Home Cooking??

[blondiebabe54]

I am currently feeding Life's Abundance but I am doubting its real quality therefore I am wondering about switching to Home-cooked meals... has anyone here switched from any kind of kibble to home cooked meals? how did the switch go? do you prefer it over kibble? how about your fur babies? any recipes I could start with, or websites where i can find those recipes? I want to at least try and see how they take it... so recipes and advice are key!! Please Help Thanks for everything in advance!! Sorry about the huge amount of questions...

[jencar98]

I switched from Wysong kibble almost a year ago after the recalls started. Wysong wasn't ever part of the recalls, I was just concerned. At first I just gave them chicken, brown rice, some mashed veggies and a vitamin supplement. When I realized going back to kibble wasn't going to happen anytime soon I bought a copy of Pitcairn's book and followed his recipes.

My dogs absolutely love home prepared meals vs. any kibble. My picky eater Ruby even eats the meals. I've fed my two yorkies, my son's boxer and lab this way now and have had no problems. In fact the boxer, Cash finally started gaining weight and has matured into a very handsome guy. Dolly the lab has put on a little too much weight and I've cut back on her portion recently.

Here's a link where recipes are listed, it would be a good start to give you ideas;

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sho...ht=cooked+food

[blondiebabe54]

Originally Posted by jencar98

I switched from Wysong kibble almost a year ago after the recalls started. Wysong wasn't ever part of the recalls, I was just concerned. At first I just gave them chicken, brown rice, some mashed veggies and a vitamin supplement. When I realized going back to kibble wasn't going to happen anytime soon I bought a copy of Pitcairn's book and followed his recipes.

My dogs absolutely love home prepared meals vs. any kibble. My picky eater Ruby even eats the meals. I've fed my two yorkies, my son's boxer and lab this way now and have had no problems. In fact the boxer, Cash finally started gaining weight and has matured into a very handsome guy. Dolly the lab has put on a little too much weight and I've cut back on her portion recently.

Here's a link where recipes are listed, it would be a good start to give you ideas;

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sho...ht=cooked+food

Thank You Thank You Thank You!! Where would I find a copy of this book??

[jencar98]

My son got mine for me at Barnes & Noble, I think. But here's a link to copies at Amazon. I would probably just get one that's used.

Amazon.com: Dr. Pitcairn's New Complete Guide to...

[blondiebabe54]

Originally Posted by jencar98

My son got mine for me at Barnes & Noble, I think. But here's a link to copies at Amazon. I would probably just get one that's used.

Amazon.com: Dr. Pitcairn's New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats: Richard H. Pitcairn,Susan Hubble Pitcairn: Books

Thank You very much again!! I am actually so excited- and I just want to be safe and do not trust all the pre-packaged kibble especially because of all the recalls

[marcerella02]

Originally Posted by blondiebabe54

I am currently feeding Life's Abundance but I am doubting its real quality therefore I am wondering about switching to Home-cooked meals... has anyone here switched from any kind of kibble to home cooked meals? how did the switch go? do you prefer it over kibble? how about your fur babies? any recipes I could start with, or websites where i can find those recipes? I want to at least try and see how they take it... so recipes and advice are key!! Please Help Thanks for everything in advance!! Sorry about the huge amount of questions...

well congrats for making the leap! i switched from kibble to home cooking about a year ago now... the switch went GREAT.. Layla LOVES her food... i also started with Pitcairn's book and still use his Healthy Powder Suppliement. Layla used to be at the vet weekly for various issues and she has only been once in the past year for a blood panel (i get these done twice a year to make sure she isn't lacking in any vitamin or nutrient) THe book is SO helpful.. id on't do "receipes" i just feed a meat a veggies and sometimes a starch... but i know Suzy does do recipes and her pups LOVE THEM! so feel free to pm me or Suzy if you have any other questions!

[jencar98]

You're very welcome, glad to help out! I understand about your fears too. Anymore there is so much information available about home prepared meals for dogs because of the food recalls and I'm thrilled!

Even if the recalls never happened after reading this article I was convinced to change.

http://www.api4animals.org/facts.php?p=359&more=1

[marcerella02]

Originally Posted by jencar98

You're very welcome, glad to help out! I understand about your fears too. Anymore there is so much information available about home prepared meals for dogs because of the food recalls and I'm thrilled!

Even if the recalls never happened after reading this article I was convinced to change.

http://www.api4animals.org/facts.php?p=359&more=1

hey look at you... 1000 posts!! CONGRATS! and what a great way to spend it.. talking about home cooking

[blondiebabe54]

Originally Posted by marcerella02

well congrats for making the leap! i switched from kibble to home cooking about a year ago now... the switch went GREAT.. Layla LOVES her food... i also started with Pitcairn's book and still use his Healthy Powder Suppliement. Layla used to be at the vet weekly for various issues and she has only been once in the past year for a blood panel (i get these done twice a year to make sure she isn't lacking in any vitamin or nutrient) THe book is SO helpful.. i don't do "recipes" i just feed a meat veggies and sometimes a starch... but i know Suzy does do recipes and her pups LOVE THEM! so feel free to pm me or Suzy if you have any other questions!

Thank You!! I'll be sure to PM you if I have any questions.. The only thing I am afraid of is them gaining weight... other then that I am becoming more and more afraid of feeding them any kind of kibble because of all the recalls.... did your babies gain a lot of weight when you switched them??

[marcerella02]

Originally Posted by blondiebabe54

Thank You!! I'll be sure to PM you if I have any questions.. The only thing I am afraid of is them gaining weight... other then that I am becoming more and more afraid of feeding them any kind of kibble because of all the recalls.... did your babies gain a lot of weight when you switched them??

not at ALL! Layla went to the vet probably a month ago to be weighed and they say she is a great weight.

I mainly feed protien and veggies and only every once and a while does Layla get a starch. it is relaly hard to gain weight just eating protien.. it's a great way to maintain the weight they are at.

[jencar98]

Originally Posted by marcerella02

hey look at you... 1000 posts!! CONGRATS! and what a great way to spend it.. talking about home cooking

Thank you! LOL....I knew that I was close but haven't really thought about it....maybe I should have done one of those "My 1000th post threads". On second thought you're right, talking about home cooking is one of my favorite subjects. And, helping someone else find their way through the process is a good way to spend my time....keeps me out of trouble!

[blondiebabe54]

Originally Posted by marcerella02

not at ALL! Layla went to the vet probably a month ago to be weighed and they say she is a great weight.

I mainly feed protien and veggies and only every once and a while does Layla get a starch. it is relaly hard to gain weight just eating protien.. it's a great way to maintain the weight they are at.

Yes, protein isn't the way to gain weight... I cant wait to start... Is it time consuming, cooking all the meals? I guess I can cook the night before and give them breakfast before leaving the house and then lunch when I get back around 3- and later on dinner... is it okay to do that, maybe microwave the food in the morning so it would be warm? Oh and my pom's name is Leila... or Layla (how you spell it).. great minds think alike!!!

[marcerella02]

Originally Posted by blondiebabe54

Yes, protein isn't the way to gain weight... I cant wait to start... Is it time consuming, cooking all the meals? I guess I can cook the night before and give them breakfast before leaving the house and then lunch when I get back around 3- and later on dinner... is it okay to do that, maybe microwave the food in the morning so it would be warm? Oh and my pom's name is Leila... or Layla (how you spell it).. great minds think alike!!!

well what i do is cook once a month.. i make up a bunch of meat and food chop some veggies.. i put all of that in the freezer in small baggies and then take as much out as i need for the next day. Layla can't eat dairy anymore but she would have a morning snack of cottage cheese and berries or yogurt... i'm not sure if she can eat egg or not but she also has scrambled egg in the morning too.

[blondiebabe54]

Originally Posted by marcerella02

well what i do is cook once a month.. i make up a bunch of meat and food chop some veggies.. i put all of that in the freezer in small baggies and then take as much out as i need for the next day. Layla can't eat dairy anymore but she would have a morning snack of cottage cheese and berries or yogurt... i'm not sure if she can eat egg or not but she also has scrambled egg in the morning too.

There's a plan!! I give all my dogs yogurt in the morning... I wasnt sure if they were allowed to have berries... and so now I guess they are- there's a start!! scrambled eggs huh... there's a thought.. I guess ill mix it up tomorrow, half will get yogurt with berries (i happen to have raspberries @ home) and the other half will get scrambled eggs... they'll end up stealing from each other and having a multi-dish breakfast... im sure they'll love that!! Hopefully theyll stop begging at the table when im eating what they are eating LOL!!!

[subro]

I noticed today on the Food Network that Rachel Ray is having a special "Feeding Your Pets" on Saturday at 9 EST. I will have to check this out and the Pitcairn book since my little guy has decided he would rather die than eat kibble.