How do I make homemade dog food?

**baxjul** · 01-27-2009, 07:42 AM

Does anyone on here do that? I'm looking into it, and wanted to know if anyone had any "recipes" for it. Thanks.

**Pemberleyan** · 01-27-2009, 09:10 AM

I've been through several different home-made dog food "stages," so I'll share what little I know. I read "Food Pets Die For," which I would highly recommend. It has great information about commercial foods and some recipes also.

I have a dog who was itching so much -- biting and scratching himself until he bled sometimes. It became clear that he was allergic to most dog food, which usually contains wheat or corn as its primary ingredient. Corn and wheat are not natural food sfor a dog (carnivore). In an effort to relieve his suffering, I began feeding my dog a meat diet, but my particular type was too high in fat and sent him into a terrible gastritis episode. Unfortunately, we have had to go to an expensive prescription venison/sweet potato food supplemented with home-cooked venison for this particular dog.

That said, there is no reason to fear making your own food -- I was just ignorant of the importance of the right ratios and variety. There are a lot of recipes out there and I would recommend going to one of the Yahoo Groups like K9 Kitchen. I have fed canned mackerel, rice, eggs, venison, bass, chicken, green beans, broccoli, lettuce, ground beef with fat removed, added vitamins and glucosamine and chondroitin, etc. It's important to get your ratios right.

You may be aware that there are a few foods that should never be given to dogs: grapes, raisins, onions, chocolate, to name a few. They can be very toxic to dogs. Cooked bones are also especially dangerous.

I hope this has given you a little direction to get started.

**shadowfax** · 01-27-2009, 10:25 AM

Go here and read about the B.A.R.F diet.
http://www.canismajor.com/dog/barf.html

go here and read and learn about dog nutrition and dog food ingredients
http://www.dogfoodproject.com/

go here and read and cook
http://dog-care.suite101.com/article...g_food_recipes

I did the home made thing for a while. My dog has a lot of allergies issues related to corn and wheat. After about three months I discovered the world of human grade dog foods. Much easier and in the long run I think cheaper not to mention no worries about balancing diet. My dogs are eating California Natural right now.

**madhen** · 01-27-2009, 10:34 AM

My guys get homemade. Basically, they get a mix of about 2/3 meat and 13 veggies, with some organ meats and vitamins mixed in. I'll just throw it all in the food processor and make a big batch, then put it in separate bags for individual feedings. Sometimes, I'll throw in a bit of fish oil or garlic, if the mood strikes. Mostly, they get one raw meal a day, and one cooked (because that is how I sneak in their supplements and it takes to long to dice up raw meat that fine). For snacks, they get raw poultry or "RMB's" (recreational meaty bones).

It is not impossible, although it does add a little time to your prep (as opposed to scooping out kibble from a 40-pound bag). Price, if you are budget-conscious, can be as cheap as feeding kibble, and is definitely cheaper than feeding canned. My guys are 90-pound brutes, so they eat a LOT.

I've recently been giving them homemade snacks, as well. Dried up a bunch of jerky for them and also started making them dog cookies last week, as it is cheaper to make them, and I know what is in them!