Problem number two - like any dog owner, I like to treat my dogs, but I don't want them to gain too much weight or start helping themselves when I'm not looking.
How have I resolved these two issues? I have started to make some of my own dog food, well, adding to their food, actually. I frequently use my crock pot to make meals and that same crock pot leaves behind yummy smelling liquid. Sometimes, I use this to flavor rice or make a gravy for biscuits. Other times, I use some of this to add nutrition and flavor to my dog's meals. I'll add leftover rice or potato or some stale bread to this broth. By adding this to my dogs' bowls, along with their regular food, I am stretching the food, I reduce my food waste, increase the nutrition of their food, and give them a yummy treat that isn't being given off of our plates.
I have also been known to add leftover bits of pasta, broccoli, carrots, and apple. None of these bits would be usable for us humans, but are a nice bonus for my pets. I should add, it makes me very popular, too!
By firedogemb from CT
Grate a range of veggies to make about 2 cups: potato, carrot, or pumpkin (don't use onion). Mix in 1 lb (1/2kg) of minced beef, chicken, turkey, 2 eggs, and about 1/2 cup good plain yoghurt. Blend thoroughly and add enough plain flour to make the mix 'rollable'.
Press into scone trays or similar, score the top with a knife into the size pieces you want (little pieces for small dogs, larger for your big guys) and bake in a slow oven until the biscuit is quite dry.
I find the dogs just love them, they contain all the goodies they need and are also very handy for traveling. I actually add a few capsules of fish oil and empty capsules of glucosamine into my mix as my Collie gets arthritis. It helps her tremendously and certainly does no harm to my other babies either! Just break up the pieces when cooked and cool and store in airtight containers. Get a few trays done and freeze some also.
Cheers
By Vicki K from Australia
I used canned green beans (whatever "cut" is cheaper). If I can get "no salt" green beans economically, I use them; otherwise, I just rinse whatever kind I have.
I prepare several days worth at a time, and I use a stick blender to puree them slightly. I have also used a potato masher successfully.
I started my mini Rat Terrier, Sarge, on a teaspoon a day, and gradually went up until he overcame his suspicion of them. He is now eating over 1/2 cup per day, and LOVING them. When I am opening the cans and pureeing his "gee-bees" (that's what we call them so the little brainiac won't know they're vegetables), he is begging for them.
I think Sarge would have lost some weight by now if I hadn't been sharing portions of my snacks with him. Unfortunately, we have both gained, but that's MY fault.
By Jayni from Richmond, TX
By Betty
Mix and place in 2 large or 3 small loaf pans. Bake 350 degrees F for one hour or longer, depending on your oven. Remove from oven and cool for 30 minutes.
Turn out on cutting board and cool completely in order to slice well. Slice and put in containers to freeze.
It is easier to mix ingredients if you puree beans, stock, eggs, garlic, salt, Worcestershire sauce and veggies before adding remaining ingredients
By Betty from Lubbock, TX
Add leftovers and at least 2 tablespoons of cooking grease or oil to it. Bake in 450 degree F oven in iron frying pan or large pan until golden brown.
As a little girl, I made 2 large pans of cornbread everyday and we had 4 large dogs. This is a very well balanced diet for dogs and cheaper than premade dog food.
Note: Do not feed your dogs or cats bones as they don't digest and slivers can harm your pets.
By fuzzytufts from Folkston, GA
Then I add about one dropper full of infant vitamins per big dog, a half dropper full of infant vitamins for medium dogs, and 1/4 dropper full for small dogs.
By Robyn Fed from Hampton, TN
My mini Schnauzer had to have a kidney stone removed. My vet recommended "Hills Prescription diet C/D. She hates this food, plus we have 4 more mini Schnauzers that we would like to feed the same thing. I am thinking about cooking for them. I need simple recipes that would be good for her and also healthy for the rest of my babies. Also do I need supplements to add to this?
By Schnauzers R Us from McKee, KY
By runtcleo
08/20/2011
Please check out this website. The web link for your Mini Schnauzers is: http://www.dogster.com/dog-breeds/Miniature_Schnauzer This website is wonderful! You can click on the top "Food", then click on "How to Choose a Health Dog Food", then at the bottom under "Related Videos" click on the one that says "How to make Healthy food for dogs". This website has a lot of different information for all breeds too. Good luck and God Bless!
*For Fonja you can go to this website as well & this one for skin problems and allergies:
http://www.bichonhealth.org/HealthInfo/SkinProblems.asp
Please assist me with a homemade vegetarian recipe for dog food to feed my 2 month old German Shepherd.
By Ash
By K9cats
07/03/2012
Hello,
Your puppy needs protein (meat) in his diet as dogs are a carnivore. Your puppy will not be healthy eating that diet. Please call your veterinarian for advice on this diet.
I want to make meatloaf for my elderly toy Poodle who is in reasonably good health. I considered putting grated carrots and brown rice with the ground chuck. What about cheese and perhaps tomato sauce?
Do you have a healthy recipe or are any of the ingredients I listed detrimental for my little, tiny Peanut?
Thank you for any input.
By Nancy E.
By Lorelei
01/09/2012
I use a pound of deer meat, fry it in the skillet and drain the low content of grease before adding a drained can of vegetables either chopped green beans, carrots or peas along with 3/4 cup of rice and additional water. If I use the beans, I wash the brine off them to remove salt. Salt should not be in their diet, nor onions, or darker vegetables such as spinach or broccoli.
Any leftovers are placed in a container with lid and stored in the frig for later. Can also add the extra to a new batch later. If you choose to use chicken or turkey, make sure the skin is removed from the meat before preparing; this part is not good for dogs. Because there is natural fat in chicken, I boil it in water and remove the grease content as it can make a dog vomit as my dogs are sensitive to chicken fat. You can make this into a meat loaf or as a casserole type skillet dish.
Also, my dogs enjoy a meat pizza for their birthdays. I used a can of biscuits rolled flat, cooked and drained ground beef or deer, boiled hot dogs to remove salt and fat and a thin spreading of low calorie cottage cheese sprinkled with a garden tomato diced.
Place the biscuit dough in a pizza pan, generously sprinkle the meat and sliced hotdogs over it and add other ingredients and bake. Cut into bite size pieces and serve warm. Leftovers can be heated in microwave with a wet paper towel placed on top to keep the bread moist.
I looked at recipes for my toy Poms, but many use corn flour and some fish. According to the breeders and vets corn and fish are bad for them. Where can I find proper recipes?
By Johann
I am looking for a homemade recipe for a dog that has pancreas problems. My dog is 15 years old and the food that the veterinarian gave me is not working for my dog. She is still sick some times. I would like to try a homemade recipe to see if I could make her feel better.
By Trudy from Nephi, UT
By tommy.a.stark
01/29/2013
Black beans are great for dogs with pancreatic issues.
I need homemade dog food recipes that contain no sodium.
By Darleen from Dolgeville, NY
By leekelly
09/21/2010
Not sure if you are still looking, but I have some dog treat recipes you can check out. I use oatmeal, wheat flour and molasses, and a few spices. Had to buy a book. leekelly245 AT gmail.com
I have heard that it is not good for Yorkies to eat homemade dog food, made with meat and veggies? Aren't they better for the dog than most dog food? Considering how they make dog food and what they put in it. What is right? Can you please tell me.
Trixie
By Sally_Admin
02/10/2009
(Submitted via email)
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My dog is a picky eater and she loves homemade food. What should I do I have a yorkie. Sheila
I used the 2 ends of an onion in a large pot of chicken stock that I was making for my dog. Would that amount (strained) harm my dog?
By Catherine
By Anonymous
01/23/2012
That small of an amount this one time in a dog that looks as large as yours has probably not done any damage but in the future it would be best not to feed your dog 'anything' that is in the allium family in any amount. You can search the internet for which plants are considered alliums. Even many flowers are in that family. Long term damage of even small amounts can cause Heinz Body Anemia so it's best to simply steer clear of allium in any form.
When including potatoes in homemade dog food, should skin be on or off?
By Lizzie M.
By muttmom
02/08/2012
I always soak the potatoes in a little vinegar water, then scrub them or even better is to scrub and then soak. Seems all growth mediums are being polluted by Monsanto poisons. I want as little poisons in my food as possible. My animals deserve the same.
There are certain nutrients in potato skins that are good for all of us, minus the poisons. Careful of your chicken ingredients. Latest chicken jerkey recall (Not all brands) for pets was a product of China and caused lots of dog deaths. Easy to Google dangers in dog foods like our own chicken is raised with arsenic to make them grow fat faster. Plant chemicals and poisons are nasty as well. Some can make you sick, some can make you and your pets fat faster, some can ruin your lands forever and your waters as well.
I want to put my Chihuahuas (I have 3 of them) on homemade food. I am looking for a recipe for homemade dog food for a healthier, leaner dog. I had them at a doggie daycare and they are getting too heavy for my liking. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
By J. Matheson
By TXBetty
01/09/2012
I just put my dog on a grain free dry dog food because they "poop" less and I think grain free puts on less weight. Think I read that online or heard it somewhere. You may do some research on this. Also, one reason for the grain free diet is my dachshund had back surgery in October and still doesn't have complete control of his stools. Less poop and easier mess to clean up if he happens to not make it outside on time.
I am making dog food with chicken, organic brown rice, and veggies from the garden. Is it OK to put beaten eggs in while I am cooking the rice, like "egg drop soup"? I freeze the food in canning jars. My dogs are large breed, 6 years and 3 years old. Thanks.
By SueP
Are there any recipes using deer meat for a Lab mix with bladder stones? I have a Lab mix that has bladder stones. The vet has her on Hill's Prescription Diet C/D and she does not like it and its ingredients do not seem to be very healthy for her. I also have 2 Pitbull mix, 4 beagles mix, and 1 other mixed breed. I would like to start making their food using deer meat instead of beef. Are there any recipes for bladder stone prevention using deer meat?
By Michel J. from Statesville, NC
I would like a homemade dog food recipe for my two dogs. Thanks.
By Sue
By frugal
02/20/2012
I have been making my dog food like this:
I cook beef bones or chicken bones for a couple of hours in a large stock pot on low heat. When all bones have cooked down in the water it makes for a very nice broth, then I remove all the bones and add all the odds and ends of vegetables I've been cooking with all week (for ex. carrots, celery ends, potatoes with skins, green beans etc.)
I do not add any onions or garlic salt or pepper to this. I will also add a handful of lentils, quinoa, brown rice I may have leftover and a cup or 2 of rice to the broth and cook until all the veggies are soft. I have noticed that my dog doesn't take well any broth left on the "mush" so I try to leave it pretty dry.
I mix this with his regular dog food, I try to buy my dog a good dog food so he gets the necessary nutrition from the dog food that may be missing in the homemade food but I notice that I save a lot of dog food by supplementing with homemade food and my dog certainly likes it. I hope this helps.
It has certainly has helped me save some money on dog food, and I know what my dog is getting too. Oh and by the way I got this recipe from "the Hillbilly housewife"
I have a 3 month old Pit Bull. What type of food can my baby Pit eat if I run out of dog food?
By da kidd
By fuzzytufts
06/11/2012
In a pinch what you eat or cornbread or biscuits or light bread from the store. It is your pet and as long as you care for it and it doesn't go hungry then you can't go too far wrong except for candy and choc. Those will kill him/her.
We are making our own recipes for our dog. Will rice be OK as his basic food mixed with finely diced chicken or beef with just a little gravy?
By Ted
By ROZ
03/14/2012
Yes, it is okay to include rice in your dogs diet. I give my dog rice quite often and she loves it. If you look on dog food labels you will see they have added it to the food. Also it is very good for puppies a lot of puppy foods will say chicken and rice or some other meat but always include rice, brown or white I have only ever given white rice to my dogs, and they are thriving. Also my dog loves sweetcorn so when I open a can for my family I will pop some in my dogs meal she loves it.
I was watching your videos on how to make your own dog food, but unless I'm crazy, I didn't see anything about the types of vegetables to use in the dog food. Can you suggest what can be used? Thanks.
By Carolyn
By tessvowels
02/27/2012
I use sweet potatoes, carrots, beets, pinto beans... avoid onions. I also add fruit: apples, bananas, whatever is in season. I also add oatmeal, barley, brown rice, & wheat germ. Make a stew. My dog loves it! Sometimes, make a fish stew... dog & cats like.
I have a 13 1/2 year old black Lab with colitis. I can't afford the ID food from the vet anymore. What is a good home-made food for a 100 pound dog?
By Mary
By MagpieFairy
01/05/2011
Hey there!
I/D food is the easy/more expensive alternative to hamburger and white rice. Cook up a big batch (do not fry), freeze it, and heat it up as needed. That way you aren't making it every night and you aren't spending a fortune on it in the store.
*Hot tips:
Malox can be used in dogs if he gets an upset belly. Try syringing 6 cc into his mouth when his tummy is a bit sour.
Vanilla yogurt is a great supplement and easy to digest. Maybe a cup before bedtime will help keep him on the right track. :)
Simmer a large (family pack) of chicken thighs with just enough water to cover. Cool. Remove chicken and clean meat off the bones. Save stock and chill.
The pet food recalls are making me freak out! Does anyone know how to make home made dog food? I LOVE my Dog, and am going crazy as to what to feed him. He is 2 years old, and is a small dog.
Homemade food recipe for my 7yrs old small yorkie dog? Who had surgery because of oxalate calculi stone and does not want to eat any of the dog food his vet doctor suggested to make homemade meals.
Jackie from stamford ct
With the recent pet feed recall, a lot of pet owners are nervous about giving store bought food to their dogs. Some readers have expressed an interest in recipes for making their own pet food. Do you have any homemade dog food recipes to share? Feel free to post them below.
This is a recipe I came up with for my dogs: Doggone Delicious Pumpkin Protein Shake
Ingredients:
Directions
1. Stir the yogurt / kefir and pumpkin together in your dogs food bowl, until well blended.
2. Add your peanut butter and fruit / vegetables, stirring until they are evenly distributed throughout the mix.
Makes: 1 serving for a 5 - 20 pound dog.
I feed this to my toy and miniature poodles every 2 days, especially in the spring when they are most active.
Note: I freeze the canned pumpkin and kefir into serving sized cubes, and pull out the morning I intend to make this for my dogs. (05/01/2008)
By Ellen
By Cindy
By Mary
By JoanDogs
By alisacarol
By Lisa
I am looking for yummy recipes for my dog who has little interest in food right now. She's been put on Prozac recently and she's underweight already.
I'm looking for a homemade dog food recipe.
By Heather from Grand Rapids, MI
I lost my job awhile back and money is very tight. I have 5 dogs all over 45 pounds (46, 47, 55, 59, and 65 lbs.).
I need to make homemade dry and wet food for my Shih Tzu who I think is allergic to wheat or something in commercial food. Can anyone help with some recipes?
I am looking for recipes for home cooked food for my Yorkie puppy?
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Homemade Dog Food Recipes