For those that homecook their dogs...

[littlepixie12]

what kind of supplements/vitamins do you use for your puppy? Maxi wasnt eating anything for like 2 days, he refused to touch his kibble (Halo) or his old kibble either. I was getting really upset that he wasnt eating and so I made him the doggie tuna-mac receipe from the homemade receipe thread and he gobbled it up before I was able to put the bowl down! I was so happy but now he just stares at me like waiting for me to give him more food. I was hoping that he would at least eat the kibble in the morning, but he hates it. So I dont mind cooking for my baby, but I want to make sure that he gets all the vitamins that he needs.

What do you guys use to supplement their homemade food diet?

Thanks!

[ally173]

i would be interested in knowing that too; since i had to start cooking for Ava again; she had another gastritis episode and ended up in the hospital. can you please tell me about tuna-mac receipe; i would like to give it a try. thanks

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by littlepixie12

What do you guys use to supplement their homemade food diet?

I wish it was that simple .

I now feed raw, but used to cook. When I cooked, I consulted a nutritionist to help me make sure it was balanced. A dog's "RDAs" aren't linear, so you can't really say "a 3lb dog needs 2mg of vitamin abc, so therefore, a 6lb dog needs 4mg" - it just doesn't work that way.

If you want to cook longterm, I can't recommend highly enough that you consult a nutritionist to get you going. Unbalanced diets can be very dangerous to a dog's health, esp. when it comes to cal-phos ratio, which isn't easy to figure out at all. We've had entire threads, exhaustive, on just that subject here at YT...and still we were all left scratching our heads a little. Anyone remember that cal-phos thread ?

[ally173]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

I wish it was that simple .

I now feed raw, but used to cook. When I cooked, I consulted a nutritionist to help me make sure it was balanced. A dog's "RDAs" aren't linear, so you can't really say "a 3lb dog needs 2mg of vitamin abc, so therefore, a 6lb dog needs 4mg" - it just doesn't work that way.

If you want to cook longterm, I can't recommend highly enough that you consult a nutritionist to get you going. Unbalanced diets can be very dangerous to a dog's health, esp. when it comes to cal-phos ratio, which isn't easy to figure out at all. We've had entire threads, exhaustive, on just that subject here at YT...and still we were all left scratching our heads a little. Anyone remember that cal-phos thread ?

what do you feed your baby; any recommendation; is raw diet safe on sensitive stomach ; my dog has gastritis and was recently in the hospital; what do you think about Honest Kitchen food; someone recommended it

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by ally173

what do you feed your baby; any recommendation; is raw diet safe on sensitive stomach ; my dog has gastritis and was recently in the hospital; what do you think about Honest Kitchen food; someone recommended it

Right now I feed Primal Pet Food (pre-made raw) and love it. Honest Kitchen is a wonderful food! They have selections that might be good for your baby, esp. maybe the Preference...so you can choose your own meat?

As for whether it would work for your kiddo - I don't know...do you know the cause of the gastitis? Was he vomiting and diarrhea or ?

Some folks who have sensitive dogs w/ first try, for example, freeze dried Medallions from Nature's Variety (similar to Primal, maybe Primal has them too) - so that's an option as well to consider.

[Ellie May]

I use BalanceIT K, but it is normally only given to liver and kidney compromised dogs, so that doesn't help you.

Unfortunately I don't think anyone has really talked to a nutritionist about homecooking for a pup on YT (could be wrong) and since adult ratios for vit/min don't work, it would probably be best to do a consult to make sure everything is okay.

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

I wish it was that simple .

I now feed raw, but used to cook. When I cooked, I consulted a nutritionist to help me make sure it was balanced. A dog's "RDAs" aren't linear, so you can't really say "a 3lb dog needs 2mg of vitamin abc, so therefore, a 6lb dog needs 4mg" - it just doesn't work that way.

If you want to cook longterm, I can't recommend highly enough that you consult a nutritionist to get you going. Unbalanced diets can be very dangerous to a dog's health, esp. when it comes to cal-phos ratio, which isn't easy to figure out at all. We've had entire threads, exhaustive, on just that subject here at YT...and still we were all left scratching our heads a little. Anyone remember that cal-phos thread ?

I couldn't agree more! If the calcium to phosphorus ratio isn't correct (1.2 parts of calcium for each 1 part of phosphorous (1.2:1)), they can have cardiac, skeletal and neurological problems.

Calcium & Phosphorous in Dogs* - Chinaroad Lowchens of Australia -

It's also very important that a dog on a homecooked diet get bloodwork done every six months to make sure they are getting the proper nutrients.

[littlepixie12]

Originally Posted by ally173

i would be interested in knowing that too; since i had to start cooking for Ava again; she had another gastritis episode and ended up in the hospital. can you please tell me about tuna-mac receipe; i would like to give it a try. thanks

Not sure who originally posted it on that thread, but here is the receipe:

Doggie Tuna-Mac!
1 C. Whole Wheat pasta (uncooked, organic if possible)
1/4 C. Grated Carrots or Peas
1 T. Butter
1/2 T. all-purpose flour
1 can tuna
1/2 C. shredded cheddar cheese
3/4 C. skim milk
1 tsp Healthy Powder (I just added this to the recipe)
500 iu Vitamin E

Cook pasta according to package directions. (If you use anything larger than small shells, chop it up into smaller pieces so it's easier for them to eat.)

Melt butter in small saucepan. Add milk and flour, and cook over medium-low heat until sauce is thickened and bubbly. Stir in cheddar cheese until all is melted together. Remove from heat or it will stick to the bottom of the pan.

Drain tuna, put in medium bowl. Add veggies and pasta. Stir in supplements until well distributed. Pour cheese sauce over entire mixture and toss. You can top with a little extra cheese or veggies, if you like.

Makes about 2 cups of food-about 4-6 yorkie meals. I made this and froze half for later.

Maxi LOVED IT!

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by littlepixie12

Not sure who originally posted it on that thread, but here is the receipe:

Doggie Tuna-Mac!
1 C. Whole Wheat pasta (uncooked, organic if possible)
1/4 C. Grated Carrots or Peas
1 T. Butter
1/2 T. all-purpose flour
1 can tuna
1/2 C. shredded cheddar cheese
3/4 C. skim milk
1 tsp Healthy Powder (I just added this to the recipe)
500 iu Vitamin E

Cook pasta according to package directions. (If you use anything larger than small shells, chop it up into smaller pieces so it's easier for them to eat.)

Melt butter in small saucepan. Add milk and flour, and cook over medium-low heat until sauce is thickened and bubbly. Stir in cheddar cheese until all is melted together. Remove from heat or it will stick to the bottom of the pan.

Drain tuna, put in medium bowl. Add veggies and pasta. Stir in supplements until well distributed. Pour cheese sauce over entire mixture and toss. You can top with a little extra cheese or veggies, if you like.

Makes about 2 cups of food-about 4-6 yorkie meals. I made this and froze half for later.

Maxi LOVED IT!

I would substitute fresh tuna for canned. Canned (and pouches) fish has way too much sodium.

[littlepixie12]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

I use BalanceIT K, but it is normally only given to liver and kidney compromised dogs, so that doesn't help you.

Unfortunately I don't think anyone has really talked to a nutritionist about homecooking for a pup on YT (could be wrong) and since adult ratios for vit/min don't work, it would probably be best to do a consult to make sure everything is okay.

I saw this on a pet nutritionist site, and I think I am going to schedule an appt with a nutritionist to see what she/he says. I will be happy to post my findings.

Supplements

1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 tablespoon bone meal
Multivitamin as directed for body weight
1 capsule of fish oil unless feeding an oily fish such as salmon
500mg vit C
400 iu vit E

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by littlepixie12

I saw this on a pet nutritionist site, and I think I am going to schedule an appt with a nutritionist to see what she/he says. I will be happy to post my findings.

Supplements

1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 tablespoon bone meal
Multivitamin as directed for body weight
1 capsule of fish oil unless feeding an oily fish such as salmon
500mg vit C
400 iu vit E

How much food to many supps are you supposed to give though?
I always think it's a bit funny when vitamins are given by body weight.
That's not how it's done with commercial dog food. It is so many vits for so much food...

[ally173]

Originally Posted by littlepixie12

Not sure who originally posted it on that thread, but here is the receipe:

Doggie Tuna-Mac!
1 C. Whole Wheat pasta (uncooked, organic if possible)
1/4 C. Grated Carrots or Peas
1 T. Butter
1/2 T. all-purpose flour
1 can tuna
1/2 C. shredded cheddar cheese
3/4 C. skim milk
1 tsp Healthy Powder (I just added this to the recipe)
500 iu Vitamin E

Cook pasta according to package directions. (If you use anything larger than small shells, chop it up into smaller pieces so it's easier for them to eat.)

Melt butter in small saucepan. Add milk and flour, and cook over medium-low heat until sauce is thickened and bubbly. Stir in cheddar cheese until all is melted together. Remove from heat or it will stick to the bottom of the pan.

Drain tuna, put in medium bowl. Add veggies and pasta. Stir in supplements until well distributed. Pour cheese sauce over entire mixture and toss. You can top with a little extra cheese or veggies, if you like.

Makes about 2 cups of food-about 4-6 yorkie meals. I made this and froze half for later.

Maxi LOVED IT!

this sounds good; but i don't know how ava will react to those ingredients; pasta, cheese, butter.... they all seems to heavy for her sensitive stomach. thanks for sharing

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by ally173

this sounds good; but i don't know how ava will react to those ingredients; pasta, cheese, butter.... they all seems to heavy for her sensitive stomach. thanks for sharing

I agree. That's looks like more of a "special occasion" recipe to me.

[ally173]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

I agree. That's looks like more of a "special occasion" recipe to me.

i know ; i can imagine her vomiting 20 min after eating this; just because i know how she is and how sensitive her stomach is ; i think she might be lactose intolerent anyway; i tried giving her yogurt one time and she had diarhea and vomited.

by the way ; anyone know when adding supplements to cooking ; do you added it while the food is cooking on the stove or after it has cooled off.
i really don't want to do this whole cooking thing; not only time consuming and complicated but it can be dangerous for my baby if i dont include the correct supplements.
someone had suggested honest kitchen food and the ingredients look good; but i am so scared to use anything new on her; i don't want her to go through another episode; what do u think
thanks

[littlepixie12]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

How much food to many supps are you supposed to give though?
I always think it's a bit funny when vitamins are given by body weight.
That's not how it's done with commercial dog food. It is so many vits for so much food...

I know you are totally right! Im not sure exactly, but I found this other one on another holistic vet site. Although please note that these are samples, and I will have to call one to see what they recommend for Maxi

1 cup debittered brewers yeast
1 cup wheat germ
2 cups powdered milk
1 cup powdered kelp

Mix together and store in a cool dry place.
To improve the diet quality add 1 tsp of the basic supplement for each 12 oz portion of the food mixture and 1 tsp vegetable oil (I prefer corn oil or flax oil since they have high content of linoleic acid which is good for the dog?s skin).

12 oz of the basic diet is appropriate for a 20 lb dog, you would double this daily ration for a 40 lb dog, triple it for a 60 lb dog or halve it for a 10 lb dog. Watch the dog?s weight and adjust portion sizes accordingly.