check my homemade dog food recipe pls?
 

Ok, I got tired of seeing Lucas stick his (cute) lil nose up in the air every time I fed him canned (or dry...) dog food so I decided to try home-cooked meals for him. After reading the posts here, I came up with a simple recipe. Even though I used only foods I found posted here (I think!) I wanted to double-check with those of you who are familiar with cooking for your babies. Also, I'm wondering how much I should feed him? Silly dog will eat as much as he's given if he likes a food! :eek:

Here's my "recipe"

1 lb. ground turkey, cooked
3-4 chicken livers (cooked without oil)
1 package petite carrots, boiled in unsalted water and pureed
1 can peas, drained
about 1/2 package whole wheat spaghetti (the small package), cut into small pieces

I browned the turkey in just a bit of water, then added the livers and cooked in the same pan while the turkey finished cooking. I added the can of peas and the pureed carrots and then mixed in the chopped spaghetti. It was a little dry so I added about 2-3 tablespoons of milk and a little hot water from the carrots.

I gave Lucas a spoonful and he gobbled it up, licked his bowl clean for a nice change! :D

Does this sound all right for my baby? and how much should he be given each day? He's a year and a half, so full grown but still active.

TIA!

Sounds like a good treat, but not as a regular dog food. Some ground turkey has high levels of fat. Chicken liver is rich, and high in cholesterol, beef liver is healthier, but I think they shouldn't even be given too much of that. Some canned peas are way too high in salt. I don't think the spaghetti is that great either, even the whole-wheat varieties, but I'm not sure of this, brown rice might be a better option. I know it's really important to get a home cooked meal adequately balanced, dogs need a huge dose of calcium, and I don't see where they are getting that from this. Also most home cooked diets require other supplemental vitamins as well.

You need to follow a recipe prepared by a nutritionist and add the necessary supplements. As Nancy said, dogs need much more calcium than we do and the calcium to phosphorus has to be correct or they can have skeletal, neurological and cardiac problems.

A lot of people here consult Susan Davis:

Holistic Veterinarian Pet Nutritionist Holistic Pet Care

You can buy recipes and supplements here, too:

https://secure.balanceit.com/_clients2/index.php?dl=1

Here's another one:

http://www.naturesfarmacy.com/UserFriendlyDiet.pdf

You can also buy a book or even ask your vet for recipes.

I don't think this recipe is going to work. :(

Ground turkey is okay if that is ground white meat.
If dark meat or fat are added, I would not use it.
Too much liver can cause vitamin A toxicity.
Most canned peas have an excessive amount of salt in them.


I don't see any oil here, so where would the needed linoleic come from?
Supplementation is not an option with homecooking. It is a requirement.
Calcium has to be supplemented along with a whole lot of other things.
The calcium/phosphorus ratio has to be figured.
Over the counter pet vitamins like Pet Tabs can't be used alone in homecooking to meet all vitamin and mineral needs.

I would talk to a nutritionist or find a recipe from one who is trusted.

The spaghetti is fine if you aren't worried about wheat allergies. :)