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Homemade Dog Food - Need Freeper recipes

Posted on 10/02/2007 6:51:50 AM PDT by HairOfTheDog

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Thoughts on home-made dog food? I know this came up during the China recalls, and many of you have experiences to share.
1 posted on 10/02/2007 6:51:52 AM PDT by HairOfTheDog
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To: AnAmericanMother; Titan Magroyne; Badeye; apackof2; Joe 6-pack; sinkspur; Shannon; 88keys; ...
Ping!


Other articles with keyword "DOGGIEPING" since 12/29/04

2 posted on 10/02/2007 6:53:27 AM PDT by HairOfTheDog
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To: HairOfTheDog

Bookmarking - I’d like some recipes too.


3 posted on 10/02/2007 6:56:55 AM PDT by 2nd amendment mama ( www.2asisters.org | Self defense is a basic human right!)
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To: HairOfTheDog

Why worry yourself over making it “dog food”? Just cook up whatever you wish of “people food” and give it to them. Sure, start with one ingredient and add others until you find the problem.

On the other hand, you might want to check if they are itching because of bug bites or poison ivy. We’ve had a very wet summer and the mesquitoes are worse than they’ve ever been. We also have many more other bugs this year too. Surprisingly, not fleas. You might also check your yard to make sure they aren’t getting into some sort of poisonous plant that they’re allergic to. There are other things than food that will make them itch, perhaps even the shampoo you’re using on them.


4 posted on 10/02/2007 6:57:52 AM PDT by mtbopfuyn (I think the border is kind of an artificial barrier - San Antonio councilwoman Patti Radle)
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To: HairOfTheDog

Get Dr Ian Billinghurst’s books. They are a good primer on fresh food for dogs or cats, for that matter. Here’s a link to a list of books you might try:

http://www.dogwise.com/Browse/SubCatList.cfm?SubCat=Natural%20Health%20and%20Nutrition


5 posted on 10/02/2007 6:58:55 AM PDT by Darnright
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To: HairOfTheDog
Subscribe to the Whole Dog Journal. An online scrip entitles you to back issues, and you can search for food articles. They also have an annual dog food review. You can subscribe on line and get the print edition by mail as part of the deal. It's already pre-punched for a looseleaf notebook.

My vet recommended this newsletter, and I've been very pleased with it. It deals with other issues such as training, activities, etc., but there's always an article or two about BARF diet, making foods at home, etc. Lots of recipes and stuff.

6 posted on 10/02/2007 7:02:49 AM PDT by AnAmericanMother ((Ministrix of Ye Chase, TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary (recess appointment)))
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To: HairOfTheDog
I can’t advise you on food allergies but I would recommend looking at your dogs’ environment.

Do you wash your dogs bedding frequently? If so try a fragrance free detergent and softener.

Do you use insecticides or herbicides around your home? If so try to not use it around your dogs’ bedding and keep your dog away from those areas.

If you have purebreds contact breeders of those dogs to see if there are specific allergies common for the breed.

7 posted on 10/02/2007 7:03:52 AM PDT by Pontiac (Patriotism is the natural consequence of having a free mind in a free society.)
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To: HairOfTheDog
Good idea. We have one itchy dog out of 4 and I have them all on a very expensive dry food that has no corn, in case that is the problem. We go to the doggie allergist and she gets 2 injections of antigens a week just so that we can live with her but she still itches.

I would also like a recipe for dog treats if anyone has one.

8 posted on 10/02/2007 7:04:48 AM PDT by Ditter
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To: mtbopfuyn
We have fed Bernie as a member of the family since birth. Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
9 posted on 10/02/2007 7:08:30 AM PDT by davidlachnicht ("IF WE'RE ALL TO BE TARGETS, THEN WE ALL MUST BE SOLDIERS.")
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To: HairOfTheDog

Forget playing with homemade stuff now. You may need to find out the essentials. Waste of time and effort if the problem is the type of proteins you’re getting.

My dog is majorly allergic, including foods. She is VEGETARIAN, because she is allergic to ANIMAL PROTEIN, period. She is a case where simply changing from processed dry to homemade beef or lamb would NOT help (in fact, probably make it worse).

Even if dogs aren’t allergic to all animal protein, they can be allergic to specific types. That is why there is not only “lamb” available, but duck, venison, etc.

We tried these, too, after seeing Tara get better on vegetarian, 1st. Unfortunately, she got worse again so is sticking to vegetarian. But some dogs should be fine with certain particular animal proteins.

Another possibility is that many dogs suffer a bit from corn allergy - and many processed foods employ corn meal. Ensure you go away from corn meal - there ARE processed foods (such as mine) that don’t use corn at all.

My vet brand is IVD - currently owned by Royal Canin. Unfortunately, you can only get it through certain vets, or order it from Canada.

BTW, my dog LOVES the IVD vegetarian; once had to try her on Natural Recipe veg because IVD ran out, and she didn’t like it much (smelled like clay to me). But she’d eat IVD right up.


10 posted on 10/02/2007 7:11:00 AM PDT by the OlLine Rebel (Common sense is an uncommon virtue.)
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To: HairOfTheDog

When I adopted an Australian Cattle Dog several years ago it seemed that he would never stop itching. He had no fleas, but the vet said he had dry skin and recommended a fish oil tablet. Worked like a charm.

I’ve since switched him to Eukanuba adult lamb and rice which has oil in it and he seems to be doing well on that without the tablets.

Good luck!


11 posted on 10/02/2007 7:13:09 AM PDT by Vermonter
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To: mtbopfuyn

Well, what we’re eating isn’t always appropriate for dogs. For breakfast we usually have cereal and toast. I’m not sure that’s a workable plan for three large dogs.

I don’t think it’s bugs, I don’t think it’s contact allergies. It’s licking and localized itching mostly on the spine and base of tail. The vet advises that Thyroid issues can do this, and one dog is on a thyroid med, but that’s not the case with the other one. I do think it’s a food allergy, the vet advises too that it’s probably a food allergy. They actually seem to finish eating and immediately want to lick and scratch. It’s driving us nuts.


12 posted on 10/02/2007 7:13:43 AM PDT by HairOfTheDog
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To: mtbopfuyn

I would agree it’s not necessarily food. In fact, food allergies are a small % of all the allergies dogs suffer. About 10%.

Perhaps they’ve gained some inhalent allergies - atopic dermatitis.

My dog is allergic to numerous inhalents - dust, molds, ants, moths, etc. You name it, she has it (except most “outdoor” type allergens, thank God at least). Inhalents are the most common allergens for dogs and cats.


13 posted on 10/02/2007 7:15:08 AM PDT by the OlLine Rebel (Common sense is an uncommon virtue.)
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To: HairOfTheDog
Well, I understand the high price of beef but I still don’t approve of what you are doing. Nevertheless, first you have to fillet the dog. This can be difficult since dogs don’t like having this done and they have sharp teeth.
14 posted on 10/02/2007 7:15:10 AM PDT by Colorado Doug (Now I know how the Indians felt to be sold out for a few beads and trinkets)
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To: Colorado Doug

;-D


15 posted on 10/02/2007 7:15:57 AM PDT by the OlLine Rebel (Common sense is an uncommon virtue.)
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To: HairOfTheDog
I'm not sure if this is the case with your fur babies, but I can offer the following insight regarding some dog skin afflictions. German Shepherds, and a few other breeds, for some reason, tend to a very alkaline skin environment, which is more conducive to the growth of troublesome microbes. At bath time, I add about 1/2 cup of lemon juice or vinegar to each 2 gallons of water. It not only helps lower the ph of their skin and fur, but it also makes them smell fresh and clean, and they don't seem to mind it whatsoever. Although my younger guy has never really had problems with his skin, my older guy (who passed away in July) had some real problems with allergies years back when we moved from Pennsylvania to Louisiana.

Oily, fatty foods seemed to give him a good deal of relief. When I would open a can of tuna, I'd drain the packing water or oil on their dry food, and perhaps weekly I'd cook them up an egg and cheese omelet. At the vet's recommendation, a little Benadryl helped when the allergies got real bad.

Another daily treat my boys are fond of is a large milk bone, wrapped with a slice of American Cheese (I mold it around the bone like clay) and then wrap that with a slice of bologna, or ham or turky. I suspect it somewhat primally replicates the texture of chomping on skin, flesh and bone, and they really seem to enjoy it.

16 posted on 10/02/2007 7:16:11 AM PDT by Joe 6-pack (Que me amat, amet et canem meum)
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To: HairOfTheDog
Get a blender.

Set it to puree.

Insert one former Atlanta Falcons Quarterback.

17 posted on 10/02/2007 7:17:00 AM PDT by N. Theknow (Kennedys: Can't drive, can't fly, can't ski, can't skipper a boat; but they know what's best for us)
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To: Colorado Doug

Oh! You meant food FOR your dog. Nevermind . . .


18 posted on 10/02/2007 7:17:13 AM PDT by Colorado Doug (Now I know how the Indians felt to be sold out for a few beads and trinkets)
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To: HairOfTheDog

Anal area - sign of any allergy such as inhalent or food. Food is rarer.

Look next for muzzle area and ears, and the feet.


19 posted on 10/02/2007 7:18:23 AM PDT by the OlLine Rebel (Common sense is an uncommon virtue.)
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To: the OlLine Rebel
My dog is majorly allergic, including foods. She is VEGETARIAN, because she is allergic to ANIMAL PROTEIN, period. She is a case where simply changing from processed dry to homemade beef or lamb would NOT help (in fact, probably make it worse). Even if dogs aren’t allergic to all animal protein, they can be allergic to specific types. That is why there is not only “lamb” available, but duck, venison, etc.

We've seen all the "duck and potato" foods but I feel like in trying other foods we're just changing too many variables with each test. We'll never figure out which thing it is or was. That's why we wanted to get down the the simplest diet and see, whether it's rice and beef, chicken, turkey, eggs, whatever. And then add to that one thing at a time. I want to be rid of the ingredient lists full of who knows what additive.

20 posted on 10/02/2007 7:19:06 AM PDT by HairOfTheDog
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