Homemade dog food - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Davelatte · 07-29-2006, 07:05 AM

Does anyone make their own dog food? I am almost convinced that Latte's allergies are food allergies, and I'm stumped about what to feed her. I want to try the Natural Balance duck and potato...but am thinking about making my own. Does anyone do it? (She likes the Authority dry food, which is lamb and rice.)

Rae Rae · 07-29-2006, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davelatte

Does anyone make their own dog food? I am almost convinced that Latte's allergies are food allergies, and I'm stumped about what to feed her. I want to try the Natural Balance duck and potato...but am thinking about making my own. Does anyone do it? (She likes the Authority dry food, which is lamb and rice.)

It could be food, I know someone whose pitbull is allergic to every food you can think of, except a select few. I was naming off the wall foods that most people wouldn't think of, and everything the poor baby was allergic too. My friend said that you can get an allergy test done though to see what the dog is alleric to and what not. I would recommend that, it would probably be a quicker solution then trial and error. Good luck! WHen my friend was telling me about this and his pitbull it sounded very complicated, I couldn't imagine how hard it must be to deal with.

Elliern · 07-29-2006, 10:04 AM

I do not make my own dog food, but one of my pet sitters does. Every Sunday she makes a big (she has great danes) pot of chicken soup. She puts in 2 whole chickens different vegetables (carrots, celery, peas, potatoes). She then cooks up a big batch of rice. She removes the skin and bones from the chickens. Then mixes the rice and soup together. She adds some type of vitamin/mineral powder (can't remember the brand). Then she puts each days serving into a plastic freezer bag and puts them in the freezer. Her dogs seem to be doing great. She also has 2 little rescue dogs and one of them has severe allergies, which is why she started making her own. She also goes to the meat dept. of a grocery store and he saves some beef bones for her and she gives them to her great danes as well. She has been doing this for at least 5 years and maybe longer.
Ellie

LuvMySissy · 07-29-2006, 10:08 AM

I have been making Sissy old fashioned oatmeal, yogurt and scrambled eggs with spinach for breakfast and boiled chicken with brown rice for her dinner.

Gingergirlsmom · 07-31-2006, 04:13 AM

I'd heard good things about NB Duck and Potato. When we tried it, I mixed it with her old food. One taste, and she ran and hid from her bowl. Hid from me! I finally had to throw it out.

Probably just her reaction, but try to see if you can get a free sample first (our Pet Value sometimes has them)....unless you start feeding homemade food.

Good luck!

woodturningcrea · 07-31-2006, 04:49 AM

I have been homecooking for Punkin since January at the advice of the vet. SHe says its the best thing for them. I feed everything that is safe for doggies including low fat plain yogurt and cottage cheese.

I generally cook a whole bunch at once and then defrost as needed.

I do cook oatmeal fresh for her occassionally, and the odd scambled egg.

She has been doing great on this diet

Gingergirlsmom · 07-31-2006, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodturningcrea

I have been homecooking for Punkin since January at the advice of the vet. SHe says its the best thing for them. I feed everything that is safe for doggies including low fat plain yogurt and cottage cheese.

I generally cook a whole bunch at once and then defrost as needed.

I do cook oatmeal fresh for her occassionally, and the odd scambled egg.

She has been doing great on this diet

Tell us more about what you make.

Gingergirlsmom · 07-31-2006, 05:13 AM

Don't mean to be hogging your thread! But I find this a very interesting subject. I've done some research and found an interesting website about dog nutrition. Also, I might look into the phd product described here (and on their own site). Anyone ever use it?

http://www.volhard.com/holistic/artbywv.htm

http://www.phdproducts.com/

Gingergirlsmom · 07-31-2006, 05:33 AM

okay, here's another good site. This one doesn't seem to be pushing any particular product.

http://www.petdiets.com/default.asp?...hs/default.asp

woodturningcrea · 07-31-2006, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gingergirlsmom

Tell us more about what you make.

Gosh...I make all kinds of things. Lot's of veggies (such as beans, carrots, peppers, peas, asparagus, squash, cucumbers etc.)

I give her brown rice, sweet potatoes, regular potatoes, oatmeal.

I also cook lean beef, chicken, turkey, lamb.

Whatever I can freeze I do - it's a huge time saver.

I give a scrambled egg ever week or 2. I also give fresh fruit, typically whatever I am eating. Also fresh lettuce - although she doesn't care for it much.

No grapes, onions, citrus fruits. Garlic hardly ever since it's from the same family as onions.

We try to give 1/3 meat, 1/3 veggies/fruits, 1/3 starch at each meal plus yogurt or cottage cheese. Somewhere around a teaspoon or 2.

It took us a while to figure out the total quantity to feed...she lost some weight to start with. Human food doesn't cause weight gain the same as dog food can.

The other thing you will find is that the water consumption of your furbaby will go down a lot as there is a fair amount in the food.

yougetthesmiles · 07-31-2006, 11:33 PM

what about the fatty acids they are suppose to have? and do you let your dog chew on a hard chew? I would think with eating this soft food, it wouldnt be good on there teeth, they need that crunch to maintain healthy teeth, if not when they get older they are not going to have any teeth.
what does your Yorkies coat look like? Is the coat dry or shiny?

yougetthesmiles · 07-31-2006, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davelatte

Does anyone make their own dog food? I am almost convinced that Latte's allergies are food allergies, and I'm stumped about what to feed her. I want to try the Natural Balance duck and potato...but am thinking about making my own. Does anyone do it? (She likes the Authority dry food, which is lamb and rice.)

what all foods have you tried? Have you tried the Nutro Ultra? http://www.nutroproducts.com/ncultradog.asp

If I were you I would get on some websites and request some samples. I did this when I was trying to find a puppy food.
Here is one that will send you a sample if you request one.
http://www.oldmotherhubbard.com/dogs....asp?pCode=dry
My little girl likes this brand.

woodturningcrea · 08-01-2006, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yougetthesmiles

what about the fatty acids they are suppose to have? and do you let your dog chew on a hard chew? I would think with eating this soft food, it wouldnt be good on there teeth, they need that crunch to maintain healthy teeth, if not when they get older they are not going to have any teeth.
what does your Yorkies coat look like? Is the coat dry or shiny?

There are many schools of thought on doggie nutrition - just like people nutrition. You have to do lot's of research, talk to a vet you trust and decide what works best for you and your furbaby.

Punkin is clipped in a puppy cut, so it's hard to tell about her coat. It seems
shiny though. She also gets a bone to chew on. I boil them for about 30 seconds to get rid of the rawness - but doesn't soften the bone.

Davelatte · 08-01-2006, 06:27 AM

I have been feeding her a generic brand with beef for her wet food. It's the only one I could find with no chicken in it. I was advised against allergy testing, because of the cost. She seems very finicky to me. I got the NB Duck and potato and she's not thrilled. I have to put cheese on it to get her to eat some. I'll try the venison, but I am not hopeful. When I go to the store today I'm going to get some cottage cheese. She likes cheese and eggs, and will sometimes eat Cheerios. I try to keep her on dog food more than people food. I feel like I'm rambling! I'm a teacher, so I'll be back in the classroom soon and won't have time to obcess about her itching.

Gingergirlsmom · 08-01-2006, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodturningcrea

Gosh...I make all kinds of things. Lot's of veggies (such as beans, carrots, peppers, peas, asparagus, squash, cucumbers etc.)

I give her brown rice, sweet potatoes, regular potatoes, oatmeal.

I also cook lean beef, chicken, turkey, lamb.

Whatever I can freeze I do - it's a huge time saver.

I give a scrambled egg ever week or 2. I also give fresh fruit, typically whatever I am eating. Also fresh lettuce - although she doesn't care for it much.

No grapes, onions, citrus fruits. Garlic hardly ever since it's from the same family as onions.

We try to give 1/3 meat, 1/3 veggies/fruits, 1/3 starch at each meal plus yogurt or cottage cheese. Somewhere around a teaspoon or 2.

It took us a while to figure out the total quantity to feed...she lost some weight to start with. Human food doesn't cause weight gain the same as dog food can.

The other thing you will find is that the water consumption of your furbaby will go down a lot as there is a fair amount in the food.

Thanks! Everytime I think about going to homemade, I just get so overwhelmed!

07-29-2006, 07:05 AM	#1
Davelatte Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: California Posts: 30	Homemade dog food Does anyone make their own dog food? I am almost convinced that Latte's allergies are food allergies, and I'm stumped about what to feed her. I want to try the Natural Balance duck and potato...but am thinking about making my own. Does anyone do it? (She likes the Authority dry food, which is lamb and rice.)

07-29-2006, 10:08 AM	#4
LuvMySissy Luv my Angel, too! Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: USA Posts: 9,333	I have been making Sissy old fashioned oatmeal, yogurt and scrambled eggs with spinach for breakfast and boiled chicken with brown rice for her dinner. __________________ Sissy & Angel

07-31-2006, 04:13 AM	#5
Gingergirlsmom and Bernie's mom too!" Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 8,283	I'd heard good things about NB Duck and Potato. When we tried it, I mixed it with her old food. One taste, and she ran and hid from her bowl. Hid from me! I finally had to throw it out. Probably just her reaction, but try to see if you can get a free sample first (our Pet Value sometimes has them)....unless you start feeding homemade food. Good luck! __________________ Ginger Bernie Fun Kitty

07-31-2006, 04:49 AM	#6
woodturningcrea YT Addict Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Halifax, NS Posts: 260	I have been homecooking for Punkin since January at the advice of the vet. SHe says its the best thing for them. I feed everything that is safe for doggies including low fat plain yogurt and cottage cheese. I generally cook a whole bunch at once and then defrost as needed. I do cook oatmeal fresh for her occassionally, and the odd scambled egg. She has been doing great on this diet __________________ Alexis, David and Punkin

07-31-2006, 05:13 AM	#8
Gingergirlsmom and Bernie's mom too!" Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 8,283	Don't mean to be hogging your thread! But I find this a very interesting subject. I've done some research and found an interesting website about dog nutrition. Also, I might look into the phd product described here (and on their own site). Anyone ever use it? http://www.volhard.com/holistic/artbywv.htm http://www.phdproducts.com/ __________________ Ginger Bernie Fun Kitty

07-29-2006, 10:04 AM	#3
Elliern Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 93	I do not make my own dog food, but one of my pet sitters does. Every Sunday she makes a big (she has great danes) pot of chicken soup. She puts in 2 whole chickens different vegetables (carrots, celery, peas, potatoes). She then cooks up a big batch of rice. She removes the skin and bones from the chickens. Then mixes the rice and soup together. She adds some type of vitamin/mineral powder (can't remember the brand). Then she puts each days serving into a plastic freezer bag and puts them in the freezer. Her dogs seem to be doing great. She also has 2 little rescue dogs and one of them has severe allergies, which is why she started making her own. She also goes to the meat dept. of a grocery store and he saves some beef bones for her and she gives them to her great danes as well. She has been doing this for at least 5 years and maybe longer. Ellie

07-31-2006, 05:33 AM	#9
Gingergirlsmom and Bernie's mom too!" Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 8,283	okay, here's another good site. This one doesn't seem to be pushing any particular product. http://www.petdiets.com/default.asp?...hs/default.asp __________________ Ginger Bernie Fun Kitty

07-31-2006, 11:33 PM	#11
yougetthesmiles BANNED FOR NOT MAILING PRODUCTS PURCHASED Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 9,295 Blog Entries: 3	what about the fatty acids they are suppose to have? and do you let your dog chew on a hard chew? I would think with eating this soft food, it wouldnt be good on there teeth, they need that crunch to maintain healthy teeth, if not when they get older they are not going to have any teeth. what does your Yorkies coat look like? Is the coat dry or shiny?

08-01-2006, 06:27 AM	#14
Davelatte Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: California Posts: 30	hommade food, cont... I have been feeding her a generic brand with beef for her wet food. It's the only one I could find with no chicken in it. I was advised against allergy testing, because of the cost. She seems very finicky to me. I got the NB Duck and potato and she's not thrilled. I have to put cheese on it to get her to eat some. I'll try the venison, but I am not hopeful. When I go to the store today I'm going to get some cottage cheese. She likes cheese and eggs, and will sometimes eat Cheerios. I try to keep her on dog food more than people food. I feel like I'm rambling! I'm a teacher, so I'll be back in the classroom soon and won't have time to obcess about her itching.