Increasing Frustration w/ Homecooking - advice?

[yorkieK9trainer]

Oh, and you'll find Timberwolf in my pantry often times, but only the formula for it that I'll buy-because it's sans sunflower products-is the Wild & Natural Dry.

Otherwise I like Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance......the list is somewhat long.

And I like each for different reasons and gear it towards each dog. Which can be a pain in the a$s when you have a multiple dog household. But it'd be the same way w/ me cooking, just more time!

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by yorkieK9trainer

Home cooking can only be dangerous in the sense that if you don't get your formulas spot on for each dog as an individual (because while perhaps the same breed, each dog within that breed has it's own unique nutritional requirements) you can actually cause more harm than good.

Eek! I hadn't heard this before. Where would I find out specific needs for yorkies? My guys do have Canidae for grazing during the day - so they are getting a boost there - but otherwise they get human food, 3 meals a day (6am, 4pm, 8pm). I hope I'm causing them more good than harm...but one never knows.

[yorkieK9trainer]

You know how it's recommended that humans only consume a certain amount of Vitamin A every day, otherwise it can actually cause us harm? But otherwise in proper doses it has significant benefits?
Well, it's the same w/ our pups. Problem is that not enough studies have been done on them as they have w/ our nutritional requirements. Frustrated yet?

SO, I follow the guidlines for people and just do the math and make it proportional to our little ones size.

There is a good book to read from an Australian out there called "Give Your Dog a Bone". While I don't give my dogs bones, I do agree w/ everything else virtually in the book and have seen MANY dogs on his recommended dieting from large to small and have been nothing but impressed thus far. Keeping in mind that these dogs were either pets or competition animals also...so I've been able to see a variety of nutritional requirements do well on his suggested feedings.
There are other books, but I tend to see that I piece them together w/ other's practises.

If I found a school that was worth a darn, I'd go and get certified as a nutritionalist myself. I know there must be one that exists, hey...how about I ask MY nutritionalist?

I hope you're having a great day!
~Leslie

[LuvMySissy]

Originally Posted by diggy4

OMG your in TRENTON!! Im right below ya in Monroe! MAybe Ill just drive up to your house and steal your book!! lol Just kiddin....I will check that book out tho....I need something easy.....

You are certainly welcome to borrow it!!! You definitely need to come here and we'll have a meet-up. We have several local YTers and a VERY activie Michigan meet-up group. In fact, there is a meet-up on Saturday 6/16 in St. John's (between Lansing and Mt. Pleasant) that I am planning to attend. Lets definitely get together!!!!!!

[mistyinca]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

First, I just got Pitcairn's book, which I find overwhelming and rather confusing at times (even the recipes). Here are the supplements I'm giving: Missing Link, calcium (bone meal), Multi Vit, Vit E/A/D.

Now, what I'm finding so frustrating is that I'm also reading other homecooking info - and some experts say "no grain, but yes to veggies" - others say "no veggies (not needed), but yes to grains"!!!!!!!!!! I'm REALLY feeling insecure about my homecooking.

Pitcairn says "don't stray too far from my recipes" - so, it feels like rocket science. And why is he recommending grains if we're always looking for grain-free dog food?

I'm just feeling like there is a real lack of simplicity for those of us who are new to homecooking and/or thinking about homecooking.

I think what I really need to know is: is my supplement regimen complete? If I do meat/veggie/grain - can I just do a "ratio" as in 2 parts meat/1 part veg/1 part grain? Or should I eliminate grain altogether and just do meat/veggie - what ratio?

I just need reassurance that my babies are getting what they need. I also need simplicity from you experts! Hep me, hep me!

I bought this book a while back, and I have to say, I was VERY disappointed with it. I found much better information on homecooking at a group for homecooking at Dogster. When I found the Pitcairn book recommending veggie foods for cats, it lost ANY AND ALL credibility with me.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by mistyinca

I bought this book a while back, and I have to say, I was VERY disappointed with it. I found much better information on homecooking at a group for homecooking at Dogster. When I found the Pitcairn book recommending veggie foods for cats, it lost ANY AND ALL credibility with me.

Exactly. I was so disappointed too - my expectations were high, and it felt like a let down. Do you mind sharing the basics of your feeding program?

[LuvMySissy]

I'm certainly no expert, but here's what Sissy has been eating for the past year and the vet says she's doing great!!

2 lbs Boneless, skinless Amish Chicken Breasts, boiled
2 cups Gourmet Brown/Black/Red Rices, cooked with rice cooker
1 large sweet potato, peeled, cut into chunks and steamed
1 lb asparagus, steamed
1 bag baby carrots, steamed
1 bag organic baby spinach leaves, steamed

When veggies and potato are still slightly crisp, cut into small pieces and add to rice & chicken. I use 2 C freezer containers which feeds my two girls dinner for about 6 nights.

I have just started using the Honest Kitchen dehydrated raw food to make things a little easier. They love it, it is Human Grade, all organic ingredients and produced in an FDA regulated plant.

[mistyinca]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Exactly. I was so disappointed too - my expectations were high, and it felt like a let down. Do you mind sharing the basics of your feeding program?

I had no luck with homecooked feeding. Chloe does not eat...anything. We've tried everything--even homecooked food. She loathes all food equally, so I don't make homemade anymore.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by mistyinca

I had no luck with homecooked feeding. Chloe does not eat...anything. We've tried everything--even homecooked food. She loathes all food equally, so I don't make homemade anymore.

Oh my gosh, what on earth do you feed her? You poor thing, she probably worries you to death! Do you think she's nauseous maybe? I wonder if she needs Sucralate (sp?) or something to coat/ease her tummy.

[mistyinca]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Oh my gosh, what on earth do you feed her? You poor thing, she probably worries you to death! Do you think she's nauseous maybe? I wonder if she needs Sucralate (sp?) or something to coat/ease her tummy.

We give her Royal Canin, and sometimes I'll put out a 1/2 cesar too (I know its crap, but she won't eat). Sometimes, she'll eat a full day's worth of food, but it is common for her to go like 3-4 days eating no more than a tablespoon or so of dry. More often than not, even the cesar sits out and dries up uneaten.

I have had to learn not to stress out about it. Trust me, I've done plenty of worrying and crying over it. She is energetic and thin but not emaciated.

What is the sucralate? Funny, when she had an upset tummy and had diarrhea, she was given a pink stuff like pepto bismol. She actually ate very well during those days she was on that medicince.

I'm hoping when we get Paris, that Chloe will be prompted to eat by the fact that another dog will be eating--you know, the competition thing. WE'll see.

[lisatodd]

hats off to you for trying homecooking for your babies. sounds confusing

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by mistyinca

What is the sucralate? Funny, when she had an upset tummy and had diarrhea, she was given a pink stuff like pepto bismol. She actually ate very well during those days she was on that medicince.

Surcalate is a presription from your vet - it helps w/ stomach irritation and nauseousness. Sometimes they also give it if another prescription is known for stomach upset.

Interesting she at so well w/ the Pepto - I wonder if you could just give it to her on a regular basis?