Some of you may or may not have heard about the Menu Foods recall in 2007. Many brands (even some of the most trusted brands) of dog food were recalled due to the melamine content. Melamine is an industrial chemical that causes inferior rice concentrate and wheat gluten to look more nourishing than they really are. Thousands of dogs died from this, and more than 5,000 pet food products were removed from store shelves.
Aside from melamine, there are other ingredients still included in dog food that aren’t particularly healthful, aside from providing the bare minimum to keep your dog functioning. Some of these ingredients include “mystery meat” (unidentified source of meat), Propylene Glycol, Gluten, and BHA/BHT. For a complete list of these unhealthy ingredients, visit Dog Food for Life.
If you want to be 100% positive that you are feeding your dog the most wholesome dog food, you can always make it yourself! Don’t freak out—this isn’t as tough as it sounds. Dogs require natural ingredients, mainly meat because they have need of larger amounts of protein. We’re going to list a few easy but completely nutritious recipes that are a cinch to follow. If you find you have a knack for making your own dog food, have a look at the Dog Food for Life eBook, which contains a great deal of excellent recipes for meals, treats, and desserts for your dog.
The first set of recipes provide nutritionally balanced meals that your dog is sure to enjoy!
Meat and Potato Meal
12 ½ cups of potatoes, chunked
3 pounds beef heart, cut into chunks
¼ cup vegetable oil
1 cup zucchini, squash, carrots or peas
6 tablespoons dog powder
4 teaspoons bone meal (Check the label, it should have 1300-1500 mg of calcium per tablespoon. If it doesn’t, adjust the amount you use accordingly.)
In a large pot, boil the potatoes until they become soft. If you choose to cook the meat, pour out half the water and add the beef heart chunks. Then simmer until they are no longer pink. Add the remaining ingredients. If you are feeding raw, pour off all of the water after you cook the potatoes, and just add the beef heart with the remaining ingredients.
Servings: Toy dogs: 1-2 cups, Small dogs: 3-4 cups, Medium dogs: 6-7 cups, Large dogs: 8-9 cups per day, Giant dogs: 9 cups per day
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Beefy Rice
2 ½ cups brown rice
3 pounds ground chuck (80% lean)
¼ cup dog oil supplement
1 cup zucchini, peas, pumpkin or wheatgrass sprouts (switch them out from time to time)
6 tablespoons dog powder
4 teaspoons bone meal (Check the label; it should have 1300-1500 mg of calcium per tablespoon. If it doesn’t, adjust the amount you use accordingly.)
Heat 5 cups of water in a large pot until it comes to a boil. Add the rice, turn the pot down to a simmer, and cover it. If you choose to cook the meat, add it now and cook it with the rice. Once the rice is cooked, add the remaining ingredients. If you are feeding raw, you’ll add your meat at this time as well.
Servings: Toy dogs: 1-2 cups, Small dogs: 3-4 cups, Medium dogs: 6-7 cups, Large dogs: 8-9 cups per day, Giant dogs: 9 cups per day
The next couple of recipes make great treats for your dog!
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Barking Barley Brownies
1 ¼ pounds beef liver or chicken liver
2 cups wheat germ
2 tablespoons whole wheat flour
1 cup cooked barley
2 whole eggs
3 tablespoons peanut butter
1 clove garlic
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt – optional
Pre heat oven to 350. Liquefy liver and garlic clove in a blender; when it’s smooth, add eggs and peanut butter. Blend till smooth. In separate mixing bowl, combine wheat germ, whole wheat flour, and cooked barley. Add processed liver mixture, olive oil and salt. Mix well.
Spread mixture in a greased 9×9 baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes or until done. When cool, cut into pieces that accommodate your dog’s size. Store in refrigerator. or freezer.
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Yogurt Pups
16 ounces plain non-fat yogurt
¾ cup water
1 tablespoon chicken bouillon granules
Dissolve bouillon in water, Combine water and yogurt in blender and blend thoroughly, Pour into small containers for freezing, cover and freeze.
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