As the amount of dog food recalls increase, I could no longer justify putting my dogs at risk. Even though I was feeding a good quality kibble, Acana or Orijen. I still keep it on hand for when I am away and my roommates are feeding the dogs.
But to feed homemade, there is a lot to learn! Here is some quick hint and tips:
Making natural dog food recipes at home provides healthy food for your pet, and it's very easy to do. Simply balance proteins, fats and carbohydrates with the occasional mineral or vitamin supplement to add more nutritional value.
The following is a basic guideline of ingredients needed to feed your dog healthy meals. You will have to gear them according to his size and the amount of food he typically eats per day
Cooked ground lamb, poultry and beef are ideal for mixing into natural dog food recipes. Limit PORK OR HAM
Pass on vegetables high in oxalic acid since they will interfere with your dog's ability to absorb calcium; stay away from spinach, rhubarb and swiss chard.
Absolutely, DO NOT FEED YOUR DOG:
ONIONS, GARLIC
Grapes & RAISINS
CHOCOLATE
GRAPES
CITRUS FRUITS
AVOCADO
CORN ON THE COB
APPLE CORES – SEEDS ARE TOXIC TO DOGS
MUSHROOMS (and not just cause I dont like them... ha ha)
ARTIFICIAL SWEETNER
COFFEE OR OTHER PRODUCTS HIGH IN CAFFEINE
MACADAMIAN NUTS
WALNUTS
Wholesome ingredients to incorporate into your dog's diet
Quick cooking grains:
Rolled oats
Cornmeal
Bulgur
Whole-wheat
Couscous
Quinoa
Other grains:
Brown rice
Barley
Millet
Wheat berries
Frozen vegetables:
Cut green beans
Lima beans
Peas
Fresh cooked vegetables:
Finely grated carrots or zucchini
Yams/sweet potatoes
Baking potatoes
Broccoli
Beets
Squash
Parsnips
Does your dog have arthritis? Tip: Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory, and can be sprinkled on your dog's food. Start a medium dog with an eight of a tsp per day. Mix any dose with food because the taste is hot and can be offensive or cause vomiting. This should work immediately.
To determine how much to feed an adult dog, take his body weight and multiply it by 0.4. The resulting number is the total number of ounces your dog should be eating in a day -- either in one big meal or divided into a morning and dinner meal.
As for kibble, here is the recipe I use, I like it because it is easy, and all the ingredients can be bought at the grocery store.
Homemade Kibble
4 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups rolled oats (dry oatmeal)
3 cups of cooked brown rice
2 cups of powdered milk (instant milk)
3 cups of water or broth (chicken or beef)
4 eggs
1 cup of lard or shortening
Mix the flour, oats, rice, powdered milk and water or broth. Then beat the 4 eggs with a fork and add the eggs and the shortening or lard into the flour mixture. Mix until well blended using a big spoon or your hands.
If your dog loves a certain ingredient, you can add it to the kibble mix. You can add cuts of lean cooked meat, bits of cooked carrots, thawed frozen peas, or any other ingredient your dog loves.
You want to pour your kibble batter into a shallow pan so it will cook evenly. Just don't make it too thick. You can use several shelves in your oven or you can just make separate batches. Bake at 200 degrees for at least 45 minutes. You want the kibble to be dry.
After the kibble mix is cooked, let it cool fully then rip it apart into small pieces. Store in a plastic container in the fridge and use as needed. You should use it within two weeks. If you can't use it in time, you can freeze it in plastic bags then thaw as needed.
This is another recipe I use, when I have the ingredients on hand:
Canine Hamburger Helper
1 cup hamburger
2 boiled eggs
½ cup oatmeal
2 Tbsp cottage cheese
1 cup cooked green beans
1 cup grated carrots
Method
Stir fry the hamburger meat in canola oil. Chop the boiled eggs into small pieces. Cook the oatmeal. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl. Serve. Leftovers of this meal can be stored up to three days in the refrigerator.
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RAW FOOD
As for raw food, I buy pet burger from my local butcher here in Winfield. The butcher grinds up meat & bones into a burger consistency. Freezes it in huge long cylinder packs. Then when you buy it, they slice it into patties for you the thickness you want! I bought a 120lbs for a $120. That alone will feed my pack of four twice a day for 5 weeks!! That is the best deal!
That is the other benefit for feeding raw, I could not afford a $300 - $400 dog food bill if I chose to continue feeding kibble.
That is the other benefit for feeding raw, I could not afford a $300 - $400 dog food bill if I chose to continue feeding kibble.
Above is pictures of the pet burger. It's about 4 inches in diameter and an inch thick.
To the pet burger I add veggies, rice, a bit of kibble, fruit, plain yogurt (8 tbsps/wk), pumpkin, spinach, applesauce, etc. I had some freezer burnt salmon I BBQ and de-boned, I have it in the freezer to add for a special treat! Right now I'm just figuring put what my dogs will eat, so that is why I keep various things on hand to add to their pet burger. I have a garden, so they will get lots of veggies from there too.
I bought some Recovery to add to my oldest dog's food to help her joints!
So I have been feeding them this for about month! I immediately noticed a difference in their coat, shiny & SOFT! I have 3 dogs who are 18 months old and my oldest is seven years old, they all have huge energy & more now being on this food.
Now a yucky topic, but the biggest surprise, poop! Everywhere I read about feeding raw, it talked about reduced pick up in yard. But I couldn't believe how much of a reduction. With four dogs I had to keep on top of the back yard clean up. I was away, so I had two weeks to clean up. I was scared of the mess that awaited me. But when I was done I barely had a third of a five gallon bucket. Before on kibble I would easily fill 80% of the bucket in a week!
I don't measure exact every meal, cause some meals they get 100% protein, other meals might be 50% protein; 50% carbs, and they another meal might be 30 % carbs-30% veggies -40% protein. But overall it works out for them I think to be about 70% protein; 30 % veggies & carbs.
As for yogurt, I read information that said it is bad and other information that said it was good. I only use plain yogurt, no sugar or fruit added. It seems there is no right answer. So I made a decision, and started giving it to them, and it has been amazing. My one dog, who seems to always have yeast infections in his ear, doesn't have any now.
As I try and tailor more recipes or find more information, I will add! Good Luck!
