Tuesday, August 07, 2007

Snickers Gets HomeMade Dog Food!




We have taken the plunge to reduce the amount of packaged dog food Snickers eat. Snickers had a routine Veterinary appointment, so we talked about home made dog food for Snickers. We were cautioned that we would need to be very careful about keeping Snickers weight down. It can be easy for a dog to gain weight when eating a home made diet. Another warning was that we would need to take extra care of Snickers teeth because she wouldn't be eating the crunchy nuggets.


So, we purchased a "finger cot" style toothbrush that fits over our finger. We have some fluoride free chicken flavored toothpaste to use with the toothbrush. Another caution was not to brush the inside of the teeth until we were sure Snickers wouldn't bite!


Making the dog food was easy. I weighed out 60% meat protein, 20 % fruit and vegetable and 20% grains and legumes. I didn't use onions or peppers. First I put the ground meat into a slow cooker until the fat cooked off. Then I drained as much fat away as I could. I added the vegetables, fruit and grain and cooked until everything was soft. Then I used a potato masher to roughly mash and mix it all together. I froze small portions so I could take a days worth out each night to thaw in the refrigerator. Everyone should talk to their vet before they try any homemade recipes. You, the dog and the vet all need to be comfortable with what you are feeding your dog.


Snickers just loves the food. We are carefully watching her weight to see if she will put any pounds on. Doesn't she look silly getting her teeth brushed?

Hey! How did this garden picture get in here?

8 comments:

Oscar's mummy and daddy said...

Snickers is a lucky girl. I'm sure she's going to love her home made food.

Katy xxx

Lorenza said...

Hi, Snickers.
Do you like to get your teeth brushed?? I really don't like it but my mom does it anyway!
For some reason the vets here only recommend dry food for us!
I don't know how did that garden picture got in there but sure its beautiful!
Have a good night
Lorenza

Sharon said...

Our vet wasn't real excited about home made dog food because she doesn't like the raw diet. Once she knew we were cooking the food, she was fine with it. We have been mixing 50/50 with the dry food so she still gets some crunch, plus we supplement with a multivitamin. We will have to be careful, though. Snickers is a three legged dog and so can't carry any extra weight.
Sharon

Manda Girl said...

I make the girls food as well - basically because Miko has so many allergies we are trying to figure out what reacts with her the most. She's allergic to grains and wheats so it's just protein and veggies/fruits for them.

For Snickers teeth - try finding Antler chews. The girls love them - they helped take so much plaque off their teeth - they aren't stinky and don't break like rawhides and bones.

Manda Girl said...

Hi Sharon,

Yep - ours are real Elk antlers that are sold in more natural pet stores here. I haven't found them to splinter at all - BUT of course there is always a chance that something might happen. Our antler chews don't break up easily at all and the girls spend hours chewing on them. Teeth brushing is good too :)

PreciOus said...

Hi Snickers,

I have to brush my teeth twice everyday and I hates it. I lurve the taste of the toothpaste thou. Hehe. Homemade food are great, I got to eat it once in awhile and when I need to take my monthly heartworm pill. Tricky sista.

Snuggle,
Precious

Katherine and Pippa said...

I don't do teeth brushing - I don't do much.

Mistress likes the flowers though.

Pippa

Ben & Darling said...

Hey Snickers, I have home cook food everyday!!! Grandma cook for me during dinner time but its almost the same recipe. Rice + chicken breast + vege/carrot/garlic...grandma just steam it without any favour but I love it !!!
Well I hate toothbrush & mom is fedup so no brushing teeth for me !!! Hehehe..