate yourself on proper dog nutrition and consult with a veterinarian. Homemade dog food can be a nutritious and delicious option for your Papillon with the proper research and preparation. Finally, the decision to feed homemade food to your Papillon should be based on your and your pet’s individual needs and preferences. So, if you’re up for the challenge, give it a shot and see for yourself the positive results!

Exploring vegan dog food may be beneficial if your Papillon is susceptible to food allergies or health issues related to their diet. Many pet owners are opting for plant-based diets for dogs with food sensitivities and other health concerns. By reading up on this topic, you can determine if a vegan diet may be viable for your furry companion.

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