Do you enjoy homecooking

[Yorkiekids]

Do you enjoy homecooking for your babies? Do you worry that their getting all the vitamins and nutrients they need? Is it a lot more expensive to homecook, and how long does it take. I have 4 plus my sons sometimes so how far ahead could I make it and freeze it. How long can you freeze it for?

[Chelsey]

I cook a big load of food once a week, usually over the weekend. No i am not worried they getting their vitamins/minerals, i discussed this issue with my vet, and she gave me the go ahead, and told me, it's much better to give them fresh food. I told her what i put in, she said it's a nice balanced meal.
I freeze it in zip lock bags, and take out a packet every morning to defrost.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Yorkiekids

Do you enjoy homecooking for your babies? Do you worry that their getting all the vitamins and nutrients they need? Is it a lot more expensive to homecook, and how long does it take. I have 4 plus my sons sometimes so how far ahead could I make it and freeze it. How long can you freeze it for?

I don't know if I truly "enjoy" it, but I enjoy that it is so good for them, if that makes sense! I used to worry about the nutrients - it took me a good 3 mths to feel confident about it, now it feels good.

I'm guessing it's a bit more expensive - but not terribly bc they eat such small portions. I cook usually about once or twice a week. Takes probably less than a half hour. There are some on here who cook once a month and freeze it for a month. Cool, huh?

[Yorkiekids]

I want to try some of the recipes on here, but I'm just afraid I'll be missing some important vitamin they may need.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Yorkiekids

I want to try some of the recipes on here, but I'm just afraid I'll be missing some important vitamin they may need.

Here is a thread asking that exact question, it might help: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sho...54#post1369554

[Yorkieluv]

I don't necessarily "enjoy" the cooking, but I do love the fact that my babies are eating healthy and I know what's in their food
I cook once every 3-4 weeks and I store in 2 day portions in freezer bags, so I don't have to cook for them often.
I don't worry about them getting enough nutrients because after months and months of them being on homecooked food, they look healthier than ever and have great energy and spirit They have maintained their weights perfectly, and my picky eaters now love to eat.
Also, I got my recipes from Dr. Pitcairn's book and I use a special diet for Miko for his liver that was made up by a vet.
It's a very smart idea to get a book like Dr. Pitcairn's to get started, so that you can make sure that you're adding the right amount of calcium and certain vitamins/supplements. It explains homecooking in depth...There are other books too if you prefer another one.

[lara2913]

I don't feed home cooked I feed raw but I do really enjoy it, its quite sad but I actually get a kick out of ordering from my supplier, preparing their meals and working out all the different ratios. I enjoy it way more than just throwing kibble in their bowls and they are much healthier too. The best thing is watching them devour their food like dogs should.

[TLC]

Oh where do I start...

I agree with everyone that I enjoy feeding them healthy human food with a passion.

Feeding and Eating was a BIG problem for the first year. TJ has IBD and he was on special food (Kibble and Wet). Once he got better and the IBD was under control I started to introduce human foods. They begged my for Green Beans and Romaine Lettuce from the salad I was making. And to my surprise they loved it - and wanted more. As time went by and constantly changing kibble b/c they were being picky, I decided to cook for them. This went really well, but, I also had 2 everyday poop eaters and Homemade food lead to 3 poops a day per dog and they were big and smelly and this just fed the fire to my little poop eaters (GROSS).

So, then I went straight into a Premade Raw Frozen diet. This was GREAT! They inhaled their portions faster than I could blink. They pooped 2 x a day like clock work and it was small and odorless. We were doing so well.

But, now for the past month I have had to change their diet again b/c we possibly have liver issues in both Roxy and TJ.

Now, feeding and eating has just become so fustrating. Roxy will and does eat everything in site (which is good b/c I think her liver is worse). But TJ - NOPE - He refuses to eat pretty much everything that I am allowed to feed him.

So all in all - I think it all depends on the situation. I don't mind doing anything at all for them - BUT - With TJ being a BRAT right now, I am really loosing my mind.

(sorry for the long post)

[Yorkiekids]

Where do you get the precooked food? Does it come in different varieties.

[TLC]

Originally Posted by Yorkiekids

Where do you get the precooked food? Does it come in different varieties.

I don't know if there is 'precooked' food out there (I suppose anything is possible). There is Premade Raw Frozen food (Raw Meat, Bones and Organs) - But you are suppose to feed it Raw. As far as Pre-Cooked, well, that's Home Made Cooking - BY YOU

[cinnamonmon]

Sorry, I am going to be the dissenter. I have done it for 4 months and am sick of it. I dont cook for my family that much so this was a real effort for me. I would do if anyways if my vet (and I checked with two different vets)said it was healthier, but they said it was not neccesarily so, depending on what I fed them. He gave me a sample of Innova Evo tonight and told me that he feeds this to his dogs and explaned why. It made sense to me and gave me the reason I needed to go back to dog food. Home feeding was alot more expensive, time consuming, and unless you supplement with vitamians your babies are not getting everything they need. I adore my dogs and would do anything for them, but for me, this is something that, is not necessary when there are some really good alternative dog foods out there. Itwas such a relief to get up this morning and pour their food so easily into a bowl. For me, home cooking never got easy.
Lauar

[Yorkiekids]

I'm not really a lover of cooking period, which is why I asked the question. It's just since we got Sebastian he won't eat. I know it's only been a few days, but I worry about him. I'm making a chicken stew for him tonight, but I'm still adding kibble.

[lara2913]

Raw is actually a hell of alot simpler than home cooking, far less supplements are needed (if any at all) because alot of vitamins are killed during the cooking process. I highly recommend that anybody in the slightest bit interested reads 'Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats, The Ultimate Diet' by Kymythy R. Schultze, its very easy to read (it took me 2 hours) and outlines all the simple facts, it even contains meal plans. You will see how simple it really is. I have read alot of books on raw but this one is definatly the best for beginners.

[marcerella02]

Originally Posted by lara2913

Raw is actually a hell of alot simpler than home cooking, far less supplements are needed (if any at all) because alot of vitamins are killed during the cooking process. I highly recommend that anybody in the slightest bit interested reads 'Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats, The Ultimate Diet' by Kymythy R. Schultze, its very easy to read (it took me 2 hours) and outlines all the simple facts, it even contains meal plans. You will see how simple it really is. I have read alot of books on raw but this one is definatly the best for beginners.

THanks for the suggestion... i might just go pick that up!! we are about to start raw and im finding it a bit overwhelming

[lara2913]

Originally Posted by marcerella02

THanks for the suggestion... i might just go pick that up!! we are about to start raw and im finding it a bit overwhelming

Go for it, its a great book. It was recommended to me when I started and 6 months later I still use it as a reference. Alot of the other books are very political and complicated. This one is just a great friendly simple book that tells you everything you need to know.