[Foster Mom]

This is the recipe I am using right now, it came highly recommended. I made a smaller batch than called for here because I prefer not to freeze it and I make up a bath every weekend.
8 CUPS MINUTE RICE (1BOX TO 10 CUPS WATER)

(If using regular or brown, uncooked rice, use 4 ½ cups. I cook the rice and meat together, with the meat cut small to fine.{I have small dogs.})

1 1/4 POUND OF WHITEFISH (Cod, Haddock, Orange Roughy,) OR CHICKEN

(I use venison, turkey, pork, or other lean meat, and start with a couple quarts of chicken or turkey broth Ground beef, turkey, or chicken works very well.) Don’t use bouillon cubes or canned broth as they are VERY high in sodium.

6 CARROTS, DICED

4 STALKS CELERY, DICED

I MEDIUM ZUCCHINI, DICED

1 ½ POUNDS GREEN BEANS (½ of 3 pound bag frozen)

1 ½ POUNDS OF MIXED VEGETABLES

(I sometimes add a few tomatoes, peeled, or some tomato sauce, or even a few apples right at the end, just to vary the flavor a bit.)

(You may use more carrots, celery, zucchini, plus sweet potatoes, yellow squash or whatever vegetables you want instead of the frozen mixed vegetables. I try to avoid cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, corn, and peas, and dried beans.) I use a food processor to shop the veggies, so it takes only minutes.

1/3 CUP OLIVE OIL

½ BOX BARLEY (1 CUP) or 1CUP OLD FASHIONED OATMEAL

2 TABLESPOONS GARLIC (This will be very strong, so I use about 1/2 Tablespoon.)

BASIL, ITALIAN SEASONING, OR POULTRY SEASONING (for flavor)

I USE A SOUP POT TO COOK THE MEAT AND RICE. START WITH ABOUT 10 CUPS IF YOU ARE USING MINUTE RICE OR REGULAR. BRING TO A BOIL AND ADD THE RICE. MEAT, ADD SEASONINGS AND OLIVE OIL. WHEN IT COMES TO A BOIL, COOK 10 MINUTES AND ADD BARLEY, COOK FOR 10 MORE MINUTES. The time may be longer if using brown rice). MINUTE RICE SHOULD BE ADDED NEAR THE END, SINCE IT COOKS QUICKLY.

IN A SEPARATE POT I BRING THE VEGETABLES TO A BOIL IN JUST ENOUGH WATER TO COVER THEM, THEN ADD THEM TO THE RICE POT. I ALSO ADD THE WATER THE VEGETABLES WERE COOKED IN.

I COOK THE VEGETABLES DONE IF THE DOG HAS BAD TEETH OR TROUBLE IN DIGESTION. IF NOT, THEN I BRING THE VEGETABLES TO FULL BOIL AND ADD THEM IMMEDIATELY TO THE RICE AND MEAT, INCLUDING LIQUID. LET THE POT SIT UNTIL ALL THE LIQUID IS ABSORBED, AND MIX WELL TOGETHER. LET IT COOL ENOUGH TO PUT INTO FREEZER BAGS OR DISHES.

YOU CAN FREEZE THIS IN FREEZER BAGS OR PLASTIC FREEZER DISHES.

Use the same amount of food as your dog is currently eating, then adjust as needed to control weight.

If you use turkey, increase the olive oil a bit, since turkey tends to be dry.

If your dog has allergies, don’t use beef; it is highly allergenic.

If stools are loose, decrease the liquid a bit.

If the dog is gaining weight, decrease the olive oil first, then the rice.

To decrease calories, I increased the meat and vegetables and decreased the rice to 3 cups.

I also have begun using brown rice instead of the white.

I checked with Dr Mary Kirk about the garlic (Some sites list it as being toxic) and she said, yes, use it. It will help repel fleas and won’t hurt the dog.

You’ll need to use some chews to keep your dogs’ teeth clean, since this is all soft.

My Yorkies (10 1/2#) get 1/3 TO 1/2 cup night and morning. If you want, you can use a good quality dry food for about half the amount. Good foods should include no sugar or corn syrup or solids and grain should not be listed first. No meat by products as these are innards. You should recognize every item listed and it must be food item. If you don’t know what it is, don’t feed it.

Makes about 2 - 3 gallons depending upon how many vegetables you add. If you add more vegetables, the dog can eat a bit more without getting more calories. I try to give them enough so they aren’t hungry, but have had good luck controlling weight with this method.

The girls also get a multi vitamin every day, Cosequin as they are older and showing signs of arthrisits, I give them cottage cheese and yogurt (not together) as a snack in the afternoons, and they get a suppliment called K-9 extras. They also get Fortiflora if they seem to be having tummy issues (constipation or runny poops) it is a probiotic.

I realize no diet is perfect, but I try to make sure they get everything they need. Their vet helped design this diet along with a nutritionist.

If you can think of anything I am missing or anything that might help, Please by all means let me know. Sometimes it is best to have more than one opinion, so I am all ears...Thanks again in advance