Dinner time food

[Judie, Baxter & Vinnie]

Hi everyone, Baxter and I are new your Doodle Kisses and I have a question regarding home cooked meals.  Baxter has been on a diet of lean beef or turkey with lots of veggies.  To bind the food I use oatmeal or brown rice.  I prepare about two weeks of food at at time and freeze it.  I have read a few great recipes here in this group some that have used dairy, cottage cheese, etc.  Has anyone varied the meals from week to week without a "tummy" problem for their pup?  Thank you

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

I have been varying for 3 years and it seems that once their systems get used to different foods, they are fine. I not only vary my homecooking ingredients with every batch, but I also change kibbles every order. If I notice a little looser stool, I add more brown rice the next day.

As far as the dairy, you can add that on a day to day basis. One day cottage cheese and another yogurt. Like I said, once they are used to the frequent changes, they tolerate it fine.

I have not had a problem with even quick changes, either. When I have a new foster dog, I know they may have been eating crap in the shelter, but I don't transition slowly. They go right onto homecooking, but I add more rice or sweet potato or oatmeal in the beginning. I tend to believe that they are better off on the good food and I don't know what they were eating in many cases. Like many myths of feeding our dogs, changing slowly may be another one.

[Judie, Baxter & Vinnie]

Thanks Lynne, I really appreciate your information.  This is the first time I have cooked for a pet but with all of the recalls on pet foods I was truly scared.  At least I know he is getting the good stuff!  I have been changing meat to poultry every two weeks, but never added dairy so I will try it.  Baxter is just turning 7 months old and weighs about 50 pounds.  I typically give him 1- 1/2 cups twice a day.  

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

I started after loosing a beautiful Std Poodle to the Recalls of 2007. I have been homecooking ever since. I still use a high quality protein only kibble to supplement my home cooking because I usually have many mouths to feed around here. But the book that helped get me started is Pitcairn's, "Complete Guide to Natural Health." There are also many resources online. When I started, it was hard to find resources to homecooking dogfood, but the more I read, the better I felt and the more of those myths I was able to dispel.

Fish is a good protein to add to your rotation, too. I shop at Costco and have been able to see that in the long run, homecooking is cheaper than dogfood. You can add some raw, frozen marrow bones to Baxter's diet here and there. They are good for keeping his teeth clean and if he is teething, they are a life saver. You can usually find them in the supermarket pretty cheap.

Once you have been homecooking for awhile, it becomes old hat and you will be able to do it without thinking about it.

[Judie, Baxter & Vinnie]

Lynne, I'm so sorry for your loss, that must have been devastating.  You have given me such great information and I truly appreciate it.  Baxter does get a marrow bone about once every week or so. I have always purchased them from Pet Food Express, I will now try my local market.

[Tammy & Gracie]

I also vary Gracie's food daily.  She eats 1/3 protein, 1/4-1/3 grain/starch, the rest veggies.  I vary everything using many different veggies. She eats beef, pork, fish, chicken, turkey, whatever.  The grains (starch) are most often sweet potato but sometimes brown rice, barley or oatmeal.  I often include fruit as well.  However, with your pup being so young be sure to add a multivitimin since he is still growing.

[Judie, Baxter & Vinnie]

Tammy, thanks to you for your information.  I guess I never really thought about using the other meats and fish.  Next week cooking will include some new foods for him.  I haven't been giving him a multivitamin but that's next on my list.