Have you ever wondered what goes into cat and dog food? If you’re thinking whole chicken, choice cuts of meat, fresh grains and vegetables, you’re wrong. To be fair, there are some fairly good brands out there that use good ingredients but the cheap dodgy looking tins will usually contain intestines, udders, heads, hooves, and possibly diseased and cancerous animal parts.
Not appealing is it?
If you want to make sure you know what’s in your dog’s food, make it yourself!
Some follow a ratio of 40 percent protein, 30 percent vegetables and 30 percent starch. For the protein, popular choices include any kind of animal flesh or organs, eggs, cheese, beans (it’s OK for a dog to be vegetarian). Any vegetable other than onions - onions are harmful to cats and dogs. Popular starches include brown rice and quick-cooking oats.
It’s best to prepare the vegetables you serve your dog by steaming or baking, to retain the nutrients. Dice them into fairly small pieces before cooking them.
Cook the protein and grains as directed, and mix with the vegetables. You can leave it “chunky”, or you can pulse it in the food processor to make it very fine. Allow the food to come to room temp before serving it to your dog (this also applies if you’ve taken food out of the refrigerator).
Many people add garlic, ground egg shells, and fish oils or flax oil to dog food, as they’re all very good for dogs.
Your homemade dog food can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for 4-6 weeks.
(source: answerbag.co.uk)
Ingredient ideas for dog food:
- Rice is a good carbohydrate for dogs. Brown rice is preferable as it has more nutrients.
- Brewers yeast which can be found in some grocers and health stores.
- Flour, such as corn flour, soy flour or whole wheat flour.
- Codliver oil or flaxseed in small amounts adds omega 3 and helps keep their coats shiny.
- Garlic can help get rid of tape worms and fleas as well as fight infection. (caution as large amounts can cause illness in dogs)
- Meats suggested to use are liver, beef, tuna, lamb or chicken. It’s easier to add to food if the meat is ground.
- Dogs also enjoy peanut butter and biscuits can be made with them by adding flour, bone meal and/or powdered milk, brewers yeast and even carrots. Peanuts are one of the few nuts that are safe for your dog.
- Some vegetables are ok such as carrots, broccoli and spinach, but they need to be put through a food processor first to aid in digestion. (Broccoli is not good in large amounts.)
- Bonemeal may need to be added to ensure they are getting calcium. Raw meaty bones are a good source of calcium. Powdered milk is also a popular ingredient in dog food.
Crunchy Biscuits Recipe (via Craftzine)
2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
2/3 cup beef broth from bouillon
1/2 cup peanut butter
6 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon molasses
1 egg
Mixing bowls
Wooden spoon
Cutting board
Knife
Baking pan
Oven
Total prep time is about 10 minutes, cooking time 35 minutes.
Directions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350° F.
Step 2: Mix the dry ingredients in one bowl: whole-wheat flour and cornmeal. Then mix the wet ingredients in another bowl: beef bouillon, peanut butter, vegetable oil, egg, and molasses.
Step 3: Combine the wet and dry ingredients into one mixing bowl. Now knead and fold with a wooden spoon until well blended.
Step 4: Roll out the dough on a cutting board, making a large roll of dough. Slice off pieces in sizes appropriate to your doggie, and place them on a greased baking pan.
Step 5: Bake at 350° F for 35 minutes.
Step 6: Enjoy and don’t forget to share!
