Home Cooking - Where do I Begin??

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

So, I talked to the vet tonight and it's official that I'm going to "the dark side" (just kidding, of course). Because Guinness has a diagnosis of IBS the vet is recommending that I go fully to home cooking. I must admit I am surprised at this suggestion, since I fully expected her to recommend one of their prescription diets. She asked that I put together a plan including recipes that I would use and bring it to her this week to review. She will assess it to be sure that I'm not missing anything. So, now I'm panicked. I will copy and print some of the recipes here in the food group. I am at a loss when it comes to how much I should be feeding each time. Previously I just feed the amounts shown on the labels of the dog food for Guinness who is only 16 pounds. Since he's been on the chicken and rice diet for the past two days he's eating his whole bowl and acting like he wants more. I think that is only because he's so excited to have "people food". His "pooping" is still totally different than in the past. He is still only going once a day (and very little). Are there any important considerations that I need to be aware of as I make this switch. I'm thrilled to death that he doesn't have anything more serious, but right now I feel a little overwhelmed (and somewhat ignorant).

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Oh Jane, welcome to the dark side.....It's really rather pleasant over here. Even fun!!!! Yes, you can expect he will eat like there is no tomorrow with real food. I think they are so excited and it is just so good!!!! There is so much help here as well as several books to read. Dr. Pitcairns (sp) is very helpful. I still add dog food now as we are with our daughter's doodle and she doesn't want to homecook exclusively for hers, but I will get back to all homecooking soon, for mine.
You are fortunate to find a vet that will help and advise you. So much info on this site and tons more on the internet. I love cooking for my doodle and knowing what is going into him. Good luck.

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

Congratulations and WELCOME TO THE DARK SIDE! First, I am really proud and glad that your vet recommended this. I think, that as more and more is discovered about what's really in most dogfoods, those vets who stay on top of their profession will start to recommend this, too.

Start with simple ingredients like breast chicken, brown rice and some green beans. You can add other ingredients as you get more comfortable and you see that there is no problem with the diet. I would give about 2 weeks in between new things. Give a daily vitamin and a teaspoon of plain yogurt and you are good to go.

As far as amounts it depends on if you were and are going to feed once or twice a day. I try to make their dishes look (by eye, I don't measure) about the same as they did when I was feeding the other. So if you were feeding about a cup, feed a cup of HC'd. You can adjust up or down as you go. It is nerve wracking to start, but soooo much better in the long run. I do about 50-60% of the protein and the rest in rice & veggies.

Pick up a copy of Pitcairn's book, but remember, some of his recipes are not practical for making everyday (in my opinion). The simpler the better to start out. You can get creative later. Good Luck.

OH, remember, his poops will be a little smaller and softer (not runny) than you are used to. This is normal.

[Tina J.]

Lynne,

What's the purpose of a t of plain yogurt daily? (like humans, just colon health? or is there more to it for doggies?)
I've been homecooking for close to a month now. Boo's stools are still VERY soft... Is that to be expected, at this point?
I foolishly bought white rice for our dog food, but it's almost gone and will be replaced with brown rice... But as far as what else they're eating, it's been: chicken, beef round steak, rice, carrots, green beans and homemade peanut butter dog cookies made from wheat flour, corn meal, oats.
Think I should just stick to what I'm doing for a little while longer or start changing things up to see if that makes for firmer stools?
Also, we live in the middle of nowhere and don't have a reliable vet nearby. Does anyone know where I can get a good quality dog multi vitamin on-line?

As always, any advice or input is GREATLY appreciated!!

Tina J.

[Tammy & Gracie]

The yogurt is there for the good bacteria in it, also a little calcium.

I think the rice ratio may be upped a little for firmer stools. Also, the brown as opposed to the white may help some. Also, an addition that can firm up the stool os canned pumpkin. Use a spoon or two, plain, unsweetened
.
A good online sources for all supplements is Natural Pet.

[Tina J.]

Very good. Thanks for the info.

Tina J.

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

Tammy answered most of your question but I think she meant onlynaturalpet.com as the good place to get supplements online and delivered. Sweet Potato is another good carb and stool hardener.

[Tammy & Gracie]

Thanks Lynne. That's the one.

[Tina J.]

Cool. Thanks. I'll go look at onlynaturalpet.com right now.

Funny you guys said pumpkin would be good to help our little problem. I was planning on cooking to pumpkins for the freezer tomorrow. I'll just leave a little our for doggy food.

Thanks again.

Tina J.

[Tammy & Gracie]

Last year during fall when they were cheap I cooked several for Gracie. She loves them!

[Tammy & Gracie]

Follow Lynne. I got books at the library to read as I was starting. Pitcairn's book was very helpful to me in the beginning until I felt comfortable. I use a multivitamin from the vet, a squirt of salmon oil in her food, and simple eggshell powder added if it is a day when I am not giving her a bone. I was afraid and unsure when I started. I just listened to everyone saying that the dogs diet "is balanced over time". Each bowlful may not be exactly balanced but overall it all adds up. Gracie has about 1/2 c kibble in the morning with a little yogurt or cottage cheese and fruit. I feed Gracie (she is 30lbs)about 1 c in the evening of all homecooked. It's about 50-60% protein, 20-25% starch and 20-25% veggie. I also used ingredients simply & sparingly in the early stages, like chicken, rice and green beans and carrots. Each week i added other ingredients watching for any changes in Gracie. We have had no issues. However, I have noticed that Gracie's poops are firmer if her veggies are run through the processor before lightly cooking. It really becomes fun once you are sure of yourself! Gracie is doing extremely well on this diet.

[Lynne B]

I feed Beck a mix of grain free kibble & home cooked. I buy ground chicken and ground turkey at "Grocery Outlet" it is around $1.29 a pound. I lightly brown it with a little olive oil, then add chicken broth, water, rice and vegetables and cook it until the rice is done. I also buy him large marrow bones and when he is done with them I fill them with yogurt and freeze them, he loves those!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Another good book for homecooked recipe ideas is "Pet Food Nation" by Joan Weiskopf. Very slim, simple book that's easy to read & follow.