Rotate your homemade dog food recipes using different protein sources, grains and vegetables for their specific vitamins, minerals and amino acid composition. Oats are a good basic choice and ground meats are convenient -- just add veggies and supplements. This basic recipe is a simple starting point for your creativity.
Bring 16 cups of water to a boil. Add the oats, cover and turn off the heat. Let the oats cook for 10 to 15 minutes, or until soft -- do not stir. Remove from the stove and let cool completely.
Peel and dice carrots, then place in a saucepan. Cover in water and bring to a boil. Cook the carrots until fork tender, remove and let cool.
Fold the cooked carrots, olive oil, vitamin E, bonemeal and health supplement powder or multivitamin into the oatmeal. Scoop the daily ration into your dog's serving dish: toy (2 to 15 pounds) 2/3 to 2 2/3 cups; small (15 to 35 pounds) 2 2/3 to 5 1/3 cups; medium (35 to 55 pounds) 5 1/3 to 7 cups; large (55 to 85 pounds) 7 to 9 3/4 cups; giant (85 to 165 pounds or more) 9 3/4 to 14 2/3 cups
Tips
Substitute barley for the oats -- 4 cups of barley to 8 to 12 cups of water. Substitute brown rice for the oats -- 3 cups brown rice to 6 cups of water Substitute ground chicken or lean beef for the ground turkey. Occasionally, substitute 2 pints of cottage cheese plus 4 eggs for the protein ingredient. Daily rations of homemade dog food differ according to the ingredients in the recipe, as well as your dog's activity level and age. Let your dog's appetite and weight be the gauge. Overfeeding will produce loose stools. Holistic veterinarian Dr. Richard Pitcairn recommends adding a healthy supplement to your dog's home-prepared meals, such as the recipe for "Healthy Powder" in his book, "Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats," as an alternative to canine multivitamins.
Warnings
Consult your dog's veterinarian before embarking on a homemade dog food diet. If your dog exhibits signs of grain allergies, omit the grain component from his diet.
Warnings
Consult your dog's veterinarian before embarking on a homemade dog food diet.
If your dog exhibits signs of grain allergies, omit the grain component from his diet.
Tips
Substitute barley for the oats -- 4 cups of barley to 8 to 12 cups of water.
Substitute brown rice for the oats -- 3 cups brown rice to 6 cups of water
Substitute ground chicken or lean beef for the ground turkey.
Occasionally, substitute 2 pints of cottage cheese plus 4 eggs for the protein ingredient.
Daily rations of homemade dog food differ according to the ingredients in the recipe, as well as your dog's activity level and age. Let your dog's appetite and weight be the gauge. Overfeeding will produce loose stools.
Holistic veterinarian Dr. Richard Pitcairn recommends adding a healthy supplement to your dog's home-prepared meals, such as the recipe for "Healthy Powder" in his book, "Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats," as an alternative to canine multivitamins.
Items You Will Need
- Cooking pots
- 16 cups water
- 8 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 4 cups ground turkey
- 1 cup cooked carrots
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons bonemeal powder or 1 tablespoon eggshell powder
- 400 IU vitamin E
- Health supplement powder or canine multivitamin
References
- Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats; Dr. Richard H. Pitcairn, D.V.M., Ph.D. and Susan Hubble Pitcairn
- Holistic Guide for a Healthy Dog; Wendy Volhard and Kerry Brown, D.V.M.
Tips
- Substitute barley for the oats -- 4 cups of barley to 8 to 12 cups of water.
- Substitute brown rice for the oats -- 3 cups brown rice to 6 cups of water
- Substitute ground chicken or lean beef for the ground turkey.
- Occasionally, substitute 2 pints of cottage cheese plus 4 eggs for the protein ingredient.
- Daily rations of homemade dog food differ according to the ingredients in the recipe, as well as your dog's activity level and age. Let your dog's appetite and weight be the gauge. Overfeeding will produce loose stools.
- Holistic veterinarian Dr. Richard Pitcairn recommends adding a healthy supplement to your dog's home-prepared meals, such as the recipe for "Healthy Powder" in his book, "Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats," as an alternative to canine multivitamins.
Warnings
- Consult your dog's veterinarian before embarking on a homemade dog food diet.
- If your dog exhibits signs of grain allergies, omit the grain component from his diet.
Writer Bio
Based in Ontario, Susan Dorling has written professionally since 2000, with hundreds of articles published in a variety of popular online venues. Writing on a diverse range of topics, she reflects her passion for business, interior design, home decorating, style, fashion and pets.