Homemade Dog food recipes - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Bella Harris · 01-03-2008, 10:13 PM

Hi there,

I am a new yorkie owner and I think I have the finickiest yorkie ever! Its beginning to get stressful. I have tried just about every dogfood you can think of. My Bella is 4 months old. The vet says she is healthy. I finally gave in to her today and fed her chicken. Her tummy has lost her puppy pooch. She gobbled the chicken up! I am wondering if anyone has this same problem and if they make dog food themselves and have any good recipes. I am worried about her not getting the nutrients she needs from dog food. But she has tried just about every sample there is!

Thanks!
Yorkie mom in training

Itspuppyluv · 01-03-2008, 11:11 PM

They can really make you worry, can't they? Gus will even turn his nose up to home cooked food sometimes.
Quite a few people home cook for their dogs and have shared some great recipes (and book suggestions). Look in the Yorkie Health and Diet section. Here is a link to one of the sticky threads...

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75933

Welcome to YT.

I just noticed your avatar. Your yorkie and cat are beautiful.

girltime · 01-04-2008, 06:11 AM

Welcome to YT.

Last year when we had the dog food scare I did some home cooking which worked out well for my two. I was always second guessing whether or not mine were getting the correct amount of nutrients and vitamins in the food I was serving them. So, I've since moved to Dic Van Patten's Natural Balance (Ultra Premium Formula)Small Bites kibble, that is always left out for them. In the evening, I serve my two Natures Variety Raw Beef Medallion's (one medallion for each). Whenever I make salmon, I always give each of mine a very small raw piece.....They go crazy for salmon.

From my experience each Yorkie is unique, and it take a while to find the perfect system that works for them. You have found a great forum community here and were always willing help out our members.

Bella Harris · 01-04-2008, 06:28 AM

ItsPuppyLove - Thank you so much for your reply and sweet words. Yes they can worry you! I have already had an episode for low blood sugar and worry that Bella will go through this again. Bella and her big sister the cat Tinkerbell are pretty active during the day so she really needs those calories. I will be sure to check out that section. What a great community it is here at Yorkietalk. Lots of good info.

Bella Harris · 01-04-2008, 06:32 AM

Girltime - thanks for your reply. One thing that I think about is "how much" to feed her if I am not giving her dog food. She is 2 lbs currently. Reading the back of the dog food bag seems to make things a little easier. I am assuming the Natures Variety Raw Beef Medallion's are part of a raw diet? Do you get that at a gourmet pet food supply? I will ask about that. I wonder if that would be hard to feed them when you are out and about?

Ellie May · 01-04-2008, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bella Harris

Girltime - thanks for your reply. One thing that I think about is "how much" to feed her if I am not giving her dog food. She is 2 lbs currently. Reading the back of the dog food bag seems to make things a little easier. I am assuming the Natures Variety Raw Beef Medallion's are part of a raw diet? Do you get that at a gourmet pet food supply? I will ask about that. I wonder if that would be hard to feed them when you are out and about?

Welcome to YorkieTalk.

I homecook for my Yorkie. I don't do it because she is picky, I do it because I think it is tons healthier for her.

I have found that knowing how much to feed is not too difficult. You should feel the ribs and not see them. Usually dogs need about 40 calories a day per pound of body weight. This may be able to be reduced post spay/neuter. You just calculate how many calories in the batch of food and divide so they get the right amount. Of course all dogs are different so caloric needs will vary slightly from dog to dog. I found the hardest part is supplements and calculating protein amounts.

yorkiesmiles · 01-04-2008, 10:04 AM

Just want to say welcome to YT! Lots of knowledgeable people here!

girltime · 01-04-2008, 01:37 PM

Here is a link to Natures Variety website and their interactive food calculator.

http://www.naturesvariety.com/ifc.la...5879YrO34191AB

I leave the dry Natural Balance Kibble out all day....Then in the evening I give each of my Yorkies a beef medallion. You should be able to locate a retailer from their website.

Best of luck

Bella Harris · 01-04-2008, 07:54 PM

Hi Ellie Mae - Thanks for responding. I am curious as to what kind of supplements you add to the food? Gosh 40 calories per pound is nothing! So I guess it seems it would be hard to at least be able to get 80 calories in her.

Ellie May · 01-07-2008, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bella Harris

Hi Ellie Mae - Thanks for responding. I am curious as to what kind of supplements you add to the food? Gosh 40 calories per pound is nothing! So I guess it seems it would be hard to at least be able to get 80 calories in her.

I use a supplement that is only available through a vet or nutritionist. It is called BalanceIT K (NOT BalanceIT L). There are tons of others though. This one is easy because it already has calcium in it which is a big concern when homecooking.

Bella Harris · 01-08-2008, 06:38 AM

Thanks Ellie Mae. Bella goes to the vet this week so I will be sure to ask. I have been cooking chicken and have been able to get her to eat the chicken mixed with her puppy stew canned food. I give her a carrot during the day to naugh on and she seems to like that (mainly for her teeth). Until I find a hard dog food that she will eat. I also think that she may of lost her appetitie for a bit when she was refusing to eat and seems to have it back now that I am feeding her what she wants! I want her to enjoy eating and want her to be healthy.

chachi · 01-08-2008, 06:58 AM

I just homecook for mine a couple times a week. I usually make baked salmon rice and vegetables or chicken rice and vegetable

chachi · 01-08-2008, 07:13 AM

Another thing I make is eggs rice and vegetables. Sometimes I add a little cheese too

Bella Harris · 01-08-2008, 07:33 AM

Unfortunately Bella turns her nose up at eggs. But maybe if cheese was added she wouldn't. The salmon would be good for her with the omega 3's. Good advice! Thank you!

Toppersmom · 01-08-2008, 07:37 AM

I home cooked the chicken with rice and veggies and Topper turned up his nose and wouldn't even get close to it. Well it made the big dog happy, she is greatly enjoying it!! I would love to fatten Topper up a little because he is so tiny but I haven't found anything he really likes. He eats small amounts of his dry food usually during the night but he has yet to finish a whole serving which is just a handful. Any suggestions on how to fatten up a picky eater? He is just 3.5 pounds and you can feel his spine. I know that the vet says you should be able to feel a dogs ribs but he just seems to small. Of course I keep comparing him to my dearly departed Gizmo who was a bigger build and 9 pounds.

01-03-2008, 10:13 PM	#1
Bella Harris YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 6	Homemade Dog food recipes Hi there, I am a new yorkie owner and I think I have the finickiest yorkie ever! Its beginning to get stressful. I have tried just about every dogfood you can think of. My Bella is 4 months old. The vet says she is healthy. I finally gave in to her today and fed her chicken. Her tummy has lost her puppy pooch. She gobbled the chicken up! I am wondering if anyone has this same problem and if they make dog food themselves and have any good recipes. I am worried about her not getting the nutrients she needs from dog food. But she has tried just about every sample there is! Thanks! Yorkie mom in training

01-03-2008, 11:11 PM	#2
Itspuppyluv Gus Is The Fuss Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,277	They can really make you worry, can't they? Gus will even turn his nose up to home cooked food sometimes. Quite a few people home cook for their dogs and have shared some great recipes (and book suggestions). Look in the Yorkie Health and Diet section. Here is a link to one of the sticky threads... http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75933 Welcome to YT. I just noticed your avatar. Your yorkie and cat are beautiful. __________________ Erin & Gus Gus You lost me at stay! "He is a good heart and a kind soul, and an angel on four feet." MW Last edited by Itspuppyluv; 01-03-2008 at 11:15 PM.

01-04-2008, 10:04 AM	#7
yorkiesmiles Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,493	Just want to say welcome to YT! Lots of knowledgeable people here! __________________ yorkiesmiles Loved by Bubba & Roxy *Holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come*

01-08-2008, 06:58 AM	#12
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	I just homecook for mine a couple times a week. I usually make baked salmon rice and vegetables or chicken rice and vegetable __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

01-08-2008, 07:13 AM	#13
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	Another thing I make is eggs rice and vegetables. Sometimes I add a little cheese too __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

01-04-2008, 06:11 AM	#3
girltime Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 127	Welcome to YT. Last year when we had the dog food scare I did some home cooking which worked out well for my two. I was always second guessing whether or not mine were getting the correct amount of nutrients and vitamins in the food I was serving them. So, I've since moved to Dic Van Patten's Natural Balance (Ultra Premium Formula)Small Bites kibble, that is always left out for them. In the evening, I serve my two Natures Variety Raw Beef Medallion's (one medallion for each). Whenever I make salmon, I always give each of mine a very small raw piece.....They go crazy for salmon. From my experience each Yorkie is unique, and it take a while to find the perfect system that works for them. You have found a great forum community here and were always willing help out our members.

01-04-2008, 06:28 AM	#4
Bella Harris YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 6	ItsPuppyLove - Thank you so much for your reply and sweet words. Yes they can worry you! I have already had an episode for low blood sugar and worry that Bella will go through this again. Bella and her big sister the cat Tinkerbell are pretty active during the day so she really needs those calories. I will be sure to check out that section. What a great community it is here at Yorkietalk. Lots of good info.

01-04-2008, 06:32 AM	#5
Bella Harris YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 6	Girltime - thanks for your reply. One thing that I think about is "how much" to feed her if I am not giving her dog food. She is 2 lbs currently. Reading the back of the dog food bag seems to make things a little easier. I am assuming the Natures Variety Raw Beef Medallion's are part of a raw diet? Do you get that at a gourmet pet food supply? I will ask about that. I wonder if that would be hard to feed them when you are out and about?

01-04-2008, 01:37 PM	#8
girltime Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 127	Here is a link to Natures Variety website and their interactive food calculator. http://www.naturesvariety.com/ifc.la...5879YrO34191AB I leave the dry Natural Balance Kibble out all day....Then in the evening I give each of my Yorkies a beef medallion. You should be able to locate a retailer from their website. Best of luck

01-04-2008, 07:54 PM	#9
Bella Harris YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 6	Hi Ellie Mae - Thanks for responding. I am curious as to what kind of supplements you add to the food? Gosh 40 calories per pound is nothing! So I guess it seems it would be hard to at least be able to get 80 calories in her.

01-08-2008, 06:38 AM	#11
Bella Harris YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 6	Thanks Ellie Mae. Bella goes to the vet this week so I will be sure to ask. I have been cooking chicken and have been able to get her to eat the chicken mixed with her puppy stew canned food. I give her a carrot during the day to naugh on and she seems to like that (mainly for her teeth). Until I find a hard dog food that she will eat. I also think that she may of lost her appetitie for a bit when she was refusing to eat and seems to have it back now that I am feeding her what she wants! I want her to enjoy eating and want her to be healthy.

01-08-2008, 07:33 AM	#14
Bella Harris YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 6	Unfortunately Bella turns her nose up at eggs. But maybe if cheese was added she wouldn't. The salmon would be good for her with the omega 3's. Good advice! Thank you!

01-08-2008, 07:37 AM	#15
Toppersmom Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 235	I home cooked the chicken with rice and veggies and Topper turned up his nose and wouldn't even get close to it. Well it made the big dog happy, she is greatly enjoying it!! I would love to fatten Topper up a little because he is so tiny but I haven't found anything he really likes. He eats small amounts of his dry food usually during the night but he has yet to finish a whole serving which is just a handful. Any suggestions on how to fatten up a picky eater? He is just 3.5 pounds and you can feel his spine. I know that the vet says you should be able to feel a dogs ribs but he just seems to small. Of course I keep comparing him to my dearly departed Gizmo who was a bigger build and 9 pounds.