Homemade Dog Food

just wanted to make a comment. I am a "natural" feeder as well and make all my own foods. One VERY important thing to remember here is dogs do not chew their food 100 times before swallowing, therefore, it is extremely important to ensure veggies have been ground fine to ensure nutrients can be absorbed by their bodies. When swallowed in whole form, nutrients are locked in and will not release. Also important to note many nutrients, minerals and vitamins come from different sources, therefore ensuring you alternate between ground and root vegetables, adding ground/powdered egg shells for calcium and different oils for the omega fatty acids is a must. Our dogs may look great now, but it is when they hit their older years we will see the affects of what we fed now. Also, soft foods will not promote healthy gums and teeth. Therefore, feeding RAW (and I stress RAW) meating bones are also mandatory. Cooked bones splinter. Raw bones are what wolves and coyotes have been feeding from for thousands of years. Good luck! It is well worth the research and effort to know your dog is getting only the best.

this is an unhealthy recipe to be fed full time. There is no source of calcium. The spice is unnecessary and the amount of carbohydrates at 61% is too high. This is no way balanced or complete for a dog. There serving suggestions are not correct as dogs need to eat a certain caloric requirement. Our pets deserve to be fed correctly not just what may look good.

I think this is a great basic recipe to add to. I ususally double this recipe and make the following changes. First I vary the meat each week, sometimes turkey, chicken, beef and occasionally some liver added. I used 2 1/2 pounds of meat which is just a little more than the recipe calls for, but I also add 6 beaten eggs which I whirl into the boiling mix as it cooks. I think variety is very important so I also change grains with each week. I have used lentils, barley, brown rice or even oatmeal. Make sure your garlic is cooked as raw garlic can make your dog sick, and never use onions as a vegetable as onions make them sick as well. I use a variety of vegetables and mix and match them in each batch. I don't use the gassy veggies like brocoli or cauliflower as my guys have tender tummies and all the gas just wouldn't be good. I do use a mix of fresh and frozen veggies usually carrots, peas, green beans and squash. It is very important to cook your grains well and also to whirl the veggies up in the blender since dogs have short intestinal tracks and can not digest these carbohydrates easily and won't get the nutrition that they need from them if they are left whole. Make sure they get their calcium! I save all my egg shells and rinse them out. I bake them for 10 minutes in a 300 degree oven to get them nice and brittle, then blend them until they are powder. I put a spoon of eggshell powder and a spoon of Omega supplement on each feeding.

Actually it IS a very healthy recipe. No where does it say this is all your dog can eat. Like humans, we need different foods.I just spent hours this morning researching healthy foods to feed dogs. This one pretty much sums it up. Again, not the ONLY thing to feed your pet. But this won't hurt them either. It may be a little too much garlic.....a little garlic is very good, but not a lot. Vegetables are great but need to be pureed for the dog to be able to digest them.

Woof! Dewoofsious!

I have a dachshund who has Cushing's and is also gluten intolerant so this is great due to the brown rice. I don't add the rosemary but do add a 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. turmeric since it is a natural anti-inflammatory. I agree with other reviewers, its a good idea to puree your veggies - also real important to give some natural uncooked bones for healthy teeth and gums.