The Food and Drug Administration has been investigating possible connections between certain pet diets and a heart condition called canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). They recently put out an extremely informative report with detailed information that can help you navigate this increasingly confusing and disturbing problem.
I call this recipe “The Trifecta” – three protein sources offer your dog an excellent range of amino acids. Surround these proteins with vegetables and other healthy ingredients and you have a powerful diet that can help keep your dog healthy and strong.
This is a true story I like to call Boomie’s Turnaround.
Boomie, seen here, is a 10-year old Entlebucher Mountain Dog, loved by Cynthia and Mike from Massachusetts. In early 2019, Cynthia contacted me with concern about Boomie’s health. Recent lab tests, including bloodwork and urine tests, had revealed high levels of protein – Cynthia’s veterinarian became concerned about early stage kidney disease. Cynthia asked me about a recipe to make for Boomie.
When changing diets, how much to feed is often a question for dog parents. Homemade is a different from commercial in seemingly endless ways, including the logistical difference of serving sizes. Commercial food generally has serving suggestions on the label. It is easy to get accustomed to the new feeding guidelines though, and before you know it you will be serving your dog just the right amount of homemade.
Method 1 transitions your dog into healthy ingredients one or two at a time. In step 2 of this method, we are using the same meat and vegetable from step 1, and we are adding sardine. Method 2, coming soon, transitions your dog using a full recipe, but adds a small bit at a time. Check back soon for that!
Unfortunately, millet is now present in some pet foods – not good news for many reasons. While millet does contain some vitamins, minerals and fiber, it is not beneficial for dogs (and after reading this study, I don’t plan on eating it either).
Figuring out how much homemade dog food to give is one of the most common issues dog parents face when learning how to cook and create healthy recipes. Over the years, I have continued to build upon my nutrition calculator. This members-only resource allows you to enter one, five, ten or more dog-friendly foods to figure out calories, protein, fat and carbs.
This transitional diet is a slow transition to homemade dog food. This slow method helps your dog adjust to new foods. Method 1 transitions your dog into healthy ingredients one or two at a time. In step 1 of this method, we are using just one meat source and one vegetable. Method 2, coming soon, transitions your dog using a full recipe, but adds a small bit at a time. Check back soon for that!
In the past, I’ve offered a couple basic examples of transitional diets and foods. I am now developing more thorough examples and strategies for Dog Food Coach members to use. These transitional steps will help guide your dog slowly and gently into new, healthier foods. My first installment is now available. These are general guidelines and all transitional diets can be customized to your specific situation.
One of my goals in teaching people how to cook for their dogs is to make it simple. One way to do this is to make extra of what you are making for yourself, and then save some for your dog. Of course, this only applies to certain kinds of food. It does not apply to foods that are overly fatty, fried, spicy, sweet or otherwise inappropriate for dogs. It DOES apply to fresh meats, vegetables and other dog friendly ingredients.
April 23, 2019 is Lost Dog Awareness Day, and I am honoring this day with a special discounted membership to DogFoodCoach.com.
Last Sunday, April 14, I was the guest on the “Pet Connections” radio show based out of Minneapolis, MN. Host Cathy Menard interviewed me at length about the benefits of homemade dog food. What a wonderful hour!
