With the recent rash of pet deaths that are linked to tainted pet food, many pet owners are afraid of feeding their dogs store bought foods. Both dry and moist foods contain wheat that contains a form of rat poison. With this tragic turn of events, many pet owners are turning from their dependency on store bought pet foods and making their own in their own kitchen.
When preparing your dog's meals, you control the ingredients and nutritional values. In the long run, your dog will be healthier and you will save money by using common household ingredients.
In the wild, animals that are related to dogs hunt meat. They enjoy wild game and small animals. In captivity, your dog still craves protein. Most dogs will readily eat strong scented meats like liver, beef, lamb, and turkey. Liver is extremely inexpensive in many stores. Containers of chicken liver usually cost cents per pound. If you go to a local butcher, you can most likely purchase organ meat (kidneys, liver, and heart) for very little money. The following are simple dog food recipes that you can create in your own home.
DOG BISCUITS
Dog biscuits are extremely easy to make. The following recipe freezes extremely well, so pack your freezer with these for those hot summer days. During the cooler months, pull them out and allow them to come to room temperature.
- 1 cup powdered milk
- 1 cup wheat germ
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon yeast
- 1 tablespoon honey, maple syrup, or molasses
- 8 ounces of chopped, raw liver (beef, chicken, or pork.)
Place all ingredients into a food processor and puree until smooth. Use a teaspoon and take relatively even portions. Roll them into balls and place on a greased cookie sheet. Press with the tines of a fork (like you would for peanut butter cookies.) Bake at 350 degrees for ten minutes.
Dry Dog Morsels
- 4 cups whole wheat flour (King Arthur's White Wheat Flour also works.)
- 3 cups white flour
- 1 cup wheat germ
- 2 cups ground beef
- 1 tsp yeast dissolved in one cup of warm water
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 cups powdered milk
- 4 eggs
Mix all ingredients together and add extra water until a thick paste is formed. Allow the dough to sit for thirty minutes. Roll the dough out on a floured surface and cut into small squares. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.
Tuna and Rice
This recipe is perfect when you have leftover rice or have containers of rice that come with Chinese takeout.
- 2 cups of cooked rice
- 1 can tuna (do not drain)
- 1 egg
- 1 carrot (grated)
In a small saucepan, heat the rice with the tuna, tuna liquid, and grated carrot. Cook on low heat until the rice has absorbed the tuna juice. Stir in the egg and mix thoroughly.
