Dog Community

Getting Ready To Take The Leap

Posted : 7/29/2009 10:45:02 PM

Into Homecooking.I have ordered some books.The Nature of Animal Healing,The Healthy Dog Cookbook,The Whole Pet Diet and Everything Cooking for Dogs Book.

This evening after work Frosty set by the frige waiting for the chicken I had fixed Tuesday.Nothing else would do.I think he is trying to tell me something.He does not like to eat most kibble foods I have tried and the one he does like to eat gives him very bad poops and other unpleasant side effects.

I hope I can figure this out.Myrt gains weight easy,she is not as active as Frosty.Doing this for Frosty will be easy compare to Myrt.I may need to seek a pro's advice since Myrt needs more fiber in her food.

I would like to get them some raw bones to chew on but I don't know what would be good to start them on. They have never had a raw bone.

They are very strong chewers.Any suggestions?

Frosty had a dental done a week ago.It took him at least a day and a half to get back to his active ball chasing self.Myrt's back teeth are needing to be cleaned but I feel uneasy about having her knocked out after seeing how hard it was on her brother.

jennie_c_d

Posted : 7/30/2009 7:01:54 AM

Chicken peices are what most people start with, and they're considered the best for tooth cleaning. You don't want to give super hard bones (weight bearing bones from heavy animals like cows) to power chewers, because you'll end up with cracked/chipped teeth, and still need that dental.

RoRo100

Posted : 8/2/2009 9:55:08 PM

If by "taking the leap" you are referring to making home made dog food for you dog -- It's actually pretty easy and not as expensive as you might think... I found a great dry dog food (taste of the wild) but I like to give my dogs dry in the am and moist in the pm....But they didnt seem to like any of the high end wet foods and I was disgusted with some of the things I found out went to to the lower end products. My vet gave me a couple of websites BARKBARKIMHUNGRY.com has some free recipes -- But to be honest I just followed one my mother uses which actually has a better balance them most other recipes I have found. (meat, brown rice, barley, mixed veggies, oil...and I usually add some chopped eggs & cottage cheese just before I serve it)....As for the meat I usually have 2 kinds (even fish) & for veggies I usually try to use a variety including sweet potatoes. Also since veggies can be hard on their belly I cook them first and chop them up pretty well in a food processor. My dogs LUV LUV LUV it!

About once a month I cook up a big batch of it and seperate it into container and store it in the freezer...

Now I didnt want my dogs so spoiled that they wouldnt eat anything but home cookin so I do feed them kibble in the am and then every few days I rotate in a high end canned food -- I found that the really enjoy natures variety canned dog food but it's pretty pricey...go figure.

Brenda Hicks

Posted : 8/3/2009 8:52:20 AM

I'm afraid I've got one that is all ready spoiled.I've made him a picky eater.He does like the Nature's Variety Instinct canned food if I don't put kibble in it.It is pricey.

I had hoped some of my books would come today but it will be the middle of the week.I do have Dr. Pitcairn's gudie to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats

shamrockmommy

Posted : 8/4/2009 12:19:12 PM

Have fun :) I enjoy making meals for my guys. I started out with Strombeck's _Home Prepared Dog and Cat Diets_ which was very helpful and quite easy. Also Monica Segal has some good booklets out with recipes.