Callie's Dog Food Recipes

Callie's Dog Food Recipes


Update on Callie

Ingredients
1lb ground beef
1lb ground turkey
3 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts cubes 1/2 inch
2 cups mixed frozen diced peas and carrots
2 stalks celery peeled and diced
1/2 lg red bell pepper diced
1/4 c cilantro
1/4 c parsley
1 c spinach
3 lg eggs
1/2 c yellow squash diced
1/2 c zucchini diced

Directions
1. Mix together everything but the cilantro, parsley and spinach and place in a casserole dish. Bake at 425f for 45min.
2. In a food processor dice up the cilantro, parsley and spinach
3. Portion out into 6 daily servings, add a 1/6th of the greens mix to each serving and mix together in bag. Makes enough to feed 1 1/4 cups twice a day for 6 days.

In addition to the food you need to add a vitamin and mineral supplement to make this a well rounded diet, I use Nupro All Natural Dog Supplement as well as feeding salmon once a week to add omega 3 fatty acids to the diet.

Homemade dog food version 

Ingredients
4 lb ground chicken
3 lb lean ground beef
2 lb ground turkey
1 lb ground pork
1 zucchini diced
2 yellow squash diced
1 red bell pepper diced
1 can green beans diced and drained
3 stalks celery diced
1 sweet potato diced
1/2 cup cilantro diced
1/2 cup parsley diced
4 cups mixed frozen peas and carrots diced
2 cups greens(turnip,spinach,kale,mustard,chard etc.)
4 cups cooked brown rice
Directions
1. cook meats through and veggies except greens, parsley and cilantro until just soft.
2. Cook greens, parsley and cilantro until wilted
3. Mix all ingredients together
4. Portion into daily servings, I do 2 cups per day for a 10 lb puppy. Makes about 3 weeks to a month, could add 2 more cups of cooked rice to add some filler with no problems.
In addition to the food you need to add a vitamin and mineral supplement to make this a well rounded diet, I use Nupro All Natural Dog Supplement as well as feeding salmon once a week to add omega 3 fatty acids to the diet

Homemade Dog Food with Rice

Ingredients
-3 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts in 1/2 inch cubes
-2 lb ground turkey
-2 lb ground beef
-6 cups cooked brown rice
-1 diced red bell pepper
-3 pealed and diced stalks of celery
-1 lg diced zucchini
-2 diced yellow squash
– 1 small pealed and diced sweet potato -1 can green beans diced and drained
– 4 cups frozen mixed peas and carrots
-1 cup turnip greens chopped small
-1/2 cup cilantro
-1/2 cup parsley

Directions
1. Cook together meats and veggies except cilantro, parsley, and turnip greens.
2. After meat and veggies are cooked through add in greens and cook til wilted.
3. Once cooked mix with rice and portion out into freezer bags, I do 2 cups a day and its plenty for an 8lb puppy for over 2 weeks of food. Comes out to around $30.

In addition to the food you need to add a vitamin and mineral supplement to make this a well rounded diet, I use Nupro All Natural Dog Supplement as well as feeding salmon once a week to add omega 3 fatty acids to the diet

Turkey and Rice Muttloaf
For those puppies with upset tummies that need a bland diet:

Ingredients
2 lb ground turkey
½ cup carrots
1 stalk celery
2 lg eggs
¼ cup cilantro
¼ cup parsley
½ cup peas
½ cup red bell pepper
2 cups cooked brown rice

Directions
In food processor coarsely puree veggies and herbs
Process cooked brown rice lightly
Mix together all ingredients
Form into loaf pans or muffin tins
Cook at 350 for 1 hr
Portion out into serving sizes and freeze

In addition to the food you need to add a vitamin and mineral supplement to make this a well rounded diet, I use Nupro All Natural Dog Supplement as well as feeding salmon once a week to add omega 3 fatty acids to the diet

Salmon Delight

A salmon recipe to get those omega 3’s into the diet, makes enough for 10 1 cup servings, perfect for feeding a few times a week to your dog, minimal ingredients. It is lacking in a few minerals and vitamins but excels in meeting the requirements of A,C,K,B6,B12,Niacin,Selenium and all the necessary amino acids.

3lb atlantic salmon
1 cup green beans
1 cup blueberries
1 cup brussels sprouts
1/4 cup cilantro
4 large eggs with shells crushed
1/4 cup parsley
1 cup snow peas with pod


pulse all veggies in food processor until coarsely chopped or use a slap chopper or something of that sort, cook salmon and then add in veggies cooking until just soft. cook eggs separately and add in at the end.

The Callie Special

Ingredients
1 lb pork loin diced
1 ½ lb boneless skinless chicken breast diced
1 ½ lb chicken gizzards and hearts, fat and tendons removed(yes this is a pain and you will only get about  ¾ lb of meat)
1 small sweet potato diced
1 cup mixed peas and carrots
½ cup snow peas with pods
1 cup spinach
½ cup parsley
½ cup zucchini
1 small apple
4 eggs

Directions
Dice meat
Using food processer lightly process peas and carrots, snow peas, celery(after peeling the outer layer off), spinach and parsley
Dice zucchini, apple and sweet potato
Cook meat, zucchini, apple and sweet potato until meat is cooked through and veggies are soft
Add eggs into cooked mixture and cook til eggs are done, drain any liquid
Mix together raw and cooked mixtures
Portion out into serving sizes for your dog, you can double or even triple or quadruple this recipe if needed very easily, I like making 3 or 4 different recipes for the month and giving her something different each day so she doesn’t get bored.(how many days this will make depends on how large the dog is, this made 8 days for a 5 lb puppy, ¾ cup serving for the day) 10 lb dog: 1 ¼ cup 15lb dog 1 ½ cup, 20lb dog 2 cup, 25 lb dog 2 ¼ cup, 30 lb dog 2 ½ cup, 35 lb dog 3 cups, 40lb dog 3 ¼ cup, 45lb dog 3 ½ cup, 50lb dog 3 ¾ cup(going by this you should be able to estimate for larger breeds as well, generally go up by a ¼ cup for every 5lb of weight)

Puppy Meatloaf

Ingredients
10 lb ground turkey
3 lb ground beef
2 stalks celery
1 cup broccoli blanched
1 cup green beans blanched
2 cups carrots blanched
1 orange bell pepper
1 lg zucchini
1 green bell pepper
1 apple
1 pear
1 sweet potato blanched
4 eggs
1 cup cheddar cheese
1/4 cup bacon bits
1 cup cooked quinoa
1 cup cooked steel cut oats

Directions
 mix together the ground beef and ground turkey
process all fruits and veggies in a food processor
mix into the fruit and veggie mixture the eggs, cheese, rice and bacon bits
mix together the meat and veggie mixtures (might need to do in a few batches, take a third of each and mix it together at a time)
pack mixture into muffin tins or meat loaf pans sprayed with non stick spray(you could even do mini muffin tins if you have very small dogs and want it pre portioned) if you would like, top with low sodium ketchup or tomato paste. Bake muffin tins at 350 for 1 hr, loaf pans 350 for 90 min and mini meat loaf pans for around 45 min at 350.
once cooked cool thoroughly and cut into daily portions if using loaf pans, a small dog will eat around 1 cup(one muffin or two mini muffins) a large dog will eat around 2 – 2 1/2 cups(2-3 muffins or 4-5 mini muffins) you will generally feed slightly less homemade food than you would commercial food as it is more filling and calorie dense.

The Works

Ingredients
1 cup apple
1 cup blueberries
1 medium celery stalk
3 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
1 1/2 lb chicken gizzards and hearts trimmed of fat and tendons(about 3/4lb meat)
4oz chicken liver
4 lg eggs with egg shells crushed
1 lb salmon skinned and deboned
1 lb pork loin diced
1/2 cup parsley
2 cups snow peas in pod
2 lb ground turkey
1 cup spinach
1 large zucchini
1 medium sweet potatoes

Directions
1.blanch veggies
2 process fruits and veggies in food proccessor coarsely
3.cook meat and eggs at a low temp until just cooked (i recommend cooking pork,chicken and turkey together and then cooking the salmon and eggs separate)
4.mix together meat, veggies and fruits and egg shells
5.let cool and the portion out into freezer bags(makes 18 cups of food) you can find out how much your dog needs a day at :  http://makedogfoods.blogspot.com/2016/08/top-5-best-homemade-dog-food-recipes.html

Dehydrated Dog Treats

You will need a decent food dehydrator for this. Mine has no fancy settings just adjustable vents and one temp setting.

1pk pigs ears
1 small pk salmon with skin on
1 lg sweet potato

For small dogs slice the pigs ears into thirds, place on one of the food dehydrator trays without them touching. Skin the sweet potato and then cut long ways into quarter inch thick strips, layer on another tray of the dehydrator(two if necessary). Last, Cut most of the salmon off of the skin leaving just a little meat close to the skin, then cut the skin into inch wide strips(save the meat and cook it for your fur baby, they will love it) spray the dehydrator tray with some nonstick spray and then lay the skin pieces on it without them touching. Now stack all the trays on top of each other per dehydrator instructions and leave on the 175f or 200f setting with the vents half open for 12 hours, I would layer them in this order: sweet potato on bottom, then pigs ears, then salmon. when done the sweet potatoes will be mostly dry but still a little bendy, the pigs ears will be hard and dry and the salmon skins should have a slight give to them(you might have to check them around the 8 hr mark and take them off early)

Muttloaf

Ingredients
2 lg carrots
2 lb lean ground beef
¼ tsp garlic powder
2 lg sweet potatoes
4 eggs (with shells dried for 3 min in microwave and ground up in food processor til powder)
1 can dark red kidney beans
¼ tsp cinnamon
1 sprig rosemary

Directions
1.In a food processor, process eggs, beans and spices
2.Grate sweet potatoes and carrots (use grate attachment on food processor if you have one)
3.Mix all ingredients together and pack into muffin tins
4.Bake at 350 for 1 hr
5.Cool and then freeze in individual (1/4c) servings. This recipe makes enough to feed a 5lb dog 3 servings a day for around 10 days but I like to mix it up and give her a serving of 3 different recipes each day.

In addition to the food you need to add a vitamin and mineral supplement to make this a well rounded diet, I use Nupro All Natural Dog Supplement as well as feeding salmon once a week to add omega 3 fatty acids to the diet.

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Homemade Dog Food Recipes

What would you prefer? A TV dinner, or a homemade stew made by Mom herself? Most of us have eaten both, and have a preference. I can't speak for your mother's cooking ability, but chances are, she can do a bit better than a frozen brick of kinda-food. This example may make it easier to empathize with your dog when you fill his bowl with nuggets of processed corn meal and he glances up your way that saying, "You've got to be kidding me."

Or, maybe your best buddy is more than willing to scarf down anything that hits the bowl. In that case, you might want to ask yourself, "Is conventional dog food the best thing for him?" Your dinner choices might be a no-brainer, but choosing the best option for your pet isn't always that easy. He's relying on you to make the healthiest, and most enjoyable, choices for him.

When you make food at home for your dog, you are ensured that your dog is eating food that meets your standards, and is free of preservatives, fillers, and chemicals that are often found in commercial dog foods.

Join me, and we'll discuss the questions that both you and your dog have been asking about homemade dog food. We'll explore the different avenues available to gain and maintain a healthy coat and skin, lean muscle, strong bones and teeth, hearty organs and immune systems, high energy, efficient digestion, and an increased life expectancy. In other words, all the things we want for our much loved dogs.

Are There Different Types of Homemade Dog Food?

You betcha. Much like human food, homemade dog food can be categorized in order to narrow the search for your best friend's most beneficial diet. But, lines can be blurred, and concepts can overlap. For instance, you may choose to feed a raw dog food diet while avoiding all of the foods that experts have deemed potentially harmful. Or you may want to employ holistic health concepts while using all organic ingredients. That's what homemade dog food is all about, after all - customizing your dog's diet in a way that fulfills both of you.
In the most sensible manner, we'll start where the meat does: Raw.

Raw Dog Food, or BARF
(Biologically Appropriate Raw Food - or - Bones and Raw Food):

Your dog is a wild animal that has been domesticated (some more than others). And, as with humans, any species' best diet is its native one. And a dog's native diet? MEAT.
Additionally, many would attest that raw meat is optimal. Unlike humans, dogs are not generally susceptible to things like salmonella and e-coli. You and I might regularly eat raw meat if our systems could handle it - but we need to cook our meat to kill the bacteria that have the potential to devastate our digestive systems.

homemade dog food
When meat is cooked, proteins, vitamins, and minerals break down and lose their benefit. Raw meat is also high in moisture - it provides a significant amount of your dog's daily water requirement (and that's great for proper kidney function). The great majority of your dog's diet should consist of meat protein - which is the one fool-proof ingredient that we know all dogs can digest and thrive on.

Commercial dog foods contain soy, corn, and wheat - all common allergens for dogs. Raw dog food advocates maintain that all grains should be eliminated from our dogs' diets. They also cite that grains have been blamed as culprits for pancreatic stress and tooth calculus, that our dogs were not designed to process these items, and that asking them to thrive on grains is like asking a human to thrive on a red meat diet - most experts would advise against it.

Let's start by discussing what a raw-food dog's diet should consist of. All meat should, obviously, be uncooked, and may include: Eggs (with shell), beef, buffalo, venison, elk, chicken, turkey, emu, ostrich, rabbit, and fish. Small animals, like rabbits and fish, may be fed whole - dogs love it this way.

At least 60-80% of your dog's raw food diet should consist of raw meat. Further broken down, that meat allowance should be roughly 20% organs, 20% skin and fat, and 35% muscle meat.

Bones included in a fresh kill are okay, and hold nutrition essential to your dog's well being. Beware, though - never feed old bones that have been inside a dead animal for any length of time or that have been preserved in any way. The best bone is a just-dead one. A fresh kill rabbit or a whole, fresh chicken provide whole meat and bone nutrition. And, yes, chicken bones are safe to feed your dog, provided that they remain fresh and uncooked (ask your Vet if you are still unsure). Bones become brittle and prone to splintering after they're cooked. When fresh, they are more easily chewed and digested.

Vegetables may be combined with meat, to account for 20-40% of your dog's diet. Appropriate ones include: Broccoli, squash, Romaine lettuce, carrots, cabbage, celery, and asparagus. Take note to any bloating or gas problems that your dog may experience. If he's looking distended and feels sluggish, start by eliminating the broccoli (that's usually the culprit), and then move on to the others until you find the gas-maker.

Where to get the raw meat? That's easy - visit your local butcher. Ever wonder what happens to the parts that we don't eat? Likely, they're tossed into the dumpster. Ask that butcher for left-overs, such as animal carcasses, necks, backs, feet, and tails. But remember - all meat should be fit for human consumption. Our dogs' systems can handle more than ours, but don't forget that you'll be handling the meat. After preparing meals for your dog, cleaning up with pure white vinegar will eliminate any bacteria from countertops and feeding bowls.

And yes, we know that there is garlic included in some of these recipes. Please note that when portionally correct amounts are included in your dog's food, it can be beneficial to its health. It's only when too much garlic, in relation to your dog's weight, is dangerous to your dog's health

Intrigued? Ready to reintroduce your dog to his roots? Here's a homemade dog food recipe that he's bound to relish

Raw Meat Mix - The Unstew

$7.00, 10 minutes

Raise your paw if you like it raw!
Raw dog food
1 lb. raw ground meat
2 cups ground or pureed vegetables
2-4 oz. raw organ meat (liver, gizzards, etc.)
Half cup apple cider vinegar
2-3 cloves garlic
1 T ground kelp

Half cup plain yogurt
3 eggs with shells

palmful of parsley

Mix all ingredients (chop, puree, or leave in large chunks, depending on your dog's preference) and store in the refrigerator or freezer. This mixture should account for 20-40% of your dog's daily diet.

The remaining 60-80% of your raw-food-eating dog's daily requirement should consist of raw meat and bones (backs, necks, carcasses). These items should range from $0.00 - $2.00 per pound, depending on how friendly you are with your butcher.

In raw conclusion...

Of course, percentages of meat to vegetables is approximate. But most raw food experts agree - the most important part of a raw dog food diet is the meat. Our furry friends are carnivores, and eat little or no vegetables in the wild.

Benefits of a raw dog food diet include fewer, and more compact stools; muscle development in the jaw, neck, and shoulders (resulting from the chewing required by the meat and bone diet); better digestion due to slower, labored chewing; and an extended lifespan - thanks to an adherence to a natural, unprocessed, diet.

Have an aversion to feeding raw meat? Is your dog a scarfer, not skilled at chewing bones? Then debone it! Cook it! Read on for recipes that cater to the more evolved canine.

Organic, Homemade Dog Food - Good Food in the Nude

You'd have to be living under a rock if you've missed all of the buzz about organic foods. Even your dog's heard about it. A whole pack of folks believe that pesticides, herbicides, human waste, sewage sludge, radiation, genetic modification, and artificial additives have no place in or on our produce. But what about meat? Did you know that your meat - and the meat that you prepare for your dog - can be organic, too?
Organic meat is harvested from animals that have been raised without artificial growth hormones or antibiotics, and have not been fed animal by-products. Organic foods provide no more nutritional value than conventional ones, but their attraction is strictly about what's NOT in them. You'll be paying more for less (about twice as much) - but, it's less of what you DON'T want. Most grocers carry organic meat, and if they don't, ask for it.

Almost any homemade dog food recipe can be converted to organic - by simply replacing conventional ingredients with organically-produced ones. Here's one that will fly out of the bowl:

Organic Wings 'N' Things

$7.00, 5 minutes
half cup organic cottage cheese

half cup organic grated carrots

4-5 organic skin-on raw chicken wings (or cooked organic chicken, with bones removed)

Pile up your dog's bowl (using our weight calculator) with these yummy ingredients and watch 'em fly.

Homemade Holistic Dog Food - Feeding the Whole Dog

Holistic feeding methods and medicine stand upon the idea that feeding the mind and body will serve to restore and maintain health and vitality. Principles include ideals such as balance and variety. Holistic diets may be fed raw or cooked - your choice.
Meal rotation and variety is essential to holistic health principles, just as variety is essential to your own good daily diet. Dogs are naturally less carnivorous than cats. Their teeth testify to this - if you open the trap, you'll notice canines for ripping and grinders for other items that they naturally ingest while foraging in the wild.

Holistic dog food notions dictate that grains are okay for dogs - based on the premise that when dogs eat wild animals, they also ingest the stomach contents of those animals, including grains and greens. Many holistic dog food recipes hover right around 2 parts protein, 1 part carbohydrates, and 1 part vegetables. Using these guidelines, you can whip up any number of recipes. Here's a yummy example:

Buffaloaf

$10.00, 1 hour
3 cups ground buffalo (lean)

2 eggs

1 and a half cups old fashioned oats

three quarter's of a cup grated mixed vegetables, including zucchini, broccoli, carrots, and sweet potato

half cup cottage cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Hand-mix all ingredients and press into a loaf pan. Bake for 40 minutes. May be refrigerated, or frozen in slices for easy serving.

Substitute ground turkey, chicken, or beef, if desired. Mixing meats is not recommended.

Do Supplements Have A Place In Your Dog's Diet?

Though opinions differ greatly, I believe that a healthy dog's nutritional requirements can be fulfilled with little more than food and sunshine. Calcium and Magnesium levels are generally the only two deficiency concerns when feeding a homemade dog food recipe diet. You may supplement calcium with unflavored yogurt, white cheese, pulverized egg shells, and sardines. Vitamin D (to release the calcium) can be obtained from cod liver oil or time spent outside, in the sunshine. Magnesium is found in kelp and spinach, which are both acceptable, but only when steamed first.

The Indisputably Healthy Dog

No matter the feeding principle that you choose for your dog, some ideals encounter little argument among professionals:
Dogs need protein - vegetarian diets are widely disputed and do not offer complete nutrition for animals that are primarily carnivorous.

Commercial dog foods that contain a large percentage of grains offer little nutrition. Just look at a commercially-fed dog's poop. It's almost as big as when it went in!

Some commercial dog foods contain fillers...and more sinister ingredients, such as cancerous tissue, by-products of sick animals, shelter kills, and preservatives. Toxins aren't strangers either, as many tragically learned not so long ago (dog food recalls of 07 & 08).

Foods that are bad for you are probably bad for your dog. Fried foods and sugar-laden treats sabotage other valiant efforts and provide little or no nutritional value. Not to mention the belly aches!

Certain foods should be avoided completely, including:

Grapes and raisins, Onions, Mushrooms, Avocado, Hulled foods (corn, beans, peas), Tomatoes, Fruit, fruit pits and seeds, Macadamia nuts, Walnuts, Chocolate, Cooked bones, Coffee and tea, Yeast, Nutmeg, Salt, White foods (white bread, white rice), Foods included in the nightshade category may cause problems for some dogs (eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, white potatoes, iceberg lettuce, and raw spinach), and for some dogs, dairy can be pretty scary.

Kicking Portion Distortion

Not sure about your dog's appropriate feeding portion? 2-3% of total body weight is appropriate for most dogs. Very young dogs may need a bit more, while older or inactive dogs require less.
To calculate, multiply his weight, in pounds, by 16 to get his total body weight in ounces. Feed him 2-3% of that weight, daily. For example, if your dog weighs 50 pounds...

50 lb. x 16 oz. = 800 oz. (total body weight in ounces)

800 oz. x .02 = 16 oz. (total daily minimum food weight)

OR

800 oz. x .03 = 24 oz. (total daily maximum food weight)

You may choose to divide your dog's daily food into two feedings, or you may want to stick with one daily meal. Whatever your dog is accustomed to is fine.

Or, you may choose to count calories...

Dogs that weigh-in at less than 20 pounds generally require 40 calories per pound per day. For instance, your 12 pound Yorkie will require approximately 480 calories per day (12 lb. x 40 cal. = 480 cal. per day).

Dogs that tip the scales at over 100 pounds usually need about 15 calories per pound of body weight, per day. For example, a 120 pound Great Dane will need roughly 1800 calories per day (120 lb. x 15 cal. = 1800 cal. per day).

On average, dogs require about 25 calories per pound of body weight, per day. If in any doubt, less is always more. Moderate canine body weight has proven to extend the lives of our best friends. And who doesn't want even just one more day?


More Main Dish Recipes - Good Food with Attitude

Now that you have learned about the basics of home cooking for your dog, you can stir up these and many other recipes of your own creation. Here are just a few to spark your imagination. Remember, all foods should be served at room temperature, and left-overs may be stored in the refrigerator, tightly covered, for up to 4 days. Or, individual servings may be frozen for future defrosting and feeding.

Canine Casserole Recipe

$3.50, 15 minutes
1 cup cooked chicken or turkey

half cup steamed vegetables (carrots, broccoli, squash, spinach, sweet potato)

half cup prepared brown rice

4 Tbsp. no-sodium broth

Combine all ingredients.

Nice Rrrrice

$3.50, 40 minutes
2/3 cup meat of choice, cubed

three quarters of a cup carrot and sweet potato, cubed

three quarters cup instant brown rice

1 cup water

quarter tsp. garlic powder

Add all ingredients, except rice, to large pot and boil. When vegetables are tender, add rice and cook until done. Add more water as needed during cooking.

Pupper Fish

$4.50, 30 minutes
1 can salmon, deboned

1 beaten egg

3 Tbsp. cornmeal

1 potato

1 carrot

1 celery stalk

Cottage cheese or plain yogurt

Combine salmon, egg, and cornmeal. Form into patties and press into more cornmeal. Sautee in a canola sprayed pan until cooked through. Chop and steam the vegetables. Cut salmon patties into small bites and combine with the vegetables. If the mixture seems too dry, add a bit of cottage cheese or yoghurt.

Wrapping it up...Should You Cook For Your Dog?

Understandably, you may feel overwhelmed at the idea of feeding your dog from your own kitchen. Maybe you have little time to cook even for your own human family. Consider employing any of the following time-saving ideas to make your dog's increased well being and longevity possible:

• Instead of chopping fresh vegetables, keep bags of frozen ones on hand.
• Instead of pureeing vegetables, use prepared baby food.
• Prepare dishes in advance and freeze in individual serving sizes.
• Eat what your dog eats - prepare dishes that everyone (and every dog) can enjoy.
• Strike an agreement with your butcher. Talk to him about what you're looking for, and schedule a particular day of the week when you can stop in and pick up what he's reserved just for you.
• Use your slow cooker! Pop approved ingredients into the crock pot before you go to work in the morning.
• Involve other members of the household. Everyone can benefit from feeding Fido.
• Use the satisfied expression on your dog's face to fuel your finding of a few extra minutes every day...to give him a few extra years.
• Well, here's wishing you good luck, good eating, and many years to come with your kitchen's newest customer. He may not be a big tipper, but you'll be paid with as many licks and as much love as you can digest

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How to Make and Feed Your Dog a Complete and Balanced Diet.

Over the past few months, I have offered diet critiques that tweaked good home-prepared diets in order to address health concerns – or simply to optimize the diet. To do this, I analyzed the diets and compared them to the National Research Council’s guidelines for canine nutrition. I want to be clear, though: I don’t believe this is a requirement for feeding a homemade diet. Just as with the diet you feed yourself and your family, feeding a wide variety of healthy foods in appropriate proportions should meet the needs of most healthy dogs.

Problems arise with how this description is interpreted. Too often, people think that they’re feeding a healthy diet when key ingredients may be missing or are fed in excess. Here are specific guidelines to help ensure that the diet you feed meets your dog’s requirements.

1. Complete and Balanced

It’s important that the diet you feed your dog is “complete and balanced,” meaning it meets all of your dog’s nutritional needs. It is not important, however, that every meal be complete and balanced, unless you feed the same meal every day with little or no variation.

Home-prepared diets that include a wide variety of foods fed at different meals rely on balance over time, not at every meal. Similar to the way humans eat, as long as your dog gets everything he needs spread out over each week or two, his diet will be complete and balanced.

A human nutritionist would never expect someone to follow a single recipe with no variation, as veterinary nutritionists routinely do. Instead, a human would be given guidelines in terms of food groups and portion sizes. As long as your dog doesn’t have a health problem that requires a very specific diet, there’s no reason you can’t do the same for your dog.

Keep in mind that puppies are more susceptible to problems caused by nutritional deficiencies or excesses than adult dogs are. Large-breed puppies are particularly at risk from too much calcium prior to puberty.

2. GUIDELINES

Following are guidelines for feeding a raw or cooked homemade diet to healthy dogs. No single type of food, such as chicken, should ever make up more than half the diet.

Except where specified, foods can be fed either raw or cooked. Leftovers from your table can be included as long as they’re foods you would eat yourself, not fatty scraps.

Meat and Other Animal Products: Should always make up at least half of the diet. Many raw diets are excessively high in fat, which can lead to obesity. Another potential hazard of diets containing too much fat: If an owner restricts the amount fed (in order to control the dog’s weight) too much, the dog may suffer deficiencies of other required nutrients.

Unless your dog gets regular, intense exercise, use lean meats (no more than 10 percent fat), remove skin from poultry, and cut off separable fat. It’s better to feed dark meat poultry than breast, however, unless your dog requires a very low-fat diet.

Raw Meaty Bones (optional): If you choose to feed them, RMBs should make up one third to one half of the total diet. Use the lower end of the range if you feed bony parts such as chicken necks and backs, but you can feed more if you’re using primarily meatier parts such as chicken thighs. Never feed cooked bones.

Boneless Meat: Include both poultry and red meat. Heart is a good choice, as it is lean and often less expensive than other muscle meats.

Fish: Provides vitamin D, which otherwise should be supplemented. Canned fish with bones, such as sardines (packed in water, not oil), jack mackerel, and pink salmon, are good choices. Remove bones from fish you cook yourself, and never feed raw Pacific salmon, trout, or related species. You can feed small amounts of fish daily, or larger amounts once or twice a week. The total amount should be about one ounce of fish per pound of other meats (including RMBs).

Organs: Liver should make up roughly 5 percent of this category, or about one ounce of liver per pound of other animal products. Beef liver is especially nutritious, but include chicken or other types of liver at least occasionally as well. Feeding small amounts of liver daily or every other day is preferable to feeding larger amounts less often.

Eggs: Highly nutritious addition to any diet. Dogs weighing about 20 pounds can have a whole egg every day, but give less to smaller dogs.

Dairy: Plain yogurt and kefir are well tolerated by most dogs (try goat’s milk products if you see problems). Cottage and ricotta cheese are also good options. Limit other forms of cheese, as most are high in fat.

Fruits and Vegetables: While not a significant part of the evolutionary diet of the dog and wolf, fruits and vegetables provide fiber that supports digestive health, as well as antioxidants and other beneficial nutrients that contribute to health and longevity. Deeply colored vegetables and fruits are the most nutritious.

Starchy Vegetables: Veggies such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, and winter squashes (including pumpkin), as well as legumes (beans), provide carbohydrate calories that can be helpful in reducing food costs and keeping weight on skinny and very active dogs. Quantities should be limited for overweight dogs. Starchy foods must be cooked in order to be digestible by dogs.

Leafy Green and Other Non-Starchy Vegetables: These are low in calories and can be fed in any quantity desired. Too much can cause gas, and raw, cruciferous veggies such as broccoli and cauliflower can suppress thyroid function (cook them if you feed large amounts). Raw vegetables must be pureed in a food processor, blender, or juicer in order to be digested properly by dogs, though whole raw veggies are not harmful and can be used as treats.

Fruits: Bananas, apples, berries, melon, and papaya are good choices. Avoid grapes and raisins, which can cause kidney failure in dogs.

Grains: Controversial, as they may contribute to inflammation caused by allergies, arthritis, or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); as well as seizures and other problems (it’s not clear whether starchy vegetables do the same). Some grains contain gluten that may cause digestive problems for certain dogs. Many dogs do fine with grains, however, and they can be used to reduce the overall cost of feeding a homemade diet.

Grains and starchy veggies should make up no more than half the diet. Good choices include oatmeal, brown rice, quinoa, barley, and pasta. White rice can be used to settle an upset stomach, particularly if overcooked with extra water, but it’s low in nutrition and should not make up a large part of the diet. All grains must be well cooked.

3. SUPPLEMENTS

Some supplements are required. Others may be needed if you are not able to feed a variety of foods, or if you leave out one or more of the food groups above. In addition, the longer food is cooked or frozen, the more nutrients are lost. Here are some supplements to consider:

Calcium: Unless you feed RMBs, all homemade diets must be supplemented with calcium. The amount found in multivitamin and mineral supplements is not enough. Give 800 to 1,000 mg calcium per pound of food (excluding non-starchy vegetables). You can use any form of plain calcium, including eggshells ground to powder in a clean coffee grinder (1/2 teaspoon eggshell powder provides about 1,000 mg calcium). Animal Essentials’ Seaweed Calcium provides additional minerals, as well.

Oils: Most homemade diets require added oils for fat, calories, and to supply particular nutrients. It’s important to use the right types of oils, as each supplies  different nutrients.

Fish Oil: Provides EPA and DHA, omega-3 fatty acids that help to regulate the immune system and reduce inflammation. Give an amount that provides about 300 mg EPA and DHA combined per 20 to 30 pounds of body weight on days you don’t feed fish. Note that liquid fish oil supplements often tell you to give much more than this, which can result in too many calories from fat.

Cod Liver Oil: Provides vitamins A and D as well as EPA and DHA. If you don’t feed much fish, give cod liver oil in an amount that provides about 400 IUs vitamin D daily for a 100-pound dog (proportionately less for smaller dogs). Can be combined with other fish oil to increase the amount of EPA and DHA if desired.

Plant Oils: If you don’t feed much poultry fat, found in dark meat and skin, linoleic acid, an essential omega-6 fatty acid, may be insufficient. You can use walnut, hempseed, corn, vegetable (soybean), or high-linoleic safflower oil to supply linoleic acid if needed. Add about one teaspoon of oil per pound of meat and other animal products, or twice that amount if using canola or sunflower oil. Olive oil and high-oleic safflower oil are low in omega-6 and cannot be used as a substitute, although small amounts can be added to supply fat if needed. Coconut oil provides mostly saturated fats, and can be used in addition to but not as a replacement for other oils.

Other Vitamins and Minerals: In addition to vitamin D discussed above, certain vitamins and minerals may be short in some homemade diets, particularly those that don’t include organ meats or vegetables. The more limited the diet that you feed, the more important supplements become, but even highly varied diets are likely to be light in a few areas.

Vitamin E: All homemade diets I’ve analyzed have been short on vitamin E, and the need for vitamin E increases when you supplement with oils. Too much vitamin E, however, may be counterproductive. Give 1 to 2 IUs per pound of body weight daily.

Iodine: Too much or too little iodine can suppress thyroid function, and it’s hard to know how much is in the diet. A 50-pound dog needs about 300 mcg (micrograms) of iodine daily. Kelp is high in iodine, though the amount varies considerably among supplements.

Multivitamin and mineral supplements: A multivitamin and mineral supplement will help to meet most requirements, including iodine and vitamins D and E, but it’s important not to oversupplement minerals. If using the one-a-day type of human supplements, such as Centrum for Adults under 50, give one per 40 to 50 pounds of body weight daily. Note that most supplements made for dogs provide a reasonable amount of vitamins but are low in minerals, and so won’t make up for deficiencies in the diet. Be cautious with small dogs; I’ve seen some supplements that recommend the same dosage for 10-pound dogs as for those weighing 50 or even 100 pounds. In those cases, the dosage is usually too high for the small dogs and should be reduced. Products made for humans are also inappropriate for small dogs.

Green Blends: Often containing alfalfa and various herbs, green blends may be especially helpful if you don’t include many green vegetables in your dog’s diet. You can also use a pre-mix that includes alfalfa and vegetables, such as The Honest Kitchen’s Preference. Note most pre-mixes also supply calcium, so you should reduce or eliminate calcium supplements, depending on how much of the pre-mix you use.

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Healthy Homemade Dog Food Recipes Cheap

Commercial dog foods are usually filled with a variety of preservatives and additives, and its difficult to know whether your dog is getting enough nutrients and enjoying her meals. Although making homemade dog food takes extra time, it gives you the satisfaction of knowing that your dog's meals are both healthy and tasty. Learn what nutrients dogs need to stay healthy and how to prepare daily meals two ways: cooked or raw.

1. Understanding Dog Nutrition

Know what nutrients dogs need. A dogs digestive system is different from the human one and the balance of ingredients in homemade dog food needs to be tailored to the dogs special needs. When you cook for your dog, keep the following in mind:

• Dogs are carnivores, so at least half of a dog's diet should be composed of protein, which provides dogs with the nutrients and minerals they need to be strong and healthy. Chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, and fish are all acceptable sources of protein for a dog. Dogs can also be fed eggs and vegetables that contain protein.
• Organ meat, such as liver and kidney, should only be given to your dog a few times a week.
• Dogs may also eat grains, root and green vegetables, as long as they are thoroughly cooked.
• Feeding dogs a vegetarian or vegan diet can hurt their digestive system, since it's tough for dogs to break down large amounts of vegetables.
• Supplement your dog's homemade meals with vitamins made for dogs, to make sure they get everything they need. Talk with your vet about supplements you can buy. Be especially careful to make sure your dog has enough calcium, or she may suffer bone injuries as she grows and ages.

Decide whether to feed your dog raw or cooked meat. Some say that raw meat is better for dogs, since they aren't susceptible to the organisms that make humans sick from eating raw steak or chicken.Other sources claim that cooked meat is a safer choice.

• A raw meat diet often also include bones, which provide dogs with necessary calcium and other nutrients.
• Conduct research to decide what type of meat you want to feed your dog. Ask your vet if you want more information on the subject.

2. Preparing Cooked Dog Food

Cook 2.5 cups meat. You may use ground beef, chicken, lamb, turkey or any other type of meat your dog likes. Cook it by frying, boiling, baking, sauteing or otherwise heating it through.

• Add a small amount of organ meat to this recipe every other week, to ensure your dog gets the vitamins she needs.
• Olive oil is safe for dogs to eat, so feel free to use it to keep meat from sticking to your pots and pans.
• There is no need to season the meat with salt and pepper. Dogs don't have the same taste buds that humans do, and too many spices can upset their stomachs.

Prepare 2 cups of cooked starch. Use white or brown rice (brown rice may be helpful if your dog has digestive problems), oatmeal, barley or cooked pasta. Cook the starch a few minutes longer than you normally would to make it easier for your dog to digest.

Cook 1.25 cups produce. Use fresh or frozen fruit or vegetables, such as green beans, squash, broccoli, spinach, peas, carrots, bananas, or berries. Boil them until they're completely soft, then transfer them to a blender and puree until smooth.

• Dogs have trouble digesting vegetables, so it's important to make sure they're completely smooth before serving them to your dog.
• If you don't have the time or inclination to puree vegetables and fruits, you can substitute baby food or frozen pureed food. Just make sure it's sugar free.

Add calcium. Dogs need a lot of calcium to build healthy bones, so its important to add it to their daily diet. Prepare 1/2 teaspoon crushed eggshells or one teaspoon bone meal, which is available at pet stores.

Mix the ingredients. Place the meat, starch, pureed vegetables, and calcium supplement in a large mixing bowl. Stir the mixture thoroughly, then divide the dog food into serving-sized portions. Place the portions you don't serve right away in airtight food storage containers and refrigerate them until serving time.

3. Preparing Raw Dog Food

Buy raw meat. Go to your grocery store or butcher and purchase one of the following types of raw meat. Buy it with the bone in, since uncooked bones are soft enough for your dog to chew and eat.

• Chicken without bones. Poultry bones are brittle, they can get stuck in the dogs throat and can therefore be very dangerous to eat for your pup.
• Pork meat, bones, head and tail.
• Cow meat (not bones, since they are too hard) or calf meat and calf bones.
• Lamb meat, bones and heads.

Prepare the extras. Raw meat can be supplemented with other flavorful sources of vitamins and minerals your dog needs to be healthy.

• Liver, heart, and tripe.
• Whole eggs.
• Tinned or whole fresh fish.

Add greens. Dogs eating a raw food diet get almost everything they need from meat, but including some vegetables in their diet is a great way to add variety. Puree one or more of the following vegetables in the blender:

• Spinach, carrots, collards or parsnips.
• Apples, pears or other fruit your dog likes.

Serve the raw meal. Fill your dog's bowl with the proper amount of food according to her weight. It should be composed of mostly raw meat with a few extras and a dollop of vegetables or fruit. Store leftover meat and other dog food in an airtight food container in the refrigerator

Check out How to Make Dog Treats for healthy homemade treats you can make to supplement your dog's meals.

Don't introduce too many different foods to your dog at one time. The meals should be simple, and never spicy or greasy.

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Make Dog Food Cheap

Recently we have looked closer at our dog’s food. We have two dogs, Toby and Bailey, who are about 60 lbs each. Bailey is getting older and thus has arthritis in her back knee, which significantly cuts into her ability to run after the tennis ball. She ignores it but limps most of the time, especially after a long play session or lake swimming.

Not too long ago, we were turned onto a sure-fire ‘cure’ to her arthritis in the form of homemade dog food packed full of nutrients that are supposed to help reverse the affects of arthritis. We had tried glucosamine and anti-inflammatory pills, to no avail, we thought it was worth a shot. It had to be healthier for the dogs than the bagged dry dog’s food anyway.

We’ve had the dogs on the food for over two weeks now and have been giving Bailey extra vitamin C to help her immune system and we’ve seen a lot of progress. Her limp is almost gone except for after play, in which case it is short-lived. Both dogs’ coats are shinier and they don’t seem to be shedding as much, however that might just be coincidence this time of year.

We are hoping for more progress and two extra-healthy dogs for the rest of their years. The food is also reasonable to make, only about $6 per batch, which lasts our two big dogs 7 days when mixed with a little dry dog food. We give each dog 3/4 of a Solo cup full of the homemade dogfood and top off the cup with the dry food, twice per day


INGREDIENTS

3 cups of uncooked brown rice
2 cups of uncooked barley
2 cups of chopped raw carrots
2 cups fresh chopped beet root
1 cup fresh chopped beet tops
1 cup fresh spinach chopped
2 cups chicken livers
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tsp dry or fresh sage
12 cups of water

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine ingredients in a large pot.  Bring to a boil.
2. Simmer for 1 hour.  Keep pot covered, stirring every 15 minutes.

3. Add water as needed.

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How To Make Cheap Dog Food

Here at Savings Guide, we are constantly looking for new ways to assist with personal finance matters. And, with 36% of Australian households owning a dog and 23% owning a cat, it’s clear that pets play a big part in our lives, both emotionally and financially.

For the time being, let’s look at the third of households who own a dog. The costs of owning a dog are not stratospheric, with the RSPCA estimating you’ll need to spend a minimum of $650 on food alone. But, when we look at how best to ensure a long and happy life for Spot, it’s clear the cost and quality of dog food is an important issue. As a nation, we spend $1.8 billion annually feeding our pets, so this is also an area that affects a large number among us.

As the biggest expense- and one of the biggest factors in the health of a dog- it’s important that the diet we provide is well-researched, cost-effective and nutritious. Here’s how to keep the pooch one happy camper. Firstly, let’s look at what human food (otherwise known as leftovers) you can feed your dog, and then some options of pet food you can make at home to save money on commercial products.

Consider this a guide to making your own cheap dog food and alternatives to buying commercial dog food that is expensive.

Firstly, What Does Your Dog Need?

Like us, your dog needs a balanced diet. The pet food industry hasn’t existed forever. The first commercial products were invented in the late 1800s and some varieties were popular before the Second World War. During the war, however, pet food was classified as non-essential and animals were only fed dry food, such as kibble. The real explosion happened post-war.

What does this tell us? That the endless purchasing of a variety of products from the supermarket is not necessarily the best thing we can do for our animal. Animal nutritionists suggest a baseline of commercial product to ensure that their getting a full range of nutrition- look for packs that shout of being balanced and nutritional. But commercial products are a baseline only. Supplement your dog’s diet with a variety of healthy, homemade options and save money in the process. You’re looking to include a protein source, a carbohydrate source, vitamins and minerals as well as a small amount of fat.

Every dog is different, so it’s best to discuss what your dog needs with your vet to ensure they’re getting the best combination of foods for their health.

Human Food

Raw Bones

You’re doing your butcher a favour. This is the person you want onside, for while we might think of dogs eating any stray bone, the RSPCA suggests that they should be fed human grade meat. Dogs aren’t susceptible to salmonella as we are, but that doesn’t mean they can eat anything. Don’t feed them cooked bones, or any bones that might be small enough to swallow. Keep raw bones to once or twice a week.

Vegetables

An important way we can save money, the environment and our dog’s stomachs is to consider what leftovers a dog can be fed. Australians throw away $5 billion worth of food annually, so using everything we have in our fridge is essential for frugality purposes. And yes, your dog can be fed some cooked veggies. Pumpkin and carrots are good, though only in small amounts.

Pasta Anyone?

You might not think it, but a dog can quite easily munch down on a small serving of pasta or plain rice. Cooked of course. This is, again, a way to save on throwing food out and supplementing your dog’s diet of commercial product. Avoid feeding the dog anything that’s been doused in onion sauces or, you know, chocolate.

Cooked Meat

Small amounts of boiled chicken or lamb- sans delicious sauces of course- are perfectly good for the ol’ bow-wow. If you’re feeding your dog dry food, then a bit of leftover cooked meat can be an excellent way to supplement the diet. Just be sure there aren’t any bones in the meat.

A Can Here, A Can There

Likewise, a dry food diet can be supplemented with the occasional can of tuna. It’s a cheap, healthy alternative to pet food. Use tuna in springwater as opposed to oil, as that can be a bit heavy on canine stomachs as well as human ones. Keep fish occasional though, it’s a long time since dogs descended from wolves.

Homemade Pet Food

It’s important to note that it’s best to check all homemade pet food recipes with your vet to ensure it meets the need of your dog. Also, rotate what you feed your pooch and make sure it gets checked out twice every year. Only keep your homemade dog food for 3 days in the fridge. Making your own pet food as part of your dog’s diet is also a good way to avoid your dog being exposed to a large amount of preservatives in its food.

Hamburgers

Lean ground beef, combined with cooked carrots, potatoes, a slice of dry white bread, raw liver and brown rice makes an excellent patty for your dog to enjoy. So gourmet!

Ground Turkey

Ground turkey is cheap to buy and makes an excellent base for homemade pet food, especially when combined with carrots for nutrition. Oats can also be used as part of your dog’s starch requirements.

Meatloaf

Meatloaf is another cheap dog food option, and can combine all the nutrients that best suit your dog. Using a base of lean ground beef, veggies and eggs, you can tailor the meatloaf- in consultation with a vet- to include all the things that your dog needs and loves.

Leftover Trail Mix

Mix pieces of meat, potato and vegetables, even fruit (if not raisins). Lightly coat with cooking spray and chuck it in the dehydrator or a 200 degree oven until dried for a tasty dog treat.

Homemade Dog Biscuits

Combine 2 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour with a tiny bit of salt, one egg, 1 tsp of beef or chicken broth and 1/2 cup hot water. Mix into dough. Cut into slices or dog-shaped cookies and bake for 35 minutes.

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Cooking Your Way to Big Savings

It's been a wild and woolly weekend here with a lot of rain and wind. Our rain gauge overflowed so I'm not sure how much we got but Shane told me the TV news reported we got around 250mm, that's about 10 inches. It's been raining non-stop overnight, I reckon the rain gauge would be close to full again. I emptied it on Saturday morning. We just have to watch the creek which has been rising steadily for about a week now. With the rain, the temperatures dropped again so I'm back into winter clothes and rugged up in my cardigan and slippers.

It was good to be able to stay indoors and be productive and relatively busy. I've been sewing and making soap, and on Saturday I made a batch of dog food for Alice. It's a cheap and easy way to feed a dog good wholesome food and if you haven't tried our recipe for dog food and you have a dog, please try it. I'm sure your dog will love you for it.

We buy 1kg/2.2lbs of pet mince from the local butcher and add to it whatever vegetables we're growing or what we have in the fridge, but make sure you never give your dog onions or leeks. You could also use fish or chicken with the bones removed. The only other ingredients are some carbohydrates in the form of rice - 2 cups, and pasta - 2 cups, and I added a tablespoon of Vegemite, but you could replace that with peanut butter. It's just for flavouring so if you have neither the Vegemite nor the peanut butter, leave it out.

Use a large stockpot that will hold around 9 litres/quarts of water. Fill the stockpot to three-quarters full and add the meat. Break up the meat with your spoon and then stir in the Vegemite/peanut butter. Chop up all the vegetables, add them and the rice and pasta and stir. Bring to the boil and simmer for about 40 minutes. You have to make sure all the vegetables are soft as the dog might have problems digesting vegetables not fully cooked.

I store the food in portion-sized, plastic containers, and freeze them. The containers hold two cups. I make 12 containers, enough for 24 days. Alice eats half of one container a day, but you'd have to gauge the amount you feed your dog. It will depend on their size and weight. Alice is an Airedale, a medium sized dog and she's old. She also has breakfast.

It costs us about four dollars for the meat and maybe two dollars if we were to buy the vegetables, another one dollar for the rice, pasta, Vegemite or peanut butter and we've got a nourishing meal that our dogs love and I'm sure most others would as well. And again, we take control of the ingredients so we're not getting contaminants in the food we give our pets.

The closest I could find our food to do a price comparison was the 680 gram can of Supercoat dog food casserole (chicken vegetables and rice) for $3.18 at Woolworths. My guess is we would get two feeds for Alice from one can. So for 24 days, the canned dog food would cost us $38.16. or $1.59 per day. For 24 days of the home cooked dog food, if costs us $7, or 30 cents per day. One year's supply of the canned dog food would cost us $580.35 per year; one year's supply of the home cooked dog food costs $110. This is a saving of $470.35 per year. Alice is 13 years old so that saving for us in her lifetime, so far, is $6115. I would much rather have that money in my pocket than in the hands of a huge corporation. It proves once again that these small steps, the steps that only take us a bit of time and effort, can help us live well without buying into the convenience food market. You might not have thought of canned dog food as convenience food, but that is what it is. Minor adjustments could have your dog eating home cooking, which will keep him/her healthy and well nourished for many years. I wonder how much we've saved on vet bills in that time.

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How to Make Simple Gluten Free Dog Food Smackdown!

Even making a basic gluten free mixture, where all ingredients are easy to find in any supermarket, will satisfy your dog every time

Ingredients

• 3 pounds ground turkey or chicken
• 2 to 3 cups cooked brown rice
• 2 cups cooked vegetables, chopped
• 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce or pumpkin

Steps

Cook the meat. Add the ground turkey or chicken to a large pot and cook it thoroughly until no pink is seen. Leave the liquid in the pot; don't drain it.

Add the vegetables to the pot. Lower the heat to a simmer and mix well.

Add the rice to the pot. Break up the rice as you stir it into the mixture. The liquid from the meat will saturate into the rice, allowing for additional taste.

Add the tomato sauce or pumpkin. Fold it into the mixture and remove the pot from the heat.

Allow the mixture to cool. Set the pot aside for at least 15 to 20 minutes.

Prepare the mixture for serving. Measure a portion from the pot and immediately serve. Measure the rest into snack or sandwich size freezer zipped bags and freezer stock them.

The ground meat and vegetables can be cooked together in a slow cooker, for about seven hours on low. The cooked mixture can be transferred to a large pot for the final mixing.

Good nutritional vegetable sources includes sweet potatoes, green beans, broccoli, and squash. Be sure to steam or boil any cruciferous vegetables before adding them into the mixture.

Always gradually introduce a new vegetable into your dog's diet. Spontaneous changes may affect them, including upset stomachs and diarrhea.

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Top 10 Healthiest Homemade Dog Food Recipes

Pet owners and vets are divided in two very distinct camps when it comes to homemade dog food recipes. There are the naysayers who consider that food prepared at home lacks certain very important nutrients and minerals and there are the ones who consider dogs should eat homemade food. The food you prepare at home has the main advantage of being fresh, delicious and prepared with ingredients you actually know.

If you’re not sure which side to take, here are a few reasons that could help you understand the benefits of creating homemade dog food recipes. These are all based on professional and individual observations according to the type of food that was provided for the dog. We will talk about the benefits of homemade meals and their effects on your dog’s health.

Let us take a look at the pros and cons of using these two types of pet foods.

Commercial dog foods are prepared using processing methods which destroy nutrients in the ingredients. One of these processes is by subjecting ingredients to extremely high heat to kill all the possible harmful bacteria and microorganisms that may be present in the raw food.Processing plants make use of industry grade heating equipment which are designed to kill the smallest microorganisms in the ingredient.
The problem with this method is that most food nutrients are susceptible to excessively high temperatures. These include antioxidants, vitamins, and even protein content which can be rendered non-biologically available when their overall structure has been rearranged through the process of heating.
Some of the vitamins that can be easily destroyed are Folate and Vitamin C. Other processes that contribute to the loss of nutrients are boiling in large amounts of water, exposure to light and air, and contact with some types of metals.

Commercial dog foods make use of non-human grade food ingredients. If you are going to look at the product’s label at the back, you will notice some ingredients such as fish or meat meals which actually include parts of an animal which you won’t eat yourself.
For example, they contain organ meats such as hooves, feathers, entrails, brain, and other animal by-products. The worst thing about these ingredients is that the FDA actually allows animals that have died by other causes, such as ailments and diseases, to be included in dog foods. A lot of people think that since they are just dogs, they can be fed anything.
Well, looking at the state of health of pets that are fed only processed dog food, one can say that this is not the case. Another interesting ingredient that you may find in pet food is propylene glycol. This ingredient is used to maintain moisture in wet types of dog food although it is a chemical used in car anti-freeze.

Commercial pet foods usually contain artificial preservatives and other unhealthy additives. In order to prolong shelf-life and create an interesting “look” on their products, pet food companies will make use of artificial flavors and coloring as well as preservatives which are harmful for your pets.
These companies often defend its usage by saying that they only come in minimal amounts which do not have any significant effect on your pet’s health.But the truth is that the slow accumulation of these toxins will eventually lead to serious damage on your dog’s kidneys, liver, and heart. If you think that the natural antioxidants contained in the packaging will help counter these additives, just think that these antioxidants are also slowly destroyed by these chemicals and by the initial processing methods.

On the other hand, homemade meals will provide you with the following:

Homemade pet food contains the freshest and healthiest ingredients. When making homemade meals, you will have to visit the local market or grocer where you can find locally raised vegetables and meat products. This means a higher nutritional content since they have not been stored for months and they have not travelled hundreds of miles to slowly lose their nutrients during the long transit.
Aside from that, shopping for local produce gives you the opportunity to look for organically raised meats, vegetables, and fruits which are truly healthier for your pet. This way, you can be assured that your pet is not eating antibiotic, steroid and hormone-laden foods.

Homemade pet foods are less likely to lose nutrients by cooking methods. Since the food is cooked in small batches, they are cooked in less heat and water and so they also lose lesser nutrients during the cooking process. Compared to commercial food preparation, home cooking also makes use of lesser heat whereas industrial grade commercial cooking use extremely high temperatures.
There is also lesser stand-by time for the food before it is served to your pet so nutrients which are lost through light or air-exposure are better preserved.
If you are also going to judge by the look and texture of homemade versus commercially bought dog food, you will notice the difference – commercial dog food does not resemble any normal food at all.

Homemade dog food does not contain preservatives. This is perhaps one of the most valuable health aspects of making your pet’s food at home. The only way you can lengthen the shelf life of homemade food is by storing it in the freezer, which does not pose any serious health risks for your pet unless you serve the food frozen. You will definitely give a large chance for your pet to gain better health if you serve foods that are not contaminated with these toxic chemicals.

Different types of homemade dog food recipes

There are different ways to prepare your pet’s homemade meals but generally, they are classified into two types: cooked and raw meals. There are advantages and disadvantages in both types but they are definitely a better option compared to store-bought pet foods. Cooked pet foods can be prepared using the same methods that you use to cook your own meals: baking, frying, steaming, boiling, and grilling to name a few. In case of raw foods, they are the easiest to prepare.

Just clean your ingredients by washing them with water and then combine. You can also opt to cook the ingredients briefly in high heat in order to kill any germs or bacteria that are present in the surface of the food. Let us take a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of these two types of homemade pet foods.

Cooked dog food – Cooking does a lot of things to your pet’s food. First, it makes certain nutrients more readily available for your dog. Dogs do not have enzymes that break down carbohydrate in their mouths so cooking them makes it easier for your pet to digest them. Vitamin A in carrots and tomatoes has been shown to become bio-available through the cooking process.

Another benefit of cooking food is that it kills germs and bacteria which may be present in the meat or vegetable. This is not a major problem with dogs though as they have stronger digestive acids which can kill these microorganisms and even digest bones and other tough materials. It is only recommended for those who cannot bear to think of giving raw food to their pets or if their pets are not used to eating raw meat.

Raw dog food – Supporters of this type of pet food also have several bases in doing so. First, not cooking food helps to retain its essential nutrients such as enzymes, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. It also helps to maintain the natural moisture content of food which allows dogs to digest it much easier compared to cooked ones.

One of the best examples is meat bones. Cooking bones dehydrates them and makes them susceptible to splintering when chewed. Raw bones, on the other hand, are more pliable and digestible for dogs.  They also retain their nutritional components better than cooked ones. This is also true in cooking vegetables or fruits.

To prepare raw dog food, you just need to toss the ingredients together and serve. This is highly recommended for those who cannot find the time to prepare their pet’s meals.

Main ingredients of a healthy dog meal

When preparing your pet’s dinner, it is important to consider its nutritional needs. Remember that their dietary needs are different than yours. Dogs require a larger amount of calcium every day compared to humans and they also need more protein than carbohydrates. Many times, pet owners think that vegetarian meals are the best for their pets since it provides a lot of health benefits in humans. The problem is that a dog’s digestive system is made for a carnivorous diet instead of an herbivorous one.

If you are going to study it, you will see that they have shorter intestines and they also lack in digestive enzymes suited for carbohydrates.

Animal protein – Since a dog is carnivorous, their main diet should consist in animal meat or protein. If you’re going to take a look at their diet while in the wild, you’ll realize that they eat the whole carcasses of their prey. The recommended protein requirements are often based on daily percentages. Some diets require 75% meat while others only prescribe 50% of the overall meal. Dogs require a lot of protein for their overall growth and development.

Low protein diets often lead to musculo-skeletal problems and degeneration of mental abilities in dogs. Sources of animal protein can range from beef, eggs, turkey, chicken, venison, lamb, wild game, bison, buffalo, and rabbits. Pork is not recommended for dogs since they contain a specific type of parasite which can produce adverse health effects in dogs.

Vegetables – This is the second most important ingredient in a dog’s diet where they derive essential micronutrients such as vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, and enzymes. Pet owners are cautioned against using a large amount of vegetables since they lead to the formation of oxalates which eventually develops into kidney stones.

Some of the veggies that you can use in your dog’s diet include cabbage, celery, zucchini, squash, carrots, broccoli, and parsley. Eggplants, peppers, onions, beans, mushrooms, and garlic are not recommended due to their known adverse effects on dogs.  You also need to cook them until soft or put them in a blender or food processor before feeding so that your dog can digest them easily.

Fruits, grains and starchy vegetables – These last ingredients are a good source of carbohydrates which dogs need for energy. They also provide vitamins and minerals which are essential for their biological functions. Take note not to give a lot of these foods to dogs since they can lead to diarrhea due to a large amount of fructose or it can cause unnecessary weight gain due to excess carbohydrates.

You also need to be careful about the type of grain that you feed your dog; make sure that they are not allergic to it. Stay away from grains that are commonly genetically modified such as corn and wheat. Some of the best that you can give are potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, couscous, and brown rice.

Fats and oils – Fats can be easily gotten from meat products and as for oil, you will have to find the healthier types. These two ingredients are what keeps your pet’s coat shiny and glossy and they also help provide some isolation from the cold. Chicken fat, in moderate amounts, is a good source of linoleic acid and fish oil is a high in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

You can use cod liver oil, olive oil, canola, and other healthy types of oil except for nut oils if your dog is allergic to them. You can add a teaspoon or two of these oils per meal either by cooking or mixing them in.

Supplements – Although this is not considered to be a natural food, supplements help to provide additional nutrients which may not be gotten from whole foods. To make sure your pet is getting the nutrients they need, it is recommended to provide them with supplements such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, taurine, and vitamins.

Some recommend human supplements such as Centrum to be given at least once each day or you can buy supplements specifically made for dogs.

10 best homemade dog food recipes for your pet

To help you prepare your own homemade dog food recipes, we found some of the healthiest and most delicious ones. We have incorporated both cooked and raw recipes to help you choose or even try them out if you’re curious. The recommended meal servings per day, for a dog, will depend upon his breed, size, age, and health condition.

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Top 5 Best Homemade Dog Food Recipes

It isn’t uncommon for a dog owner to decide to make homemade dog food. Whether you just want to save money or you want to make sure that you know what type of ingredients are going into your dog’s meals, it isn’t that difficult to do. The most important thing is to make sure they get foods that contain protein, calcium and other nutrients they need for energy. You’ll want to keep an eye on health, make adjustments when needed, and don’t overfeed them. You can also check with your veterinarian to make sure you are getting them what they need or if you need to add a supplement.

There are three basic ingredients that you need to have for your dog to have a well rounded diet: some form of meat, a vegetable or two, and something for bulk (like rice or lentils). There are also some ingredients that you should never use when make dog food at home. Stay away from bacon and ham, onion, sugar, tomatoes, grapes, chocolate or dairy products. Since the only dairy product dogs should consume is plain yogurt, it’s important to give your dog a calcium supplement since it is an important part of their diet.

You can also find other additives to toss in to ensure your dog gets all the nutrients he needs, like Nupro Dog Supplement or Wiz Pet Multi Goodness. These supplements will ensure your dog’s homemade diet is well balanced and good for them.

Here are five great homemade dog food recipes that your furry friend is sure to enjoy. And for those weeks when you’re just too busy to cook, consider one of the grain-free suggestions from our guide to the best dry dog foods.

1. Homemade Chicken Dinner for Dogs

Dogs love chicken, and it can be an easy meat ingredient to use for homemade dog meals. While you can swap out some of the vegetables in this recipes, avoid onions and if you use carrots cook them well. Carrots can be hard for dogs to digest.

While you can grind up the meats in any of these recipes, you don’t have to. You can also just dice up meat, into smaller bites.

Ingredients:

5 pounds Chicken – you can use whole chicken, and include the neck meat, hearts and livers. You can also just use boneless skinless chicken breasts if you find a better price.

2 cups of red cabbage

2 apples (skinned)

2 cups of spinach

5 whole eggs, raw or cooked

2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions:

You can cook the food, or feed your dog a raw diet. However, with a raw diet you want to make sure you are buying fresh meats which doesn’t always happen at a grocery store.

Either way, chop up the chicken and boil it in a suitable sized pot for all ingredients until it is almost fully cooked. Reduce to a simmer and add the cabbage, spinach, and apples, diced up. Simmer until the chicken finishes cooking. Remove pot from stove, let cool, then add the eggs and olive oil and stir.

How long this batch lasts depends on the size of your dog and how many times you feed them each day. Two and a half cups is usually good for a large dog around 60-75 pounds, if you’re feeding them twice a day. Keep leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to five days.

2. Homemade Fish Dinner for Dogs

Fish is a wonderful meat choice for dogs, but your dog doesn’t need to go catch them. The healthy omega 3 fatty acids found in fish are good for your dog’s skin and coat. Some dogs may be allergic to fish, so if your dog starts to itch a lot when eating a fish diet check with your veterinarian.

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds of fish fillets, frozen is fine. Tilapia and Swai are both great options and on a lower price scale to save money.

• 1 or 2 cans of pink salmon

• 3 whole eggs, raw or cooked

• 3 cups of diced vegetables. Some great choices include cabbage, cooked squash, peas, green beans and kale. You can use two or more.

• 1 cup of cooked rice (white or brown), cooked oatmeal, or cooked lentils

Directions:

Again, you can grind or dice the fish then cook it. Mix the chosen vegetables into a pot of water, bring to a boil and then simmer for about 5 minutes before adding the other ingredients. Mix and let cool. Keep in refrigerator in well sealed container for up to three days, or freeze.

3. Chicken, Broccoli and Rice Dinner for Dogs

Broccoli is a great treat for dogs, whether you feed it as a snack or in their meals. It can promote fresh breath and it’s rich in calcium. This particular meal is great to help ensure your dog has a well-balanced mealtime.

Ingredients:

5 pounds of diced chicken (see first recipe)

5 whole eggs, raw or cooked

5 cups rice (white or brown)

3 cups of broccoli, chopped

3 tablespoons of olive oil

Directions:

Boil chicken and a rice until the chicken is almost fully cooked, then add broccoli and simmer until the chicken is finished. Let the meal cool and then add the eggs and oil. This doggy dinner can also be kept in the refrigerator for up to five days.

4. Homemade Beef Dinner for Dogs

Ingredients:

10 pounds of ground beef (or ground turkey)

10 whole eggs, raw or cooked

5 cups rice (white or brown) or lentils

3 cups of mixed vegetables

Directions:

There are a couple ways that you can do this recipes to make it more fun and interesting for you and your dog. You can either cook the meat and rice/lentils up in a pot with water and add the vegetables near the end of cooking, or you can cook the rice/lentils and vegetable until soft, mix everything together with the raw beef and form them into meatballs. Cook meatballs at 400 degrees for about 45 minutes, or until fully cooked.

You can use these for meals or as an easy to catch snack, once they are cooled. Refrigerate in a sealed container for up to five days.

5. Homemade Doggy Dessert Dinner

As mentioned previously, fruit is good for dogs. While they don’t normally enjoy citrus and they should not be fed grapes, there are many other fruit choices that are very palatable for dogs. Your dog might even like to snack on fresh frozen fruits just as a simple treat. Blueberries are perfect for that!

Feed entire fruit meals sparingly, since too much may give your dog a case of diarrhea.

Ingredients:

2 pounds of chopped up chicken, cooked

3 cups of diced fruit (melons, berries, pitted cherries, apples, pears)

3 cups cooked rice, white or brown

Directions:

Simply mix the ingredients together and serve. Refrigerate for up to five days. This will only yield a small batch, since you don’t want to overdo it on the fruit intake.

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Easy Cooked Dog Food Recipe

Easy Cooked Dog Food Recipe Ingredients:

• 10 lbs. of raw ground beef
• 18 eggs including the shells (the egg shells supply digestible calcium to your dog. Yes, studies have proved that the calcium in egg shell is highly absorbable.)
• 5 cups uncooked white rice (The rice will need to be thoroughly cooked before making this recipe. I believe the five cups will yield approximately 15 cups cooked rice. Use white rice not brown because it is more easily digested by your dog.)
• 1 tube of LickOchops omega fatty acid supplement (This supplies important omega 3 & 6 fatty acids in a 1 to 4 ratio, this is good! It also contains natural source vitamin E.) Click here for this supplement.
• Dinovite dog supplement (This supplies a host of vitamins, minerals, digestive enzymes, zinc and live direct fed microbials. Dinovite also has a nutritious plant component in the “Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate” that replicates the partially digested plant matter of herbivores.  All great stuff!) Click here for this supplement. I use 1 tablespoon of Dinovite per cup of dog food. In the video I show the Dinovite Liquid but now I use the powder because Dinovite has discontinued production of the “Dinovite liquid” in the single serve packets.

Easy Cooked Dog Food Recipe Yield:

Approximately 40 cups of dog food.

This  dog food recipe can be halved or doubled to accommodate the size of your dog or for multi-dog households. Do not feed this dog food recipe without the Dinovite and LickOchops dog supplements as it will cause this dog food recipe to be deficient.

Directions for easy cooked dog food recipe:

1. In a very large pan add the 10 pounds ground beef.
2. Add the cooled cooked white rice.
3. Blend 18 eggs in a blender with shells then ad to mix.
4. Mix well and completely with your hands until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
5. Make about 6 or seven meat loafs and set on pans.
6. Preheat oven to 350 F.
7. Cook meat loafs for about 1 hour or until done.
8. To watch the easy cooked dog food recipe video directions click here.
   

Storing your Easy Cooked Dog Food:

Place 2-3 days worth of the dog food recipe in zip lock bags or plastic freezer containers. Store them in your freezer.

I personally prefer the freezer containers because they are easy to fill, thaw and serve. There is never any mess. I take one out and let it thaw on my counter. Feed my dogs and store the unused portion in my refrigerator. When it’s empty I wash it and it is ready for the next batch. Mix up some more of the easy cooked dog food recipe and I’m ready to go. It works well.

NOTE: Remember you are handling raw meat so use common sense when making this dog food recipe. Use the same precautions you would use when handling raw meat for your family.

Serving Size  “Easy  Cooked Dog Food Recipe”

*Special note: These are general guidelines, we are not trying to land a man on Mars. If your dog is losing a little weight and this is not desired, increase the amount you are feeding. If your dog is gaining weight on the serving size then cut back a little. In short, adjust the serving size depending on your dog’s age, weight and activity level.

• 10 lb. dog – 1/2 cup cooked dog food daily + 1/2 tsp Lickochops + 1/2 tbs Dinovite
• 20 lb. dog – 1 cup cooked dog food daily + 1 tsp Lickochops + 1 tbs Dinovite
• 40 lb. dog – 2 cups cooked dog food daily + 2 tsp Lickochops + 2 tbs Dinovite
• 60 lb. dog – 3 cups cooked dog food daily + 3 tsp Lickochops + 3 tbs Dinovite
• 80 lb. dog – 3 1/2–4 cups cooked dog food daily +3 1/2 tsp Lickochops + 3 1/2 tbs Dinovite

*Special Note: If you add the supplements to the whole batch when making the dog food recipe it is not necessary to add them with each serving. Use whichever method you find easier.

Introducing this new”Easy Cooked Dog Food”

• Fast your dog for 24 hours before starting this diet. Water should be available to your dog during the fast. This will give time for the old dog food to pass through your dog’s digestive tract. It is important to follow this procedure to limit digestive upset. This is an important step, ignoring this step greatly increases your dog’s chance of having digestive upset.
• Day one and two: Feed a portion 1/2 the size of a normal meal.
• Day three and four: Feed a portion 3/4 the size of a normal meal.
• Day five: Feed a full portion.
• Special Note: The whole process takes 6 days when you include the 24 hour fast. This method will allow your dog’s digestive tract time to adapt to the new food.

Please follow this introductory method, your dog will be fine. Your dog will not starve or hate you. Rapid diet changes can cause vomiting and diarrhea. A horrendous mess all over your house!

***Important Note: Do not mix kibble and the “Easy Cooked Dog Food” together! Doing so will GREATLY increase the chances of digestive upset for your dog!

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