How many have switched to homecooked......

I went to 100% raw many years ago, then homecooked via Volhard (with some adaptions), then started adding kibble again when I had a wreck that left me wheelchair bound for about four months.  Then when all the recall stuff started happening I took first Ben, then Maggie and Zhi, off kibble but still used some cans and the rest of the dogs got about half kibble.

Then I got frustrated with companies changing ingredients, raising prices, playing fast and loose with customers, more recalls - and I fired all the commercial dog food companies, altogether.

I love it.  I get all the benefits of the six star super premiums, but even more customized and fresher ingredients, and about half the price. 

stanton

and like it due all the recent recalls in the last 2yrs??

 

Me!  But I didn't do it because of the recalls.  Both of my dogs have stomach issues and it's just way easier to prepare the food myself because I've learned what works and what doesn't for their bellies.  I don't just like it, I LOVE it and so do they! 

brookcove

I love it.  I get all the benefits of the six star super premiums, but even more customized and fresher ingredients, and about half the price. 

Lucky you. I had to stop making dog food because it was costing me at least twice as much as even very expensive kibble.

I'll start again one of these days...

 I didn't really switch because of the recalls, but they didn't deter me at all.  I switched to raw because of the benefits for my dogs.  And because of Crusher's tummy troubles.  Its just so much easier to control what goes in, if I feed raw. 

I've homecooked for five years or so, and also feed top of the line kibble.  I like that the dogs are getting the very best of both worlds.  None of the foods in my kibble rotation were affected by the recalls.

  I just finished a consultation with Mordanna and will be switching Jessie to a home cooked diet starting next week. It doesn't have anything to do with the recalls; I just don't think any living being should live on highly processed food. The only animals that are expected to live on food from bags and cans their entire life are animals that we take care of; all other animals eat fresh food. Also, Jessie has numerous food allergies and her choices are limited to less than a fourth of commercial food on the market.

Stocked up on enough fresh food to last the dogs at least 1.5 mnths, between chicken, turkey, veggies, eggs, canned salmon, brown rice, oatmeal, powdered calcium, and a few other things, thus far, I will add more to the rotation....but I've got enough to get us started.

With one 53# and 2 little 6# dogs, it cost me $130 for all of the above.

With top of the line dry dog food, i.e. Orijen and canned food of Nature's Variety for those same 3 dogs, I'm spending around $170/month, including treats.

I will keep close attention on costs, as I don't make a whole lot, but I know the Orijen food takes a good chunk of change each month. Rivers can't eat Innova (too much dairy), Cal natural has too much grain, Healthwise is difficult to get, Canidae has gone to the toilet, Taste of the wild is produced by a company I don't thoroughly trust, and on down the line.

He was doing excellent on Nature's Variety Instinct Rabbit, until I found out the Rabbit comes from China......FORGET that!

I went to homecooked for about 12 weeks during the recalls last year.   It was costing me about $30 a week to feed a 13# dog - MUCH more then kibble or canned and it was getting to be too much work.    Now I do 1/3rd homecooked which works great for me.   The rest of her diet is 1/3rd canned foods and 1/3rd kibble.    The kibble is used exclusively for training and treats.

I'm on my 2nd month of 100% raw and I wish I'd started when I got Kane. He loves it, his poop's no longer runny or atrociously smelly, all his hair grew back and healthly and he's as lively as ever. His teeth are also pearly white and it actually cost me less to feed him fresh food. Ever time I go to the grocery store, I cringe at the idea that I used to feed my boy dried pellets for dinner.

JoAnnDe

I went to homecooked for about 12 weeks during the recalls last year.   It was costing me about $30 a week to feed a 13# dog - MUCH more then kibble or canned and it was getting to be too much work.    Now I do 1/3rd homecooked which works great for me.   The rest of her diet is 1/3rd canned foods and 1/3rd kibble.    The kibble is used exclusively for training and treats.

 You have one 13# dog and it was costing you $30/week?? What were you feeding?

My 2 6# dogs have been eating strictly homecooked on and off for the last 5yrs, only maybe 2 mnths out of the year do I throw in canned food or dry food for a while, but 95% of their diet is homecooked. I've never spent $30/week on their food.

Their homecooked meals consist of moderate amounts of chicken, turkey, eggs, beef (very little), salmon, veggies, and small amounts of grains. We rotate their meat source every week or two, and get one full meal of salmon during a week. They also get supplements, i.e. calcium, vit E, and a small amount of human powdered mult-vitamin.....I do buy in bulk amounts all at once, but it's never cost me that much to feed them.

One chicken will supply my 2 little dogs with enough meat for a week and a half, and my chihuahua requires a lot of food.

wasn't the recalls, it was a dog developing cancer at age six. Which I blame on Purina and their nasty ingredients. The fresh foods do cost more up front than dried up lumps, but the savings on teeth cleanings and vet costs make up for it. I have a friend who was paying a fortune each month to the vet for treating her dogs numerous ailments and she switched to raw and well, dog mysteriously got well.