Do you really know what's in today's dog food? You're sure to know all the ingredients when you learn to make the food yourself.
Items often used for homemade dog food are left over scraps of meat or bone, scrambled eggs, milk and leftover vegetables. These can be stirred up in various combinations, then frozen or stored until the next day. Other possible ingredients include rice, pasta and nuts. In many instances, you can make your own recipes easily by just thinking about how you would like a stew to look or how you would create a meal for your own family. You might want to start out experimenting on your own, or search library books or online resources to find specific recipes.
Try mixing together such leftover items as a couple of cups of macaroni, the same proportion of mixed vegetables, a pound of beef or chicken, 3 cups of water and one to two tablespoons of corn starch for thickening. First you'll need to boil the meat, and then separate it from the broth. Prepare noodles and vegetables as you would for your own consumption, then drain off water. Dissolve the corn starch in a quarter cup of cold water, then add meat, veggies, pasta, broth, 2 tablespoons of olive oil and a clove or two of pressed garlic. Bring to a boil, then stir in corn starch and water mixture. Turn the burner down on low and let simmer until mixture starts to thicken. After it is the desired consistency and has cooled considerably, scoop out with a cup into freezer bags. Thaw the concoction the night before the intended feeding.
For a quick puppy snack or treat, pour a pound of chicken livers along with a cup of liquid into a blender and blend until it is completely liquefied. Add one egg and blend a minute longer. Pour into a medium sized bowl and add a cup each of corn meal and flour, along with a tablespoon of garlic powder. Spray baking pan with a no-stick spray and bake for 15 minutes at 400 degrees. After cooling, but while still warm, cut into small shapes and freeze until ready for consumption.
Another great meal for a dog is an omelet. Heat a medium sized pan with a small amount of olive oil. Whip together an egg and 2 tablespoons of instant or mashed potatoes. Spread in pan. Layer with a half cup of cooked veggies and a half cup of diced turkey or chicken. Cover and simmer until egg cooks and the mixture is warm. Sprinkle a quarter cup of cheese on top, then cook a few more minutes until cheese is melted and egg is golden brown. Let cool, then cut into slices. Store in refrigerator until usage. Ideas for creating recipes are hamburgers and meatball meals, vegetable stews, canine cookies or bacon and cheese recipes. A basic rule of thumb when making your own dog food is to prepare foods which look and smell good enough for you to eat, trying to include as much protein as possible. Keep homemade foods from spoiling by storing in the refrigerator or freezer until needed. And for future reference, keep a doggy cookbook so you can recreate your pet's favorite dishes.
