Originally Posted by Ceibasmom (Post 1061628)

Dogs - varies depending on age, activity level, health, weight and season. These are guidelines based on weight; the total is per day and should be divided between two meals:

Up to 10 pounds - 1 to 11/2 cups
11 to 20 pounds - 2 to 3 cups
21 to 40 pounds - 4 cups
For each additional 20 pounds, add 2 cups.

SPOT'S CHICKEN STEW

21/2 pounds whole chicken or turkey (bones, organs, skin and all)
1/4 cup chopped fresh garlic
1 cup green peas
1 cup coarsely chopped carrots
1/2 cup coarsely chopped sweet potato
1/2 cup coarsely chopped zucchini
1/2 cup coarsely chopped yellow squash
1/2 cup coarsely chopped green beans
1/2 cup coarsely chopped celery
1 tablespoon kelp powder
1 tablespoon chopped rosemary
11 to 16 cups spring water

For dogs only: Add 8 ounces whole barley and 6 ounces rolled oats, and adjust the water content to 16 cups spring water or enough to cover the ingredients. (The grains are not recommended for cats.)

Yield: 20 cups.
Combine all ingredients in a 10-quart stainless-steel stockpot with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, then turn down heat as low as possible and simmer for 2 hours; carrots should be very soft.
Remove from heat, let cool, and debone the chicken.
With an electric hand mixer or a food processor, blend the ingredients into a puree. The stew should be slightly thicker for dogs and more soupy for cats.
Using plastic baggies or yogurt containers, divide into meal-sized portions. Refrigerate three days' worth and freeze the rest.

Source: "The Whole Pet Diet: Eight Weeks to Great Health for Dogs and Cats," by Andi Brown (Celestial Arts, $16.95)

Originally Posted by Ceibasmom (Post 1061628)

Dogs - varies depending on age, activity level, health, weight and season. These are guidelines based on weight; the total is per day and should be divided between two meals:

Up to 10 pounds - 1 to 11/2 cups
11 to 20 pounds - 2 to 3 cups
21 to 40 pounds - 4 cups
For each additional 20 pounds, add 2 cups.

SPOT'S CHICKEN STEW

21/2 pounds whole chicken or turkey (bones, organs, skin and all)
1/4 cup chopped fresh garlic
1 cup green peas
1 cup coarsely chopped carrots
1/2 cup coarsely chopped sweet potato
1/2 cup coarsely chopped zucchini
1/2 cup coarsely chopped yellow squash
1/2 cup coarsely chopped green beans
1/2 cup coarsely chopped celery
1 tablespoon kelp powder
1 tablespoon chopped rosemary
11 to 16 cups spring water

For dogs only: Add 8 ounces whole barley and 6 ounces rolled oats, and adjust the water content to 16 cups spring water or enough to cover the ingredients. (The grains are not recommended for cats.)

Yield: 20 cups.
Combine all ingredients in a 10-quart stainless-steel stockpot with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, then turn down heat as low as possible and simmer for 2 hours; carrots should be very soft.
Remove from heat, let cool, and debone the chicken.
With an electric hand mixer or a food processor, blend the ingredients into a puree. The stew should be slightly thicker for dogs and more soupy for cats.
Using plastic baggies or yogurt containers, divide into meal-sized portions. Refrigerate three days' worth and freeze the rest.

Source: "The Whole Pet Diet: Eight Weeks to Great Health for Dogs and Cats," by Andi Brown (Celestial Arts, $16.95)

Originally Posted by Ceibasmom (Post 1061628)

Dogs - varies depending on age, activity level, health, weight and season. These are guidelines based on weight; the total is per day and should be divided between two meals:

Up to 10 pounds - 1 to 11/2 cups
11 to 20 pounds - 2 to 3 cups
21 to 40 pounds - 4 cups
For each additional 20 pounds, add 2 cups.

SPOT'S CHICKEN STEW

21/2 pounds whole chicken or turkey (bones, organs, skin and all)
1/4 cup chopped fresh garlic
1 cup green peas
1 cup coarsely chopped carrots
1/2 cup coarsely chopped sweet potato
1/2 cup coarsely chopped zucchini
1/2 cup coarsely chopped yellow squash
1/2 cup coarsely chopped green beans
1/2 cup coarsely chopped celery
1 tablespoon kelp powder
1 tablespoon chopped rosemary
11 to 16 cups spring water

For dogs only: Add 8 ounces whole barley and 6 ounces rolled oats, and adjust the water content to 16 cups spring water or enough to cover the ingredients. (The grains are not recommended for cats.)

Yield: 20 cups.
Combine all ingredients in a 10-quart stainless-steel stockpot with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, then turn down heat as low as possible and simmer for 2 hours; carrots should be very soft.
Remove from heat, let cool, and debone the chicken.
With an electric hand mixer or a food processor, blend the ingredients into a puree. The stew should be slightly thicker for dogs and more soupy for cats.
Using plastic baggies or yogurt containers, divide into meal-sized portions. Refrigerate three days' worth and freeze the rest.

Source: "The Whole Pet Diet: Eight Weeks to Great Health for Dogs and Cats," by Andi Brown (Celestial Arts, $16.95)

Originally Posted by myriamha (Post 1063708)

HOMEMADE DOG FOOD


Generally speaking, commercially produced dog foods, especially those that have been certified by national veterinary societies, provide a good, safe and convenient way of feeding your dogs. However, some people find that their dogs are sensitive to some of the preservatives in these foods and want an inexpensive alternative. Other people worry about what they should be feeding their dogs at times when they have let the dog kibble supply run out, or are in some circumstance where commercial foods are not available. Some other people simply don't feel that the monotonous diet of the same kibble all of the time is good for their dogs, while others worry about trace nutritional elements that might be missed any one set diet.

Actually a nutritious and balanced diet based on ?people food? is easy to prepare.

A 12 oz portion is suitable for one day?s ration for a 20 lb dog.
4 oz (1/2 cup) protein ? any meat, chicken, fish or eggs (all cooked).
4 oz carbohydrate ? for example cooked rice or grains, pasta, cooked cereals such as oatmeal, potatoes or even bread (packed tight when measuring).
4 oz vegetables ? any cooked vegetables (obviously not potatoes or other high carbohydrates). Carrots, broccoli, turnips, green peppers, green beans, etc., but not onions which contain high sulfur content which is bad for dogs.
Simply mix the contents together or not as you choose.
While this basic diet is balanced it can be improved by some simple supplements.

To mix the basic supplement use
1 cup debittered brewers yeast
1 cup wheat germ
2 cups powdered milk
? 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.

Originally Posted by Sylvie (Post 4795774)

I have been boiling chicken but am lookping for a suggestion for something crunchy to add. I usually add carrots and peas, and 2x per week she get a probiotic.