Doggone Good: Home-cooked dog food
Our beloved Hugo became a part of our family six years ago. At the time, I had a co-worker who owned several working dogs, Retrievers, I believe. I mention this because the idea of making dog food from scratch at home using healthy, fresh food was introduced to me long ago by her. She would prepare large batches of fresh chicken, brown rice, and veggies. Although I wasn’t living an OUTSIDE of the Box lifestyle quite yet the thought of home-cooked dog food intrigued me. I discussed the idea with the vet, but since our guy was just a pup the vet was not in favor of me feeding Hugo a fresh food diet.
Hugo is a purebred, Salt & Pepper Mini Schnauzer. Over the last couple of years his fur around his paws has started to turn brown. After some research I surmised the brown discoloration is from the dye in the kibble I was feeding him. I used to buy him a decent brand kibble from the pet food store. But, bottom line it was still commercially processed. And, you know how I feel about commercially processed food. Since I’ve completely transformed myself, my diet and I no longer eat boxed, processed food. Preparing fresh home-cooked dog food for Hugo is a natural progression.
Last week, I started preparing a fresh food diet for him too. Bye-bye bagged kibble. This is a work in progress. So I’ll be experimenting with what works best. Just as there are many diets for humans there are also tons of theories on what diet is best for dogs. No doubt there is a science behind it all. Some say no to grains, some say yes. I have to find what’s best for him.
Here’s what currently is in his bowl:
– Boiled whole chicken with no salt or other additives
– Brown rice or oats with no salt or other additives
– Raw vegetables (carrots, green beans, lettuce) I like serving the veggies raw because he gets the crunch — similar to kibble
I’m also considering adding fish oil, kelp, or a pet-food supplement to ensure he’s getting the vitamins and minerals he needs. I’ll check in with the vet to see what he thinks, but this time there is no talking me out of feeding him a fresh food diet. Hugo is officially OUTSIDE of the Bag!
More about home-cooked meals for pets:
Does it Pay to Make Your Own Pet Food?
Homemade Dog Food
Home-Cooked Dog Food Diets
Chrisetta Mosley
I am a product – and now a survivor – of childhood obesity. As a child, my family always told me that my extra weight was merely baby fat and I’d eventually grow out of it. I never did. Instead, my childhood is filled with memories of not being able to ride a bike, flattening its training wheels from being over the recommended weight, and avoiding P.E. classes by any means necessary. For years, I wore my fatness like a wounded soldier wears a Purple Heart - with pride. I owned the look. I dressed it up. I worked the room. There wasn't a skinny girl who intimidated me. I made sure my hair was laid just right. Nails polished. Outfits coordinated to the tee. Accessories to compliment every outfit. But everyone has a breaking point, and mine came in the spring of 2004 when I tipped the scale at nearly 400 pounds 388 to be exact. I was MISERABLE trapped inside of that body. I no longer wore my Purple Heart with pride. Rather, I was ashamed and frightened. Ashamed that I had allowed food to become my everything – frightened I would die because of it. Drastic times called for drastic measures... Today, I’m bound and determined to live a better, healthier, active lifestyle. I realize I’m no longer a passenger in my life, I’m the driver. I’m overcoming my inhibitions and I’m slowly but surely saying farewell to my old childhood nemesis, obesity. For once and for all, Farewell Fatso!