Home made dog food recipes?

Do you think if those home made dog food recipes are necessary?

If so, would you take the time to make "home cooking" dog food for your dogs?

We have cooked for our dog but only when he was having some allergy problems. Turned out it was not food related any way. Mostly he gets a good quality kibble. Also now that he is older and having some problems his kibble gets mixed with canned. Again, the better brands. Merrick, Wellness & Innova

Did your dog like your home cooking over the dog food?

We are lucky in that our dog loves FOOD. He really doesn't care about the source. Unlike other dogs we can feed him real home cooked chicken breast, turkey or lamb and he will eat it with gusto. Then we can give him kibble and he eats it with just as much gusto. He is not a picky dog!

Lucky indeed. Many pets are actually picky on what they eat. Even some fish.

Oh wow. I have been lucky in not having picky dogs. Mine have been chow hounds as far back as I remember. Being foodies also make them easier to train! They will do anything for that tasty tidbit, even if it is a dry cheerio or piece of kibble that is fed at mealtime.

I didn't know dogs could eat cheerios. Lol. I'll have to remember that next time I go shopping.

I've never cooked for my dogs, but I've spent extra time preparing meals or treats. Crushing up a couple of eggs, etc. Which I never actually noticed how much shells stick together when raw...took me ages to get them to break up into smaller pieces. Mind you, I was using a potato masher, maybe I haven't found the right method yet.

There's recipes for making kibble cakes for dogs too, I was entertaining on making them one for their birthdays last year, as they share the same birth-week. Didn't actually do it though, as I was a bit worried in using up all that kibble...

I hope you know I do not feed him a bowl of cheerios but if i drop one, slurp, it is gone.
Try tossing the eggs in a blender or food processor?
I (yes me) made our dog some cookies/bisquits, what ever. I just used rice flour (the bag), a little chicken fat (for flavor/smell), 2 eggs, shredded cheddar and enough water to make it all stick together. Add the water a little at a time or you can get the whole thing too runny. I flattened the whole mess out on a cookies sheet (don't I paint a pretty picture?) run a table knife through it to make about 1" squares. Bake at 375 till brown and turn the oven off. Leave them in the oven while they cool (it hardens them more). As there are no preservatives put them in the fridge in a covered container or they will mold. He goes nuts for them but then, like I said, cheerios... I will admit I have munched them too. Found them a little plain for my taste but then I don't have the nose to smell that chicken fat.

(03-17-2012 11:41 PM)bw Wrote:  I hope you know I do not feed him a bowl of cheerios but if i drop one, slurp, it is gone.
Try tossing the eggs in a blender or food processor?
I (yes me) made our dog some cookies/bisquits, what ever. I just used rice flour (the bag), a little chicken fat (for flavor/smell), 2 eggs, shredded cheddar and enough water to make it all stick together. Add the water a little at a time or you can get the whole thing too runny. I flattened the whole mess out on a cookies sheet (don't I paint a pretty picture?) run a table knife through it to make about 1" squares. Bake at 375 till brown and turn the oven off. Leave them in the oven while they cool (it hardens them more). As there are no preservatives put them in the fridge in a covered container or they will mold. He goes nuts for them but then, like I said, cheerios... I will admit I have munched them too. Found them a little plain for my taste but then I don't have the nose to smell that chicken fat.

lol @ you munched on the food you cooked for your dog.

Isn't wheat flour empty nutrition for a dog? I thought they can only digest protein and fat.

Ram8349, Not only is it empty nutrition, wheat is a cause of allergies in many dogs. That is why I use rice flour when baking those treats. I will not feed any food or treat that contains corn or wheat (both can contribute to allergies) or any by-products. I feel like just with us, better nutrition, better health.
True story: A young co-worker bought his new wife a pup. Angel. After they had her for a while I ask one day how is angel doing. He says she doing fine but she scratches a lot. It was winter so I did not think fleas. I ask what they fed her. He named a grocery store brand of food. I told him, about corn and wheat in dog food. Also told him about better brands that do not contain either and suggested he gradually switch her to one of those brands. That Sunday I got a call from him. He was in a pet food store but a different one from the one I use, therefore their brands were different. He started reading ingredients lists to me. When he hit on one that had a type of MEAT, not meal, as the first ingredient and contained no corn, wheat or by products I said, THAT ONE! Get that one. Several weeks later I asked him how was Angels scratching? He said, You know, she doesn't do that any more. Coincidence? I think not!!