[Donna from Iowa]

Originally Posted by Ceibasmom

Dogs - varies depending on age, activity level, health, weight and season. These are guidelines based on weight; the total is per day and should be divided between two meals:

Up to 10 pounds - 1 to 11/2 cups
11 to 20 pounds - 2 to 3 cups
21 to 40 pounds - 4 cups
For each additional 20 pounds, add 2 cups.

SPOT'S CHICKEN STEW

21/2 pounds whole chicken or turkey (bones, organs, skin and all)
1/4 cup chopped fresh garlic
1 cup green peas
1 cup coarsely chopped carrots
1/2 cup coarsely chopped sweet potato
1/2 cup coarsely chopped zucchini
1/2 cup coarsely chopped yellow squash
1/2 cup coarsely chopped green beans
1/2 cup coarsely chopped celery
1 tablespoon kelp powder
1 tablespoon chopped rosemary
11 to 16 cups spring water

For dogs only: Add 8 ounces whole barley and 6 ounces rolled oats, and adjust the water content to 16 cups spring water or enough to cover the ingredients. (The grains are not recommended for cats.)

Yield: 20 cups.
Combine all ingredients in a 10-quart stainless-steel stockpot with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, then turn down heat as low as possible and simmer for 2 hours; carrots should be very soft.
Remove from heat, let cool, and debone the chicken.
With an electric hand mixer or a food processor, blend the ingredients into a puree. The stew should be slightly thicker for dogs and more soupy for cats.
Using plastic baggies or yogurt containers, divide into meal-sized portions. Refrigerate three days' worth and freeze the rest.

Source: "The Whole Pet Diet: Eight Weeks to Great Health for Dogs and Cats," by Andi Brown (Celestial Arts, $16.95)

For every lb. of food that you home cook you must add 800 to 1,000 mg of calcium. You can use dried out egg shells: 1 tsp ground shell per lb. Have to wash them and dry them out in oven. Or get Calcium without the added Vitiman D or Magnesium (sp) You can use bone meal to. I didn't know that but it is true and I am doing it. I'm using the 800mg. since Yorkies are small. You even need to do this if you are giving supplements and they are getting chia seeds, yogurt etc. Not enough has to be in food.