Does Anyone In Yorkietalk Make Their Own Dog Food ?

[suzysmitt]

Thanks for all the info. on the dog food. Where do I get the fish oils and such as I need. I have a boxer, 2 pits, minature poodle, and Skippy, so I'd want to make larger quanities. Is it ok to make it ahead of time, and freeze it. This was so helpful. Thanks.

[JESSY_RN2B]

Originally Posted by suzysmitt

Thanks for all the info. on the dog food. Where do I get the fish oils and such as I need. I have a boxer, 2 pits, minature poodle, and Skippy, so I'd want to make larger quanities. Is it ok to make it ahead of time, and freeze it. This was so helpful. Thanks.

The fish oil you can get at any pharmacy.........it's called "fish oil"
I use it on mine and just squeeze a capsule into cottage cheese or wet food and they gobble it right up

You can also go the other way (more expensive) and by Grizzly's Salmon Oil.........google it and you'll see what it is

Jess

[AngelWorks]

Originally Posted by Superpup

Hi! I've been home-preparing food for my 2 boys for over 4 months now. I started due to itching problem. Itching is 95% gone!

I felt such relief not to have to worry about commercial dog food and recalls. We are not there at the factory to see what really goes on.

At first, feed 1/3 protein, 1/3 veg, and 1/3 grain or startchy veg. It's a good time to go grain-free now. Feed what you eat, steak, hamburger, chicken, eggs, fish, peas, carrots, squash, bok-choy, yams, potatoes, stringbeans, oatmeal, brown rice, lentils, beans, pumpkin, cinnamon, cod liver oil, olive oil, sunflower oil. Dogs do not have the necessary enzyme to digest milk, so if you want to try yogurt or cottage cheese, or cheese, do it very sparingly.

To judge amount to feed, try to equal what was in his bowl.

Cook all fish and hamburger and pork. Steak meats can be fed raw. Chicken can be fed raw. Vegs have to be grated or sliced very fine. They can be steamed. Overcooking destroys nutrients. All grains must be very well cooked. Soft. Dogs do not need grains and they are not easily digested. I use only brown rice cakes as a treat. I use lentils, beans, peas, and potatoes.

Dogs can have fruit. But, not much. Sugar feeds yeast.

I give an excellent quality vitamin/mineral/amino-acid complex everyday. Get the best vitamin you can. Calcium is very important. I wash fresh eggshells, dry them, and when I have about a dozen, I bake them in my oven for 10 mins. at 350 degrees to kill any bacteria, then I grind them in a coffee grinder and store in fridge. I use 1/4 tsp each day, but my guys are big, 14 and 20 lbs!

For treats, I make my own "cookies" from non-grain flour, pumpkin, cinnamon, banannas, eggs, oil, and water. I had no recipe, I just experimented. They love them. Next time, I'm using tapioca flour. Look in your organic market.
Organic everything is best.

I put my time in doing my research. Start on the web. Amazon has great books. Look under natural pet care, holistic pet care, feeding natural, feeding raw, etc.

You'll feel sooooooo much better doing this. They will love it. My guys never turn down food. They get so excited about what's to eat, they start whining and licking me.

Variety of foods over time is the answer. There are so many good supplements out there. I used to give too many at first. I cut them all out except for vitamins, calcium, and ground flaxseed meal.

Remember, they need omega 3, from fish oils or flaxseed oil or meal. They digest proteins and fats best. So, use oils at each meal.

Whole Dog Journal is a great resource, and only 20 dollars a year for a subscription.

This morning they ate sardines with bones, cooked chopped kale, grated carrots, olive oil, small amount of pureed pumpkin to mix with vit, calcium, and flax, and a bit of brown rice cake. Wesley will not drink plain water, so I put hamburger in distilled water and simmer to get broth.

My guys never drank tap water. Only spring and distilled.

Congratulations and best wishes. It will take a month or so to make it effortless, but don't give up. You'll have furbabies in the best of health!

Wow--so much info--I think a lot of us want to know more.

If you produced a Yorkie Cook Book, even an e-book, I'd def buy it!

The Kale-- do you start with fresh or buy organic frozen? I ask only because fresh would be such a large qty and I'm thinking frozen is more manageable.

Also the lentils and beans-----dry or organice canned?

Can the egg shells be brown eggs?

How much ground flax sprinkled in?

How much oil at each meal?

Too many questions?

[LuvMySissy]

Originally Posted by suzysmitt

Thanks for all the info. on the dog food. Where do I get the fish oils and such as I need. I have a boxer, 2 pits, minature poodle, and Skippy, so I'd want to make larger quanities. Is it ok to make it ahead of time, and freeze it. This was so helpful. Thanks.

When I do my cooking, I usually am making a batch for about a month. I put it into 2C freezer containers, which for my two girls is about a week's worth of food and defrost one container as needed.

Brown rice has much more fiber and nutrients in it than white rice which has been processed to death (just like white flour and sugar).

[elle57]

i do not understand why anyone would makesuch a comment about your babies. that was very very rude and inconsiderate . they are the ones who should not be on this site. people on here care and love their babies very much.
i was not the one who made that comment , i sent you a private message saying it was not me. i do not do those things. i am the one who first asked on here did anyone make their own dog food.
i realy really appreciate it when you wrote back and gave all that knowledgeable information. i want to do the same as you are doing, so i do not have to worry about these recalls. i cannot imagne the heartache people must be having knowing they are the ones who gave their baby bad food, and have them die that horrible death.
in 1984 i lost my 9 year old mutt to kidney failure and now i am thinking it was the food. what did i know about dog food in 1984 . i just bought the stuff from the supermarket. my dog was healthy and young still with no problems at all and then all of a sudden she had kidney failure. it probaly was that.
if you have the time could you please post on here the recipes for the treats you make.
everything you do for your babies is great. you are a great mom and we all should do what you do !
thanks
elle57

Originally Posted by Superpup

Thank you Ziggy's Mom and HisNameIsHarley!

Your messages mean so much to me.

It's very hard to take anyone's mean comments about your child or furchild not being "normal". How crude. I was heartbroken to think that someone who supposedly loves animals could speak that way about anyone else's. I'm sure these people would never visit a shelter to adopt any of the "rejected", "sick", "imperfect" or "mixed-breed" pups and pooches.

Thank you so much for implicitly knowing how much I care for and love my boys. Members like you will keep me going on here at YT, where we love them all, big or small!

God Bless.

[suzysmitt]

Thanks for the replies on the oils and freezing.

[Superpup]

Hi Everyone, and thanks for your interest and support.

Organic everything is best. I shop at Whole Foods Market.
If this is not for you, use frozen veg, never canned.

Non-grain and brown rice flours are from Bob's Red Mill, as is ground flax.

Lentils and beans are organic dried, never canned.

If organic veg quantity is too much for you, you can wash, steam, and freeze portions in water.

Organic brown eggs are best.

I can only tell you amounts I use, but you must research for the size and weight of your own pet.

I make the "cookies" by eye. I use 1/2 bag of non-grain flour, tblsp of ground cinnamon, 3 tablsp of ground flax, 1 tblsp of ground pumpkin seeds, honey, 2 eggs, 1 cup pureed pumpkin (not pie filling) and about 6 tblsp of olive oil. Combine dry into wet. You can also add p-nut butter, molasses, banannas, dried or crushed fruits, etc. Dough is heavy and wet. Add distilled or spring water as needed. You can make "drop" cookies, or spread onto greased glass baking dish. Bake at 350 for about 40 mins. Cut into squares, and bake again at 375 for about 45 mins or longer to get them to be crunchy. Leave out only enough for about a week. Freeze rest in portions in plastic bags. These are preservative-free, so freeze the rest. Experiement with different ingredients. It's fun.

Remember, keep it simple. The research takes the longest. Keep your supplements simple, unless your loved one has certain allergies or conditions that need more natural ingredients. Drs. Foster and Smith has good vitamins for small dogs, but they are not completely natural.

Here is a list of web resources. Use a search engine.

Only Natural Pet (super selection)
Natural Pet Market
Robbins Natural Pet Care
Botanical Dog
Natural Canine
Holistic Pet Info
Healthy Pet
Natural Pets
Pet Care Naturally
Shirley's Wellness Cafe
Wellvet Holistic
Whole Dog Journal
The Pet Center
Recipes.robbiehaf.com
Waggintails
Alternatives 4 Animal Health
Dr. Goodpet
Earth Animal
B-Naturals
It's For The Animals
Judy's Naturals
Native Remedies
Lowchensaustralia (many great subjects including recipes)
Dogaware

Here is a list of great books (Amazon or Half.com)

Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats ( a must)
Natural Health Bible for Dogs and Cats
8 Weeks to a Healthy Dog
The Allergy Solution for Dogs
Natural Healing for Dogs and Cats
The Nature of Animal Healing
The Encyclopedia of Natural Pet Care
The Complete Holistic Dog Book

These books give guidance on home-prepared diets, supplements, and raw feeding, plus a wealth of knowledge for a natural lifestyle.

Thanks for your questions and interest. I hope we all will feed natural one day, a great variety of fresh and raw foods.

[AngelWorks]

Thanks superpup!

I am on my way-- I buy a lot of my supplies from amazon grocery---case lots and save a ton of money--plus over $25 and you get free shipping.

They have a good organic/natural section as well.

They carry Bob's stuff---my most recent order inc his red lentils.

On my stove right now I am simmering brown and wild rice, red lentils and green peas in low sodium organic chix broth.

woot

[Ozzie'sperson]

WOW! Superpup, I feel inadequate.

I just posted on a previous thread about how our Yorkie and two cats are homecookin' recipients and then saw your post. Also saw the obnoxious and totally uncalled for reply you got referring to the size of your boys. (Our Ozzie is 13 pounds, and up until the past year, quite healthy on his diet. And he'll be 10 in June.) Can't imagine a YTer being so hurtful as that must have been to you. But, that's just ONE person.

So many great sources of info on here. If Ozzie's recent illnesses did nothing else, they helped me find YT. How's that for a silver lining?!

[ARCHIE]

Originally Posted by Pampered-Puppy

oh ok im sorry i mistook what you meant...i thought you were in the line of them being large and you were proud they were not normal!

Hello?
What the heck do you mean NOT NORMAL?
I am very proud that Buddy is normal and weighs 13.5lbs.
He is beautiful, healthy and just bigger. His size does not
mean he is not normal. If you are a Yorkie lover please do
you research before you open your mouth!

[elle57]

Originally Posted by Superpup

Hi Everyone, and thanks for your interest and support.

Organic everything is best. I shop at Whole Foods Market.
If this is not for you, use frozen veg, never canned.

Non-grain and brown rice flours are from Bob's Red Mill, as is ground flax.

Lentils and beans are organic dried, never canned.

If organic veg quantity is too much for you, you can wash, steam, and freeze portions in water.

Organic brown eggs are best.

I can only tell you amounts I use, but you must research for the size and weight of your own pet.

I make the "cookies" by eye. I use 1/2 bag of non-grain flour, tblsp of ground cinnamon, 3 tablsp of ground flax, 1 tblsp of ground pumpkin seeds, honey, 2 eggs, 1 cup pureed pumpkin (not pie filling) and about 6 tblsp of olive oil. Combine dry into wet. You can also add p-nut butter, molasses, banannas, dried or crushed fruits, etc. Dough is heavy and wet. Add distilled or spring water as needed. You can make "drop" cookies, or spread onto greased glass baking dish. Bake at 350 for about 40 mins. Cut into squares, and bake again at 375 for about 45 mins or longer to get them to be crunchy. Leave out only enough for about a week. Freeze rest in portions in plastic bags. These are preservative-free, so freeze the rest. Experiement with different ingredients. It's fun.

Remember, keep it simple. The research takes the longest. Keep your supplements simple, unless your loved one has certain allergies or conditions that need more natural ingredients. Drs. Foster and Smith has good vitamins for small dogs, but they are not completely natural.

Here is a list of web resources. Use a search engine.

Only Natural Pet (super selection)
Natural Pet Market
Robbins Natural Pet Care
Botanical Dog
Natural Canine
Holistic Pet Info
Healthy Pet
Natural Pets
Pet Care Naturally
Shirley's Wellness Cafe
Wellvet Holistic
Whole Dog Journal
The Pet Center
Recipes.robbiehaf.com
Waggintails
Alternatives 4 Animal Health
Dr. Goodpet
Earth Animal
B-Naturals
It's For The Animals
Judy's Naturals
Native Remedies
Lowchensaustralia (many great subjects including recipes)
Dogaware

Here is a list of great books (Amazon or Half.com)

Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats ( a must)
Natural Health Bible for Dogs and Cats
8 Weeks to a Healthy Dog
The Allergy Solution for Dogs
Natural Healing for Dogs and Cats
The Nature of Animal Healing
The Encyclopedia of Natural Pet Care
The Complete Holistic Dog Book

These books give guidance on home-prepared diets, supplements, and raw feeding, plus a wealth of knowledge for a natural lifestyle.

Thanks for your questions and interest. I hope we all will feed natural one day, a great variety of fresh and raw foods.

my goodness, you are so smart and you have done your research ! i am going to try to follow you as an example.

just a few questions, do i steam or boil the chicken breasts?
pureed pumpkin,not canned, where do i get that?
can i use regular lentils ,like dried ones from a bag.
how do you suppose i should wean him off the canned and dry food ? or do i give him the food without his dog food.
i thank you and really appreciate all your help
thanks
elle57

[Yorkiedaze]

Feeding real food should not be scary or complicated. It's very simple.
Here are some guide lines:

RECOMMENDED LEGUMES

Kidney beans
Lentils
Pinto beans
Soybeans
Split Peas
White or black beans

BEST-LIKED VEGGIES THAT CAN BE FED RAW:

Chopped parsley
Alfalfa sprouts
Grated carrots (cook for cats)
Grated zucchini

THESE VEGETABLE FAVORITES SHOULD BE COOKED BEFORE FEEDING:

Corn
Peas
Green beans
Broccoli
Sweet potatoes

DAIRY:

Powdered milk
Eggs
Plain non-fat yogurt
Cheddar cheese
Cottage cheese (non-fat)

GRAINS:

Oats
Millet Brown rice
Bulgur Barley
Whole wheat couscous
Cornmeal buckwheat
Wheat berries

MEATS:

Lean: Turkey, chicken, hamburger, chuck, duck, rabbit, tuna, mackerel & salmon.
Fatty: Roaster chicken (with skin) fatty beef heart, brains, regular hamburger, fatty chuck, sirloin steak, lamb or pork, (If using fatty meat, reduce the amount of oil in the recipe) organ meats such as hearts, gizzard, kidney & liver.

Now it's up to you how you want to make up the recipes. I'm sure you can come up with countless ways to feed real.

For treats, you can give dried fruits such as figs, dates, prunes and apricots as well as fresh fruits like apples, bananas and berries. Like vegetables, fruits are great storehouses of vitamins, minerals, and vital energy.

[baileysmom31]

Wow you guys are great. I just read the post in the other forum about the Royal Canin lawsuit and with the Iam's recall, I thought I must start cooking for my babies. And with Tia being just a smidge over 2.5 lbs, just a tiny bit of something bad could be fatal. I remember that when we got Bailey she had Gardenia (sp) and i cooked for her then, but my vet said home cooked food doesn't have the right combo of nutrition. I see that vitamin supplements have been mentioned. What are some good ones. I currently am using Missing Link..is this enough? I really want to give this a try and if my Vet comments, I'll tell him that at least i know I'm not poisoning them with rat poison of massive doses of vitamin D!

[milomlo]

Originally Posted by ARCHIE

Hello?
What the heck do you mean NOT NORMAL?
I am very proud that Buddy is normal and weighs 13.5lbs.
He is beautiful, healthy and just bigger. His size does not
mean he is not normal. If you are a Yorkie lover please do
you research before you open your mouth!

AMEN! I was going to say the same thing. My Cody is 15# and I love ever pound of him. He is completely NORMAL.
If you can't say something nice maybe you shouldn't say anything.

[Yorkiedaze]

I remember that when we got Bailey she had Gardenia (sp) and i cooked for her then, but my vet said home cooked food doesn't have the right combo of nutrition.

Most Vets. are NOT trained in neutrition, but would rather sell dog food.
My Vet. even has a very big book of recipes for dogs with any kind of health problem or even for well dogs. He said you cannot beat real food. If you buy some Holistic dog books, you will learn a lot in neutrition because they have so many nice recipes and explainations.