When Chelsea (our 1 year old Beagle Mix) first came to us, she was so skinny that her bones showed through her skin. Her hair was course like a horse hair brush. She had itchy hot spots on her skin which were diagnosed as eczema even though her allergy tests were all negative. She had smelly ears that over produced earwax. She had terrible nervous habits like chasing and barking at her tail, and she would get spooked at every sound. She hated her commercial dog food and refused to eat any more than would keep her alive.
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I hope it's not commercial dog food!  The city of Los Angeles alone, for example, sends some two hundred tons of euthanized cats and dogs to a pet food plant every month. Not only is this immoral and disgusting... it's deadly. The true horror is the drug used to kill these stray and abandoned animals, Sodium Pentobarbital, is not broken down by the manufacturing process and is still present in active form in your dog's food!! And dog food companies don't stop with pets, your dog is also eating euthanized animals from zoos, animal control and putrid, decaying road kill. All of these dead animals and other ghastly materials are processed until the portion left over for dog food production is a brown powder, which consists of ... 25% fecal matter - yes, 25% animal crap! [Author, Howard F. Lyman]  Preface: Gone are the days where we can depend on the dog food companies to do all of the caring about the nutritional requirements of our pets. It's all about the money these days. Unwanted pets have grown to unbelievable numbers in this country. And what did you think they would do with all of these euthanized pets? Purchase a nice burial plot for them? Donate cremation services and spread the ashes in the wind? No, they obtain these dead animals, for free, then process them into dog and cat foods, then make a profit by selling it to you. We are misinformed into believing that the commercial pet food we buy and feed to our dogs, is the best that money can buy. But it's a lie. Along with the dead and diseased animal carcasses we are feeding our dogs, they get the added deadly bonus of the poison that was used to euthanize the animal in the first place! AND many times, the collars that were around their necks and the plastic bags they were transported in!!! Other ingredients that are added to commercial dog foods are laden with hormones, anti-biotics, and pesticides. Then they add so many preservatives in order to give the dog food a shelf life. These preservatives are known to cause many different types of cancer, and other health issues such as poor energy levels, resistance to infection, skin sores and allergies, poor fur quality, diarrhea, vomiting, infected eyes and ears, etc., which in turn drives up the price of our Vet visits! Please visit This Website then return here. There is an advertisement but the information that is given will change the way you think of dog food forever! In the wild, a dog will thrive on mostly small animals, (and also abandoned kills of larger animals) birds, eggs, root veggies, berries and nuts, and other "last meal" contents that the "fresh kill" would have in it's stomach. Our dogs would eat all of the parts of the kill, raw and uncooked, including the skin, bone, bone marrow, and other by-products of the animal. In years gone by, the portions of raised live stock which humans would not eat (skin, blood, bone, cartilage, of a chicken) were used as the "meat by-products" and "bone meal" of commercial pet food, which is perfectly fine pet grade food. Today however, as you can see from above, "meat by-products" can mean a horrible array of things we wouldn't want our dog to touch or smell, let alone eat! To be safe today, we must look for a commercial dog food that uses only "Human Grade" ingredients in order to make sure we are getting quality food sources for our pets. Additionally, they should have a good meat source listed as the largest by volume (first listed) ingredient. Unfortunately, most commercial dog foods do not list a good meat source first, and of those that do, they do not list it as being "human grade". This means that and ingredients list which shows "chicken" as the first ingredient, could very well mean that the meat could be a diseased ridden chicken carcass that is not fit for human consumption. I no longer feed my dog kibble at all because even if I could find a brand that contains only human grade meat or bone meal that I could afford, this is still the equivalent of eating the same dry meal every single day, at every single meal ... it's just cruel. But if you must rely on kibble for some or all of your dogs nutritional needs, then at least take some time to learn to read ingredients of commercial dog foods, and find out what they mean, or better yet ... make your own! (recipe below). With a little bit of research, I have found that the best commercial Kibble Name Brands today are: Best In Show, California Natural, Flint River Ranch, Innova, PetGuard, and Solid Gold. There are others, but I do not know of them. Click HERE for more information. There is a growing number of people who insist that a completely Raw Homemade Diet, (See the BARF diet) is the best foods for our dogs because it is exactly what they would eat in the wild. Raw food diets consist of meat, bone, meat by-products and ground veggies. And although it is true that the more we process food (ours and our dogs) by cutting, cooking, freezing, etc; the more vitamins and nutrients are lost; I do believe it is more important that we provide healthy non diseased foods of the nutritional value that our dog's require, more so than if it is raw, or cooked, shredded, pureed, or frozen. Further more, 4 cups of raw meat (which is what I would need to feed my dog daily on the raw diet) would be very very expensive! But with the exception of very few items, our dogs are much better off eating the same meals that we eat, (even spaghetti and meat balls), than to survive on commercial dog food. You could simply do your grocery shopping in amounts that would provide for one more mouth to feed, and your dog would surely live a longer and healthier life than she would on commercial dog food. Foods that should not be given to dogs include: Grapes and raisins, Onions, Mushrooms, Avocado, Tomatoes, Fruit, Macadamia nuts, Chocolate, Cooked bones, Coffee and tea. Foods included in the nightshade category may cause problems for some dogs (eggplant, peppers, white potatoes, iceberg lettuce, and raw spinach), and many dogs have known allergies to dairy, soy, corn, and wheat (the latter is prevalent in commercial dog food). Complete ProteinsMeat, Fish, Poultry, (including skin, organs, bone marrow, and raw bones) Milk, Cheese, & Eggs. are all animal proteins that contain ample amounts of all essential amino acids and fats. Dogs should get at least 40% of their daily nutrition from Complete Animal Proteins. As long as you alternate the different varieties of proteins your dog receives, the other 60% of her diet is much less important. Change up his/her source of Complete Animal Protein every other day or so, to provide both variety and the different benefits of all of the different meats. Lamb, Beef, Chicken, and Turkey are excellent sources of Protein as is their organ meats (such as Liver), Skin (no fur or feathers) and Raw Bones (do not cook). Pork can be given less often as it is very high in fat and can be taxing on the liver, and Ham give least of all as it has a very high in fat and salt content. Eggs are the perfect food which provides everything needed to sustain life and a dog should have at least 2 eggs every week, and up to 1 a day. Egg shells provide additional calcium (don't throw away those egg shells). Fish provides needed Omega-3 and can be given once a week. All raw bones are great for dogs, they get the nutrients of the marrow, and the benefit of a good tooth scrub. I repeat ALL RAW BONES are GOOD FOR DOGS. Incomplete ProteinsPlant Proteins such as Soybean, Tofu, grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and vegetables are incomplete proteins but are healthy for their fiber and other nutrition they provide. Additionally, certain combinations served together will compensate one for the other, to complete the protein, and are less expensive than meat. Through these combinations, we can provide an occasional meal void of animal protein; supplement the remaining 60% of our dog's meals, and still provide complete protein nutrition. These combinations are what make vegetarianism a healthy possibility for dogs and humans.  Combine any 1 item from each of the three columns, and you've got yourself a complete protein. The Oatmeal, Peanut butter, and Sesame seed oil looks like it would make a good cookie doesn't it? Your dog will think so too!! Additionally, any one of these items served with an Animal Protein serves to complete the protein. Veggies contain more nutrients when purchased fresh, and then steamed just until almost tender, but not over cooked. Although frozen, boiled veggies can be used and still provide the benefit of fiber, (they simply do not have the nutritional value that fresh has and you therefore must give more). Dogs can get 25% of their daily nutrition from Veggies. Squash, pumpkin, cucumber, zucchini, carrots, cauliflower, parsnips, beets, yams, sweet potatoes, and broccoli (but will cause gas), are all great sources of veggies. Some dogs may have difficulty with beans, peas, raw spinach, beet greens, chard, onions, fresh garlic, tomato, potato, and bell peppers. Additionally, chocolate, avocado, and mushrooms should never be given. Whole Grains should be steamed in twice the amount of water, in a pot with a tight fitting lid, until cooked (20 to 30 minutes). Dogs can get 25% of their daily nutrition from Whole Grains. Brown rice, barley, wild rice, millet, and oats, are easily obtainable at the grocery store. Additionally, Rye, Buckwheat, and Bulgur can be obtained at the health food store. Other StuffVitamin Suppelments: Though opinions differ greatly, a healthy dog's nutritional requirements can be fulfilled with little more than food and sunshine. Calcium and Magnesium levels are generally the only two deficiency concerns when feeding a homemade dog food recipe diet. Calcium such as Cottage Cheese, and other cheeses. pulverized Egg Shells, Sardines, Plain Yogurt provides nutrients that help the digestive system. Herbs for flavor and interest, such as rosemary, bay, cinnamon, and low sodium chicken bullion. Garlic Powder will naturally prevent fleas and adds flavor to food. Vitamin D Cod Liver Oil, Sunshine. Magnesium Magnesium sources include steamed spinach, legumes such as beans and peanuts, nuts and seeds, whole grains and ‘hard’ tap water. Halibut is another excellent source of magnesium. Other foods that contain magnesium, although not in as abundant quantities include: milk, cheese, and bananas. Any meal that does not contain at least 1 of these latter 3 foods, should contain one of the earlier mentioned magnesium rich foods. Make Your Own Whole Meal Dog Food Diets
50% Complete Animal Protein, 50% Other 45% Complete Animal Protein, 55% Other 40% Complete Animal Protein, 60% Other 35% Complete Animal Protein, 40% Combined Incomplete Proteins, 25% Veggies & Other 30% Complete Animal Protein, 45% Combined Incomplete Proteins, 25% Veggies & Other  Which diet is right? Well, if your dog is hyper, or if you work all day and the dog doesn't get a lot of exercise, and if you can afford it, then choose the 1st option which provides less carbs (less short bursts of energy fuel). If 50% Animal Protein just isn't in your financial budget, then choose a different diet. What is important is that everyone (pet and owner) are happy and healthy. How much food to feed your dogThe more nutritionally packed the food is, the less you need to feed. but a good rule of thumb for daily portions, is to start with 1 Cup for every 10 pounds of your dogs weight. My dog is 40 pounds, so I feed her 4 Cups of food daily (2 in the morning and 2 at night). I give her 40% Animal Proteins, 35% Combined Incomplete Proteins (carbs), and 25% Veggies with Supplements if needed. Your dog will show you how much is enough. Cut back if they are getting fat, add more if they are getting thin. It is best to split up the daily portion into two meals, to avoid bloating. And all food should be served at room temperature. Save time by making a large batch, and freezing daily portions in ziplock bags or plastic freezer containers. The night before, set out 1 container to thaw on the counter. In the morning give 1/2 of the room temperature food, and put the other half in the fridge. At night, take the other half out of the fridge, and nuke for a minute, in a microwave safe bowl, serve when it has cooled to room temp. I make 2 or 3 different meals on the weekends, freeze individual daily portions, then change up what I'm feeding my dog every day so she gets a variety. I take my ingredients from this basic list. Remember, any meal that has at least 40% Complete Animal Protein, does not need to have it's grains (carbs) combined. I additionally buy several different grains for her, then mix them together and store them in a glass jar in the cabinet. When I want some grains for her meals, I simply pour them into a measuring cup. These recipe's are human food, so they are good for you too. Try some recipe's for the whole family! Mac & Cheese with Chicken for the whole Family
1/2 lb. Elbow Macaroni, cooked to package directions. 3 C. Boneless, Skinless Chicken, cut into bite sized pieces and cooked with the macaroni. 1 t. Garlic Powder 2 T. Olive Oil 1 T. Italian spices, or a dash of: Thyme, Basil, Marjoram, Rosemary, Sage, Savory, and Oregano. 1+ c. (or to taste) Mild Cheddar Cheese, grated; or Cheese Wiz 1- c. (or to taste) Milk Parsley & Parmesan Cheese garnish. In a sauce pan, combine the Cheese, Milk, Herbs, over medium heat and mix until melted. Pour over the cooked Macaroni, and garnish. Humans get it hot, with Salt, Pepper & Onion Powder to taste. Dog gets it room temp ~ no onion, salt, or pepper. 50/25/25 Stove Top Meat Loaf
4 C. Ground or Chopped Meat ~ don't mix meat types together in one dish. 2+1/2 C. Cold Water 2 Eggs, plus their pulverized shells (run through the food processor until it is powder). 2+1/2 C. chopped fresh or frozen Carrots. 1+3/4 C. uncooked Barley (will yield 2+1/2 cups) 1 T. Garlic Powder. 1 T. Bullion 1 T. Olive Oil 1/2 C. Cottage Cheese. Put all ingredients except cheese, into a large pot with tight fitting lid. Bring to a boil, and reduce heat to simmer, cover and cook 20 to 30 minutes. Check to see if the grains are done, and if so, remove from heat and stir in the cheese Bring to room temperature before serving or freezing. 40/35/25 Stew
3 C. Chopped small, Beef Stew Meat 4 C. Water 2 C. chopped raw or frozen Green Beans & Carrots 1 C. uncooked Pasta 1 T. Garlic Powder 2 T. Bullion 2 T. Mixed dried Rosemary & ground Bay 1 T. Olive Oil Put all ingredients except pasta into a large pot with tight fitting lid. Bring to a boil, and reduce heat to simmer, cover and cook 20 minutes. Add Pasta and cook 10 minutes more. Remove from heat and cool Stew & it's Gravy before serving or freezing. Breakfast Oatmeal Casserole
4 C. Water 2 C. steel cut Oats (will yield 4 cups) 2 T. Peanut Butter 1 C. Yogurt 1/2 t. Cinnamon 1 t. Olive Oil In a pot, bring Water and Oats to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 30 minutes. Add Peanut Butter, stir, and remove from heat. Add all other ingredients once the pot has cooled to room temp. No Time To Cook
If you aren't serving Grains, you don't have to cook the meal at all. Here's a favorite:2 raw uncooked Chicken Legs (previously frozen is fine but must never have been cooked) room temperature. 1 carrot chopped, room temperature. Throw it in the dog food bowl and watch her go to town. Basic Kibble
3 C. cooked Brown Rice (or other grains) 3 C. cooked Oats (or other grains) 2 C. dried Milk Powder 2 C. Whole Wheat Flour 2 T. Bone Meal 3 C. low sodium Chicken Broth 4 Eggs, including pulverized shells 1/2 C. Olive Oil Mix together and spread onto a baking sheet. Bake 200* for 45 minutes. Break it up into bite sized pieces, and store in individual serving bags. You can leave 2 days worth in the fridge, but freeze the rest. Your Dog Will Love You!Her eyes will be bright and clear, and her coat will be shiny and soft! Her body will be lean and muscular! And she will live a longer, healthier life. Your "Pooper Scooper" will remain clean! Your Vet will miss your money! And you will feel good knowing you are taking the best care of your pet that you can. |