Making your own dog food is not as hard as it sounds. There are several things that make creating your own dog food beneficial. When you cook your dog food instead of buying it prepared, you maintain the ingredients, you know the nutritional value, you control the calorie intake, and you control the food your dog will eat. Your dog will love you even more.
When you prepare your own dog food the control of your dog's diet is completely under your direction. If you are in control of your dog's diet, pay attention to your dog after the addition or elimination of any singular type of food. If your dog has medical issues that can be controlled through diet, the addition or elimination of foods will display the results in your dog. Watch for abnormal behavior such as chewing of skin, oily stool, vomiting or any other sign that can be a result of a change in diet. This will tell you the different combinations of foods that your dog will tolerate so that you can plan accordingly.
In addition to the ingredients that you have on hand to making your own dog food, make sure you have the proper containers to store the food. The containers needed to store the food should be air tight, and water proof. Gallon glass containers with a screw top are good to store homemade dog food. The containers opening should be large enough for access with a serving utensil. Large containers enable you to make dog food that will last for a few days to a few weeks. This will enable you to vary your dog's diet without worrying about what you will do with the leftovers, or having to make something everyday.
The ingredients that are around your home normally are ingredients that you can use for making your own dog food. Even spices that you have can be used. One item to use sparingly is garlic. While you can use garlic, only use garlic in small amounts. Garlic is something that can cause thinning of the blood. Sugar and salt are also something that you should avoid and then recipe calls for sugar, substitute honey or agave nectar. These are two natural ingredients that are not processed like sugar. If a recipe calls for salt, use sea kelp. Sea kelp has natural salt and many other ingredients that are healthy for your dog.
6 cups water (beef or chicken stock can be used)
1 pound ground turkey
2 cups brown rice
1 teaspoon rosemary
1 package 12 oz frozen vegetables
Directions:
In a large 5 quart pan, Brown turkey and break up into small pieces. Add liquid, stir in rice. Bring water to a boil, lower temperature to a slower simmer. Cook rice until all water is absorbed. Add rosemary and vegetables stir until all are combined. Cover and let simmer for about 15 minutes until vegetables can be easily pierced with a fork. Cool and serve appropriate amounts to your dog and Store unused portion in an air tight container.
Mix it up:
2 parts chicken (legs, wings)
1 cup Brown Rice
1 Pound ground Turkey
2/3 cup Rolled Oats
3 Cups Mixed Vegetables
1 can Kidney Beans (mashed)
2 Carrots shredded
1 cup Cottage Cheese
In a large pot place chicken parts and add water until chicken parts are completely covered. Turn heat onto high and cook until chicken is done. When chicken is done, drain water and save. Pull skin off of chicken. Pull meat off of bone. Cut chicken meat into small bit size pieces, Brown turkey until brown, drain off fat. Add chicken and saved water to browned turkey. Stir in brown rice, and oats. Bring water to a boil. After water boils, lower heat to a slow simmer, place cover over pot and simmer until all water is gone. After water is gone, add in frozen vegetables, carrots and beans. Combine until all is mixed well. Cover and remove from heat. Add in Cottage Cheese when vegetables can be easily pierced with a fork. Cool and serve appropriate amounts to your dog at last Store unused portion in air tight container.
