Homecooking + Kibble ~ is this OK?

[Ladymom]

Good point about adding vitamin D.

Here is a list of all the supplements you should be adding to a homecooked diet. I used to homecook for Lady, but I got lazy, plus it gets really expensive.

http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-...pplements.html

[PunkinPie]

I have been homecooking for almost 2 years now. After the first couple of times it gets really quick and easy.

I prefer to feed a variety of foods each day so I cook up big batches of everything separtely and flash freeze on a cookie sheet lined with parchment.
Then I bag everything up in its own bag i.e. bag of chicken, bag of beef, bag of carrots etc.

Then each day I scoop out different combinations and thaw. I do serve oatmeal, scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, some fruits and plain yogurt fresh.

I buy everything at the grocery store and figured out that the cost is about the
same as high quality kibble per month. I buy meat when it is on sale and stock up as that is the most expensive part I find.

HTH

I love to talk about homecooking, so if you have any questions about the way I do it please let me know.

[Yorkieluv]

You have to be VERY careful with supplementing vitamins D and A...An overdose could cause toxicity, and it is very easy to overdose on these.... I prefer to feed foods high in betacarotene for vitamin A like carrots and sweet potatoes rather than giving vitamin A as a supplement.
Fish oils are rich in vitamin D, so keep that in mind so that you don't overdose your dog on vitamin D by giving it through several sources...An excess of it over time can cause hardening of the heart or kidneys. Homecooking full time takes some research to do it right
Here's an excellent link:
http://www.pet-supplies-review.com/c...nutrition.html

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by Yorkieluv

You have to be VERY careful with supplementing vitamins D and A...An overdose could cause toxicity, and it is very easy to overdose on these.... I prefer to feed foods high in betacarotene for vitamin A like carrots and sweet potatoes rather than giving vitamin A as a supplement.
Fish oils are rich in vitamin D, so keep that in mind so that you don't overdose your dog on vitamin D by giving it through several sources...An excess of it over time can cause hardening of the heart or kidneys. Homecooking full time takes some research to do it right
Here's an excellent link:
http://www.pet-supplies-review.com/c...nutrition.html

That's exactly why I am so nervous about home cooking and feed Natures Variety Prairie instead.

Somebody else figured everything out for me.

[TurtleDove]

It seems like I'll have my work cut out for me if I started home cooking for my girls. I think I'll switch them to a raw diet in the future instead ... I think it's the next best thing

[Yorkieluv]

Originally Posted by TurtleDove

It seems like I'll have my work cut out for me if I started home cooking for my girls. I think I'll switch them to a raw diet in the future instead ... I think it's the next best thing

Homecooking really isn't that hard I really enjoy doing it for my babies. My yorkie is liver compromised and ever since I started homecooking, he has been completely seizure-free and stone/crystal-free...He's healthier than he has ever been! You just have to read up on supplements. I would never supplement with plain vitamin A or vitamin D. As I mentioned before, I make sure to include carrots and/or sweet potatoes in their diets for the betacarotene and I give fish oil. I also supplement with vitamin b-complex and vitamin E. Also, the eggshells for calcium I can't think of what else right now, but as I remember, I will post. It's important to get a good starter book or to get a couple of recipes from a dog nutritionist

[MyFairLacy]

Originally Posted by TurtleDove

It seems like I'll have my work cut out for me if I started home cooking for my girls. I think I'll switch them to a raw diet in the future instead ... I think it's the next best thing

Actually raw is the best thing...homecooking would be second best

[TurtleDove]

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

Actually raw is the best thing...homecooking would be second best

Ah, good to know ... much less of a hassle too, as it will already be prepared for me.

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by Yorkieluv

You just have to read up on supplements. I would never supplement with plain vitamin A or vitamin D. As I mentioned before, I make sure to include carrots and/or sweet potatoes in their diets for the betacarotene and I give fish oil.

Just curious, does the Vitamin D present more of a risk to your baby due to the liver disorder?

Very good point though...you have to make sure you are feeding foods rich in vitamins that compliment each other and are well balanced. Point in case as we have discussed, Calcium is harmful if supplemented alone, yet the carriers are harmful if given in excess.

[Bloomingtails]

I too have been cooking for several years now for my dogs, despite my vet being opposed to it. He finally has come around to accepting it after I had him do a blood panel on my guys and they were all within acceptable ranges for calcium/phospherous ratios.

I've read most of the posts and the one thing I did not see mentioned is some of the good pre-mixes that are available today. I have been using Dr. Harvey's Canine Health for two years now. All you do is add 2.5 ozs to 7.5 ozs of water and then add six ozs of meat or protein. Honest Kitchen is another good one.

With 8 dogs I cook once or twice a week and freeze it.

You can also go to BalanceIt.com and they used to do one free recipe for you based on your dog's weight, level of activity and age. Not sure if they are still doing one free but they were reasonably priced and its a good way to make sure you are meeting your dog's nutritional requirements.

I do use supplements add do add calcium carbonate to some recipes.

It takes a while to do the research but there is a lot of it available on the web.

[vviccles1]

This is exactly what I do with my dogs!

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

I mix home cooked with kibble for ours everyday and am please with the results. As with any dietary change, I wouldn't make the transition all at once, but would do it gradually to allow their tummies time to adjust.

[Sparkles2005]

Our yorkie doesn't appear to have any special dietary needs and has done very well eating the same proteins that we serve at our own table... chicken, ground beef, steak, etc., although these are combined with kibble and a cooked vegetable (broccoli, green beans, etc) for improved fiber. We include kibble (sprinkled over the main course) to help provide additional vitamin support and also to help her avoid developing a selective palate. We have been feeding Sparkles a combination of 'table food' and kibble with good success since birth. She also gets plenty of exercise (2-3 hours of running in our yard) per day and is surprisingly strong for her size. She does not have any chronic conditions (allergies, digestive, etc.) and has been very healthy (thank God).

[Yorkieluv]

I hate to use the word table food, because it makes me think of seasoned, salted, fried, etc. foods....But yes, real food is much better than kibble.

As long as food is not seasoned, salted, no fat, etc. then it's great! Of course, no raisins, grapes, onions, etc.

Foods like pork or turkey/chicken skins can cause pancreatitis, so try to avoid those as well..

I'm so glad your baby does well on homecooked foods...