Chapter Four:

Canine Dietary Needs

While avoiding unwanted weight gain is vitally important to your pet’s health, his diet and nutrition is about more than just maintaining a healthy weight. It takes a healthy, high quality diet for your dog to maintain a good coat, healthy skin, and strong muscles. Proper diet also changes as your pet moves from youth to senior adulthood and you should keep their changing nutritional needs in mind as you pick dog food and treats. This chapter contains information and recommendations in regards to diet, food selection and feeding strategies to help you ensure your dog is well fed for his entire life.

Dog’s Nutritional Needs

Traditional scientific evidence taught us that dogs descended from wolves and domestication began several thousand years ago. However, a study published in 2014 suggests that dogs and wolves share a common ancestor (Griffiths 2014).

These revelations tell us that the bond between man and dog could have begun when humans were primarily hunter-gatherers. What we know of wolves today is that they are carnivores that eat every bit of their prey (flesh, bones and organs); perhaps early dogs were carnivores as well. However, today, dogs have turned into omnivores who can get nutrition from a wide range of foods (Nestle 2010).

Dogs need a wider dietary selection than just meat. In the 1970’s, the National Research Council (NRC) issued reports that actually warned against a high protein diet for dogs. “Difficulties associated with high protein diets have become more commonplace since the introduction of dog foods composed almost entirely of meat and meat by-products… Optimal levels of dietary proteins for some physiological states of the dog are not completely defined, but it is clear that diets containing as much as twice the minimum required amount of protein can have serious consequences, irrespective of vitamin and mineral supplementation, if fed over long periods…. Diets high in protein contribute to renal disease… There is no evidence proving that animal protein is an essential constituent of a dog’s diet” (Nestle 2010).

It is important to note the difference between canine and feline dietary needs because what is good for one can actually be harmful for the other. Therefore, ensuring proper nutrition for both animals in a blended home means not allowing them to eat each other’s food. Read on to understand how commercial dog food has evolved over the years and what some of the terms used to promote dog food actually means.

The Dog Food Industry

A brief history of dog food shows that early manufactured canine treats such as the first Milk-Bone products did little to meet dog’s complete nutritional needs. In the early 20th century, people were hesitant to spend money on food for dogs when they were concerned with feeding their own children. Fast forward a century or so and pet food has become a multibillion-dollar industry. Despite the amount of money dog food companies make — or perhaps because of it — manufactured dog food has undergone a series of recalls in the last few years that make consumers unsure of which brands to buy.

Figuring out the difference between any of the dozens of dog foods that you can purchase at your local supermarket — from premium to inexpensive brands — requires some understanding of what the terms on the labels mean and what ingredients go into manufactured dog food. In this section of the book, I strive to enlighten you in this area and help you understand when the high-end dog food is worth the investment and when the price is just a matter of marketing.

Manufactured food ingredients

The most important source of calories and nutrients in pet food are real foods — the ones that you can easily recognize by their name — which include: meat, poultry, fish, grains, vegetables, and fruit. Some of these things mean exactly what you think they do, while others might need a closer examination of what it takes to comply with the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) standards. Consider the following:

Animal based ingredients

AAFCO’s standards specify foods that are — and are not — permitted in food for farm animals or pets. Animal-based ingredients are classified as either fresh or rendered. Fresh is a reference to animal parts that are used just as they are, while rendered means cooked and processed into meals.

For meat to be considered flesh it must be the clean flesh derived from slaughtered mammals (which might include fat, skin, sinew, nerve and vessels that accompany the flesh). Fresh poultry is the clean combination of flesh and skin derived from parts or whole carcasses of poultry (which excludes feathers, heads, feet, and entrails).

If the meat or poultry in the food comes from a single source, it can be named after that source (lamb, beef, chicken, turkey, etc…). Animal liver must be named in correspondence to the animal it came from (for example — chicken liver) (Nestle 2010).

“Meat meal” is a rendered product from mammal tissues, which does not include blood, hair, hoof, horn, or stomach contents. The downside of this ingredient is that it is not always clear which animals go into the making of rendered meat meal. If you want to know exactly what type of meat your pets are eating, you might want to avoid food with this listed as an ingredient.

“Fish meal” is the clean, dried, ground tissue of un-decomposed whole fish or fish cuttings. It is usually taken from fish that are farmed specifically for the purpose of making pet food.

Animal by-products

According to the AAFCO, meat by-products are the non-rendered clean parts, other than meat that come from slaughtered animals. Examples include lungs, spleen, kidneys, brain, livers, fatty tissue, and stomachs/intestine. It does not include hair, horns, teeth, or hoofs. The definition of poultry by-products includes heads, feet, and viscera.

Animal fat, another common ingredient in pet food, refers to the tissues of mammals or poultry that comes from rendering or extracting.

Grains and grain meals

Many pet foods include several types of grain ingredients, including corn, rice, and wheat. Surprisingly, corn gluten meal is a frequent source of protein in pet foods. It is made by removing the germ and bran and repeatedly washing away the starch (Nestle 2010).

Salt

The amount of salt in pet foods varies and too much sodium can have the same effect on animals as it does on people, raising the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease. If your dog needs to be on a low-sodium diet, you may need to pay special attention to dog food labels.

Terminology used on dog food labels

Dog food is regulated by overseeing bodies such as the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) which requires companies to provide ingredient labeling on manufactured food. However, it is important to understand what the rules of labeling mean when it comes to ingredients. For example, a can of dog food can list “beef” as an ingredient in several different ways and they all mean different things. Review this section to gain a greater level of understanding on how to interpret the listings on your dog’s food label.

What does “Beef” really mean?

You know you should look for dog foods with ingredients that you can easily recognize (chicken, beef, corn, wheat, etc…). However, just seeing an ingredient such as “beef” listed on the label is not sufficient information to know what percent of the food that ingredient represents. Depending on the phrasing used on the label, a “beef” dog food can be mostly beef or hardly any beef at all.

If a food is labeled “beef” than it must be 95 percent beef. However, if a product is labeled “beef dinner for dogs” or “beef formula for dogs,” than it is only required to contain 25 percent beef. Finally, if it labeled as “dog food with beef,” it only has to contain 3 percent beef. Shopping for food with the correct wording on your label is essential to understanding dog food.

“Natural” dog food

The official AAFCO definition of “natural” dog food is “feed or ingredient derived solely from plant, animal, or mined sources, either in its unprocessed state or having been subject to physical processing, heat processing, rendering, purification, extraction, hydrolysis, enzymolysis, or fermentation, but not having been produced by or subject to a chemically synthetic process and not containing any additives or processing aids that are chemically synthetic except in amounts as may occur unavoidably in good manufacturing processes (Nestle 2010).”

If you found that completely unhelpful, perhaps the most important thing to understand is that use of the term “natural” is false or misleading if any chemically synthesized ingredient is present in the product with the exception of synthetic vitamins and mineral additives (www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition). So, basically if your dog food is labeled “natural” it should be chemical or hormone-free, but not necessarily comprised of ingredients that are completely unaffected by man. Remember the terms “natural” and “organic” are not interchangeable.

“Organic” dog food

The organic label is defined as a “formula feed or a specific ingredient within a formula feed that has been produced and handled in compliance with the requirement of the USDA National Organic Program” (Nestle 2010).

To clarify what that means, there are a few categories for USDA-Certified Organic Foods. The exact phrasing means several different things; in other words, not all “organic” foods are created equally.

“100 percent organic” means that the product must contain 100 percent organic ingredients and it can display the Certified Organic seal on the front of the package.

“Organic” means that the product must contain at least 95 percent organic ingredients in order to display the Certified Organic seal on the front of the packaging.

“Made with organic ingredients” pertains to foods that are 70 to 94 percent organic. The product can list up to three organic ingredients on the front of the package, but cannot display the organic seal anywhere on the label.

“Less than 70 percent organic” categorization still permits products to list organic ingredients on the information panel, but prohibits the use of the word organic on the front of the package.

To read more about the National Organic Program, visit www.ams.usda.gov/nop.

Clinically Proven

Many dog foods make claims on their packaging — some even touting (or at least implying) that their food can extend a dog’s average life or improve the intelligence of puppies. Dog foods will often do this by quoting studies that they paid to have completed.

The significant thing to note when it comes to dog food claims is the difference between quoting studies and using the phrase “clinically proven.” By law, when a company using the phrase clinically proven on a package or pet food label, it means that any claim the company is making in regards to the food must be supported by at least two clinical studies. For example, Science Diet dry pet foods contain “clinically proven” antioxidants (www.hillspet.com).

Manufactured food options

There is a wide-range of manufactured food options from which dog owners can choose. These span from the standard dog kibble to organic or grain free recipes. Read on for more information to help you select the food option that is best for your pet.

Dry food

Dry dog food actually contains 10 to 12 percent water and includes baked biscuits, ground meal, pellets, and kibble. Biscuits are generally baked while the other dry foods are prepared through extrusion where ingredients are mixed to their correct consistency and then forced through shaping dies. During preconditioning, high moisture ingredients such as chicken are included and then the moisture is removed later. As the dog food is exposed to heat and pressure, contaminates are killed and starches are gelatinized so that they are easier to digest. The food is then sprayed with additional fat, protein digests, flavor additives, and antioxidants before another round of drying (Nestle 2010).

Semi-moist food

Semi-moist dog food can be described as tubes of soft, sliceable pet food. These foods are made in a similar manner as dry dog food, but because they have higher levels of moisture, they are more susceptible to microbial contamination. As a result, this type of food needs high levels of preservatives.

To keep the moisture evenly distributed, the food also contains sugary substances such as glycerin or high fructose corn syrup. It is important to note that some dog foods use propylene glycol as a moisturizer, which is fine for dogs, but the product is toxic to cats (another thing to look for if you are feeding dogs and cats at the same time) (Nestle 2010).

Wet food

Wet dog food is sold in sealed cans or pouches and follows standard food canning practices. The process of canning dog food requires combining ingredients in the right proportions while ensuring sterilization of the final product so it does not spoil or make your pet sick. Canned dog food often includes low-grade meat trimmings and sometimes meat chunks; either way, it is required to meet the AAFCO nutrient profiles. At times, the canning process reduces vitamins and nutrients, so your dog may need additional supplements if you only feed him wet food (Nestle 2010).

Grain-free dog food

Grain-free dog foods are becoming increasingly popular in the US, with advocates arguing that these recipes more closely resemble a dog’s natural, ancestral diet. These foods tend to contain higher levels of meat protein and are easily digested animal fats. Of course, they also contain fewer carbohydrates, which dogs convert into energy, but if your dog is struggling with his weight, this might be helpful.

If you decide to try a grain-free diet, you should fully understand which benefit claims are well-researched and proven and which ones are not. The first thing you should consider is that the increases in allergies that have been noted in dogs are not necessarily best blamed on grains. Dr. Stephen White, Professor of Veterinary Medicine at University of California claims that cereal grains are not the only source for dog allergies, but that the most common sources come from “beef, chicken, milk, eggs, corn, wheat and soy” (White 2001). Therefore, the reality seems to be that protein and grains can both cause problems for canines.

Scientific evidence also does not prove that grains are necessarily more difficult to digest, either — as long as they are properly cooked. Furthermore, because the process used to make kibble requires a notable amount of carbohydrates (used as a binder to hold things together), grain-free dog foods still use vegetables like potatoes and legumes in their recipes.

The website www.dogfoodadvisor.com contains a lengthy list of top rated grain-free canned and dry foods for you to consider.

Premium dog foods

With food being such an important aspect of your dog’s health, pet owners will often consider paying more to ensure their dogs are getting higher quality food. However, it is important to remember that “premium” has no legal definition in terms of nutritional quality. According to the website consumerreports.org, pet foods might be similar in nutritional content, but vary drastically when it comes to price.

In 2010, Marion Nestle, a professor at New York University, and Malden C. Nesheim, a professor at Cornell University did a study on the pet food industry and published their findings in Feed Your Pet Right: The Authoritative Guide to Feeding Your Dog and Cat. When carefully examined, they found that while premium pet foods often cost three- to four-times more than supermarket brands, comparing ingredients showed strong similarities (since all brands have to meet certain nutritional standards).

The researchers compared ten chicken dinners for dogs and found that they basically contained the same ingredients. Drs. Nestle and Nesheim concluded that the most important thing to look for on a label is “complete and balanced” which indicates that the product meets the nutritional requirements set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (Brody 2010).

Paying more money for a trait you value such as “organic” dog food might be worth it, but remember that if you comparison shop, you might be able to find the dog food you want at a non-premium price.

Feeding Your Puppy

Puppies grow fast and have huge appetites so it is important to make sure they have the correct nutrition to support the building of strong bones and teeth, adding muscle, and supplying the energy they need for their hyper and excited little lives.

Young canines start solid food at about four weeks and most puppies are weaned from their mothers by six weeks. However, if you have a puppy in your life that is younger than eight weeks, you might need to moisten dry food for them with a bit of water (http://pets.webmd.com).

Since puppies require more protein, calories, and other nutrients than adult dogs to support their rapid growth, food labeled specifically for puppies should be different than regular dog food. Newborn puppies require twice as many calories per pound of body weight as adult dogs (Nestle 2010). Therefore, puppy food might contain higher levels of protein and fat to increase the calorie count for young dogs.

Puppies will likely need to eat three times a day up until they reach six months and then after that, you can switch to a twice-a-day feeding schedule. According to http://pets.webmd.com, puppies can consume as much as twice the amount of food as when they reach adulthood. The site recommends that you look for feeding charts on the commercial puppy labels to try to figure out the right amount of food for a young dog of a particular breed. The ASPCA recommends that food fed to puppies be 25 percent to 30 percent protein.

 

Feeding schedules can actually differ depending on the size of your dog. According to the ASPCA, small breed dogs (defined as those that weigh 20 pounds or less at maturity) take a bit longer to reach full body weight (ranging from nine months to one year) and their food can be left out, which gives them the option of eating whenever they choose.

However, in order to control obesity and the damage that can impact the joints of large dogs if they are overweight, the ASPCS recommends that mid-sized and large breed puppies are fed with portion-control methods. They state that while genetics determine canine maturity, it is important to aim for a slower growth rate for large and giant breed puppies so that bones and muscles can grow strong enough to support the weight the puppy is packing on as he grows.

The ASPCS suggests that treats never exceed 5 percent of your puppy’s nutrient intake — make sure you don’t overdo it.

Feeding Your Adult Dog

The amount you feed your adult dog should be based on her size and energy exertion level. Overfeeding a dog — at mealtime or with treats — is definitely not good for them, but you do not want to underfeed them either. The first step in determining how you are doing in this department is to consult your veterinarian in regard to your dog’s weight and feeding times.

One of the things the ASPCA recommends strongly in terms of dog feeding and treats is to make sure that you do not use treats to show your dog love. You can certainly enjoy giving him a treat as a reward for good behavior, but even then, it is recommended that you break the treats up so you can use more pieces to get the desired results.

The ASPCA notes that working dogs such as canines who serve as police dogs, guide dogs, or cattle dogs will need more food because they expend more energy throughout their day. They suggest two meals a day for most dogs with the appropriate serving sizes.

Dry vs. wet food

If you are unsure if you want to feed your dog canned or kibble dog food, you could check with your veterinarian to gain his/her opinion on what is best for your particular dog. However, your food of choice might come down to whichever your dog prefers. If your dog will eat canned dog food but not kibble, you do not have to feel as if you are making an unhealthy choice.

In fact, canned dog food has a few advantages over dry kibble. For example, canned dog foods do not contain synthetic preservatives or artificial flavorings/colorings. Many dogs seem to think that canned products are more palatable or appetizing, and canned food contains higher meat protein and natural fats.

It is often reported that dry kibble is better for your dog’s teeth, but that is no longer widely accepted by all dog experts. Senior dogs in particular that have dental issues might find it easier to consume canned dog food over dry kibble (www.dogfoodadvisor.com).

The advantage of dry food includes being able to leave it out for dogs to eat at their leisure; canned food cannot be left out or it will become contaminated. Furthermore, even when refrigerated, canned dog food must be discarded after a couple of days.

Many dog owners will combine wet and dry food (a feeding method called “topping”) to lower their costs (the advantage of kibble) while still enhancing taste (the advantage of canned food).

Processed vs. raw food

Dr. Ian Billinghurst is recognized as the first contemporary canine expert to promote a raw diet for canines. He created a raw food diet that has come to be known as the Bones and Raw Food or Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (BARF) diet. This diet emphasizes bones, meat, offal (which includes liver, kidneys, heart, tripe, and stomach lining), and several raw vegetables. Dr. Billinghurst classifies these ingredients as highly nutritious and essential to helping your dog obtain the proper variety of vitamins and minerals from their food. Additional ingredients include fruit, whole eggs, flax seed, garlic, kelp, alfalfa, and some supplements. This diet omits any use of grains, an ingredient that is common in other dog food regimens (Cooper 2012).

Dr. Billinghurst argues that the raw diet is closest to a dog’s natural diet and is therefore healthiest for our canine pets. This is partly because meats, vegetables, and other ingredients lose some of their nutrients through the cooking process, but arguments against a raw diet would point out that many parasites would burn off as well. More information about Dr. Billinghurst’s diet can be found on his website: www.barfworld.com.

An alternative raw diet was developed by Dr. Richard Pitcairn. He advocates a menu for canines that includes meats, whole grains, and fresh vegetables. Dr. Pitcairn does not advocate eliminating whole grains because they equal carbohydrates, which provide dogs energy. Other proponents of a raw diet argue against grains due to a trend that shows dog allergy to corn and wheat on the rise.

Dr. Pitcairn’s raw diet also includes a variety of supplements similar to the BARF diet. In his book, “Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats,” he provides several recipes that he says should be followed exactly, including calcium supplements where indicated. Dr. Pitcairn recommends using organic and minimally processed foods when possible, but does advise switching your dog’s diet from commercial to homemade/raw food slowly to give him time to adjust (Cooper 2012).

Despite the fact that raw food is becoming increasingly popular in today’s market, the FDA does not particularly endorse raw diets for pets. According to their official stance, the FDA “does not believe raw meat foods for animals are consistent with the goal of protecting the public from significant health risks.” The FDA reports not being aware of scientific evidence that support claims that raw meat foods are superior with respect to nutritional elements over other products (Nestle 2010).

The FDA’s concern is microbial hazards, since there is no cooking process to rid the food of contaminants. For pet owners who do decide to feed their pets a raw diet, the FDA recommends the following for handling raw pet food:

• Using hot soapy water, wash hands, surfaces, utensils, and other items used to store, prepare, or serve the meat
• Keep raw meat and poultry products frozen until you are going to use, and then thaw in the refrigerator or microwave
• Do not cross contaminate raw food products
• Cook raw foods to the proper temperature
• Refrigerate left-over food promptly

NOTE: When feeding a pregnant dog, she will need a higher calorie diet than normal. A dog’s pregnancy lasts an average of 63 days. For the first several weeks, a regular adult dog food will suffice, but in later weeks you might want to consider switching her to a high quality puppy food that will contain the proteins and fats she needs in the final weeks of her terms (Sherbo 2013).

Feeding a Geriatric Dog

According to the ASPCA’s website, dogs begin to show visible signs of aging between the ages of 7 and 12. Their metabolism, immune system, and body composition goes through changes as well. As their metabolism slows, you will want to make changes in their diet while also using a thought-out meal plan to minimize health risks. Much like many other issues, designing a diet for your older dog may depend at least somewhat on the size of his or her breed.

Smaller and medium dogs

Smaller and mid-sized breeds tend to live longer and do not experience age-related changes as quickly as larger dogs. The ASPCA recommends switching them to a senior diet after the age of 7 with a strong focus on maintaining health and optimal body weight as well as slowing or preventing chronic disease.

Large and giant breeds

For larger dogs (those weighing between 51 and 90 pounds at maturity) the switch should be made at 6 years old and one year earlier for dogs classified as giants. The goal of their senior diet is the same as the smaller dogs, but there is an added emphasis on controlling weight so you do not overstress the bones and muscles of these large dogs.

Even as your dog consumes fewer calories, some older canines have still been known to put on body fat and lose muscle mass. The ASPCA’s website states that this can happen for several reasons and that keeping food levels at the appropriate level while rich in proteins will help an older dog stay healthy and strong. Dog owners are strongly urged to avoid senior diets that have reduced levels of protein, because a dog’s need for protein does not decrease with age.

Organic Dog Food

High-end, organic dog food options have become widely available in recent years. According to http://petfoodindustry.com, natural pet food brought in over $6 billion in sales in 2014. A Packaged Facts survey from 2014 reports that 64 percent of pet owners believe that high-quality pet food prevents health care issues and 62 percent of pet owners check product labels on the pet food they buy.

Some proponents of organic dog food insist that the healthiest diet for a dog is one that is organic and completely raw, since it most closely resembles what dogs would have eaten in the wild prior to domestication. According to http://organic-pet-digest.com, veterinarians found that this diet bolsters the immune system and keeps dogs healthier than processed or cooked dog food. However, avoiding raw fish and pork is recommended (http://organic-pet-digest.com).

Whether you choose to adhere to a strictly raw diet for your pet or mix in some dry foods, I compiled a list of organic pet food companies that provide a wide range of products below:

Canidae: a family-owned company that produces a grain-free line of dry and canned food for puppies, dogs, kittens, and cats. Their specialty dog lines include ones for weight management, senior dogs, and small breeds.

Nature’s Variety Instinct: They provide products such as Raw Frozen Lamb Chub as well as Raw Frozen Chicken and Beef Medallions. These products are comprised of at least 95 percent meat and are advertised as grain and gluten free.

Newman’s Own Organics: They produce and market grain-free Organic Beef &Liver for dogs in 12-ounce cans. Their products are made with at least 95 percent organic ingredients, including real chunks of beef that are fortified with vitamins and minerals.

Castor & Pollux Organix: They provide a dry food line with a main ingredient of certified organic, free-range chicken. This line avoids the use of corn and wheat, but can include organic soybean.

There are many other companies available for listing and review online. Just remember that you want to make sure the first and primary ingredient (95 percent) for your organic dog food is meat. If you can find a food that does not include any grain or soybeans, those are your best options. Also, make sure your dog food does not include Ethoxyquin, an ingredient that is commonly used for food preservation that can prove harmful to dogs.

Recipes for Homemade Dog Food

If you have the time and want to ensure your dog is receiving the best food possible, you can make it yourself. This does not mean giving your dog table scraps, but rather making special food just for your dog. Carlotta Cooper detailed more than 100 recipes for homemade dog food in her book “Canine Cuisine: 101 Natural Dog Food & Treat Recipes to Make Your Dog Healthy and Happy” (2012). For your consideration and experimentation, I have included several recipes for meals, snacks and special needs diets.

Recipes for meals

In this section, I have included 14 recipes from Carlotta Cooper’s book. This should provide you with enough variety for two weeks of meals, and also give you plenty of options. Also note that several of the recipes can be adjusted to your dog’s taste if you follow the provided recommendations and tips.

Beef and Chicken Meal

Prep time: 20 minutes; makes 12 1-cup servings

Ingredients:

4 lbs. skinless chicken, whole or in pieces

8 oz. beef livers

1 cup grated carrots

2 cups barley

½ cup Cheddar cheese, grated

Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly grease a roasting pan. Roast the chicken until the juices run clear when pierced with a fork or skewer. This usually takes 20 to 30 minutes for breasts or thighs; 45 to 60 minutes for a whole chicken. Allow the chicken to cool. Remove the bones from the chicken and cut the meat into large pieces. Simmer beef livers in a saucepan with a small amount of water for about 20 minutes until they are thoroughly cooked. Allow them to cool. Cook the barley according to the package directions. Cut up the livers and mix all of the ingredients together.

Tips: Beef and chicken are basic ingredients. You can change this recipe in many ways, including substituting turkey for chicken or you can use chicken livers instead of beef livers. You can also substitute a different vegetable if your dog gets tired of carrots. If you use your imagination, this recipe can always stay interesting.

Turkey and Gravy Meal

Prep time: 30 minutes; makes nine 1-cup servings

Ingredients:

3 lbs. turkey pieces

1 cup oatmeal

1 lb. sweet potatoes, cubed

2 Tbsp. cranberry sauce

4 Tbsp. turkey gravy* (see gravy recipe below)

Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly grease a roasting pan. Roast the turkey pieces until the juices run clear when pierced by a fork or skewer. This usually takes 30 to 45 minutes for a boneless breast or thigh; 45 to 60 minutes for a breast or thigh with bone; and one and a half to two hours for an entire turkey, depending on its size. Remove all of the bones from the turkey and cut the meat into large pieces. Save the pan juices to use for making the turkey gravy. Cook raw sweet potatoes with the turkey for 25 to 30 minutes or until soft. Allow to cool, then peel and dice. Cook the oatmeal according to package directions. Mix together the turkey, sweet potatoes, oatmeal and cranberry sauce. Pour the turkey gravy over the mixture.

*Turkey Gravy instructions: Melt a tablespoon of butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add a tablespoon of flour to the butter. Any kind of flour is okay. It is a thickening agent in this case.

Slowly add the pan juices from the roasted turkey pieces and stir them into the flour and butter mixture. You can strain the juices first if there are any larger pieces from the turkey in them. Slowly bring the mixture to a boil while you stir, then remove from heat. You can serve the gravy warm.

Tips: Sweet potatoes are used in this recipe. They are great for dogs and they are one of the most nutritious of vegetables. Many dogs love them. You can substitute them in lots of recipes if your dog likes them. They are easy to cook: you can boil them, roast them, microwave them, mash them, bake them, and generally cook them the same way you would potatoes. Try them for your dog and see how he likes them.

Mackerel Dinner

Prep time: 15 minutes; makes six 1-cup servings

Ingredients:

2 lbs. canned jack mackerel

1 medium sweet potato

1 cup cooked, chopped green beans

2 cups plain, whole milk yogurt

2 Tbsp. fresh dill, chopped

Instructions: Do not drain mackerel; use the oil from the canned mackerel in the meal. Bake the sweet potato at 350 F for about 30 to 45 minutes until soft. Allow to cool. Peel and remove the skin, then cut up into smaller pieces. Mix together the mackerel, the sweet potato and the green beans. Mix the dill with the yogurt and spread on top of the mackerel mixture.

Tips: You can use mackerel fillets for this recipe if you prefer, but be sure to use jack mackerel and not king mackerel because of the mercury content in king mackerel. If you use fresh mackerel you will need to bake it at 350 F for about 15 minutes until it starts to flake easily. Allow it to cool and then carefully remove the bones. You do not need to remove the bones from canned fish because the fish is pressure cooked and they are so soft they will not harm your dog.

Turkey Balls

Prep time: 35 minutes; this recipe makes a varying number of balls depending on how big you make them

Ingredients:

1 ½ cup oat flour

1 ½ cup brown rice flour

1 cup oat bran

1 cup sweet potatoes, mashed

1 cup raw, ground turkey (not turkey sausage)

1 egg

½ cup water

Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 F. Cook the sweet potatoes and mash them. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil for easier cleanup. Combine all of the ingredients together and mix them until they form a dough. Make the dough into small balls (the size of a golf ball) and place them on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 22 to 27 minutes or until the turkey balls begin to turn golden brown. Remove and allow to cool on a wire rack. If you make the turkey balls smaller or larger, you will need to adjust the baking time. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Tips: You can give these turkey balls to your dog as treats or as part of his dinner. Freeze turkey balls and take them with you when you and your dog are traveling. They are easy to thaw in a refrigerator, and you can give your dog as many of them as it takes to feed your dog a meal.

Doggy Meatballs

Prep time: 35 minutes; this recipe makes a varying number of meatballs depending on how big you make them

Ingredients:

2 lbs. ground beef or turkey

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

½ cup oat bran

1 tsp. dried parsley

¼ tsp. garlic powder (optional)

1 egg

Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil for easier cleanup. Combine all of the ingredients together and mix them until they form a dough. Make the dough into small balls (the size of golf balls) and place them on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until the meatballs are browned all over. They should be thoroughly cooked. Remove and allow to cool on a wire rack. If you make the meatballs smaller or larger, you will need to adjust the baking time. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Tips: You can give these meatballs to your dog as treats or as part of his dinner. This recipe will work well with ground lamb or ground pork. You can also try using different grated cheeses.

Chicken and Broccoli

Prep time: 20 minutes; makes ten 1-cup servings

Ingredients:

3 lbs. skinless chicken, whole or in pieces

1 cup (about 6 ounces) barley

4 eggs

2 cups broccoli, puréed

¼ cup chopped peanuts

You can substitute other vegetables if your dog is not fond of broccoli.

Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly grease a roasting pan. Roast the chicken until the juices run clear when pierced with a fork or skewer. This usually takes 20 to 30 minutes for breasts or thighs; 45 to 60 minutes for a whole chicken. Allow the chicken to cool. Cook the barley using the package directions. Remove the bones from the chicken and chop it into large pieces. Lightly beat eggs and pour into a pan; add puréed broccoli. Cook together for about 5 minutes until the egg mixture begins to firm up. Let cool. Stir the egg mixture with the chicken, barley and the peanuts.

Accompaniments: You can add some plain yogurt as a topping to this meal, or sprinkle some alfalfa sprouts on it to add a little extra green to your dog’s diet. Alfalfa sprouts can help your dog get some of the trace minerals he needs in his diet.

Tips: Peanuts are not actually nuts. They are a legume, like peas. They have a high fat content, but they are high in protein, too, as well as antioxidants and vitamin E. If your dog likes nuts, you can use pecans, walnuts, cashews, almonds, or other nuts in this recipe. But do not use macadamia nuts. They are toxic to dogs. If your dog needs to gain weight, or if he is a working dog that uses lots of energy, you can use chicken that still has the skin for this recipe. It will add a few more calories to the dish.

Pork and Beans

Prep time: Five minutes; makes ten 1-cup servings

Ingredients:

3 lbs. pork

1 cup cooked, chopped green beans (or peas)

1 cup grated cheddar cheese

2 cups brown rice

Instructions: Cut the pork meat into large pieces and cook on the stove top over medium heat for about 20 minutes or until the meat is no longer pink and the juices from the meat run clear when tested with a fork or skewer. Cook the brown rice according to the package directions. Take the pork from the pan and add the cheddar cheese. Allow it to cool. Mix the green beans and rice into the pork mixture.

Accompaniments: You can add some fruit to this recipe such as an apple. Apples go great with pork and cheddar cheese.

Tips: You can use just about any kind of pork for this recipe, with the possible exception of spicy or hot sausage. If you use pork chops or a pork cut that contains a bone, remove the bone after cooking and before you give the meat to your dog.

Some owners wonder whether it is okay to give their dog pork to eat. The answer is an emphatic “Yes”! Dogs have no trouble eating and digesting pork. Pork is included in some expensive dog foods, too. Simply follow sensible preparation and cooking guidelines when making pork dishes for your dog.

Chicken and Melon

Prep time: 30 minutes; makes nine 1-cup servings

Ingredients:

3 lbs. skinless chicken, whole or pieces

1 medium sweet potato

8 oz. your dog’s favorite pasta

1 cup cantaloupe (or other melon), cut up

½ cup plain, whole fat yogurt

Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly grease roasting pan. Roast the chicken until the juices run clear when pierced with a fork or skewer. This usually takes 20 to 30 minutes for breasts or thighs; 45 to 60 minutes for a whole chicken. Allow the chicken to cool. Roast the sweet potato with the chicken for about 25 to 30 minutes until soft. Allow the sweet potato to cool, then peel and cut up into smaller pieces. Remove the bones from the chicken and cut the meat into large pieces. Follow the directions on the package when cooking the pasta. Mix the chicken with the sweet potato and pasta, and top off with the cut up melon and yogurt.

Accompaniments: Try adding some blueberries or cranberries to this recipe, or some sliced pears, to make your dog a real fruit cocktail with his dinner. Berries are full of antioxidants, along with vitamin C. Your dog does not need excessive amounts of vitamin C and his body can make its own, but a little extra from fresh berry sources can give his immune system a nice boost.

Tips: You can make your own yogurt at home, if you start with good live active yogurt cultures. You need a candy thermometer to obtain accurate measurements; a large mixing bowl; a whisk for beating; and a sterilized glass container for the yogurt once it is made. It is important to use sterilized utensils and containers. Bacteria can ruin your yogurt and make it taste “off.” You can sterilize your equipment by boiling it on the stove for a minute in a large pot, or by running clean equipment through the rinse cycle on your dishwasher.

You do not need to have a yogurt maker to make yogurt, but you do need a heat source. You can use a thermos, a wood stove, a heating pad, your oven, or even a slow cooker. You will need whole milk and plain yogurt to get started. To make yogurt using your oven, pour a quart of whole milk into a glass casserole dish. Add 3 tablespoons of plain, whole fat yogurt to the milk. The yogurt should state on the side that it contains active yogurt cultures. Stir the yogurt into the milk well and cover the casserole dish. Place the dish in a warm oven (100 F) overnight with the heat turned off. Allow the milk and yogurt mixture to sit overnight. The active yogurt cultures in the yogurt will ferment with the milk overnight. You can allow it to sit in the oven for eight to ten hours. You can refrigerate in the morning.

The temperature must be between 100 and 110 F for the yogurt fermentation to occur so use your thermometer to check the temperature and make sure it is not too hot or too cold.

You can also obtain a yogurt starter culture from a health food store, if you prefer.

NOTE: This recipe calls for whole yogurt instead of low-fat or fat-free yogurt because the good bacteria found in yogurt live in the fat content. The higher the fat content of the yogurt, the more good bacteria it contains.

Liver Lover’s Dinner

Prep time: 20 minutes; makes eight 1-cup servings

Ingredients:

3 lbs. lean ground beef

8 oz. beef livers

1 cup canned pumpkin

1 medium apple, cut up

1 cup cooked, chopped green beans (or peas)

Instructions: Cook ground beef in a pan over medium heat for about 15 minutes until the meat is brown and the juices run clear. Allow the meat to cool. Simmer livers in a saucepan over medium-high heat with a small amount of water to cover them for about 20 minutes until they are cooked all the way through. They should still be tender. Allow them to cool. Cut up the livers into smaller pieces and mix them with the ground beef. Mash up the canned pumpkin and mix it with the apple and green beans then add the vegetable mixture to the beef and liver mixture.

Accompaniments: You can add a little garlic to this beef and liver meal, if you like. Some people swear by garlic. It has been used to keep fleas away, to boost the immune system and even as a wormer for a long time. It is in the same plant family as onion, so some owners are afraid of using it because onion has been linked to autoimmune hemolytic anemia in dogs. It is your call, but a small amount of garlic in your dog’s food once in a while will probably add some extra taste without doing any harm. You can also add blueberries for taste, as seen in the picture at top of this recipe.

Tips: Canned or pureed pumpkin is an old remedy for dogs with digestive problems. If your dog is constipated or has diarrhea, pumpkin can often help. It can bring stools back to the correct consistency. It is even safe enough for puppies to eat. If you are giving your dog pumpkin due to digestive upsets, your dog does not need much. A tablespoon is usually enough for a small to medium dog. Some dogs just love pumpkin though. The next time you have a Halloween pumpkin, do not toss it out the day after Halloween. Instead, you can put it in your oven on a low temperature and bake it for your dog. Cut it up in slices and your dog will enjoy having pieces of it as a snack. You can also scoop out the sides of the pumpkin (not the stringy parts or the seeds) and use them as filling for delicious pies.

When you are buying canned pumpkin in the grocery store, notice that there is a difference between canned pumpkin, the vegetable, and pumpkin pie filling. It is fine to give your dog canned pumpkin. It is not fine to give your dog pumpkin pie filling which contains nutmeg and other spices your dog does not need to eat, at least not in big helpings.

Tuna Casserole

Prep time: 15 minutes; makes eight 1-cup servings

Ingredients:

2 lbs. tuna, canned in oil

2 cups baked potato, cut up

2 Tbsp. olive oil

1 cup grated carrots

4 Tbsp. plain, whole milk yogurt

Instructions: Do not drain tuna; use the oil from the canned tuna in the meal. Preheat oven on 350 F. Prepare a casserole dish. Mix the tuna, oil from the tuna can, the cut-up baked potato, olive oil, and grated carrots together. Spread in a casserole dish and place in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove tuna casserole from oven and allow to cool. Top with yogurt.

Accompaniments: This dish is good with some nuts as a topping. You can use peanuts, almonds, or other nuts your dog likes. No macadamia nuts: they are toxic to dogs.

Tips: You can use fresh tuna for this recipe if you prefer. If you use fresh tuna, bake the fish for 10 to 15 minutes at 350 F until the tuna starts to flake easily. Be sure to remove the bones from the fish before continuing with the recipe. Canned tuna in oil gives good results for the casserole, but do not use canned tuna in water. The fat content in tuna canned in water is too low for most dogs.

When you prepare potatoes for dogs, be sure to inspect them for green spots. Green spots on potatoes are an indication of solanine, a natural toxin that occurs in some foods. Your dogs should not eat potatoes that have green spots. Potatoes are also not recommended for dogs that have arthritis or other joint problems.

Chicken and Cottage Cheese

Prep time: 30 minutes; makes seven 1-cup servings

Ingredients:

2 lbs. chicken, whole or in pieces

¼ lb. beef kidneys

2 eggs

12 oz. of cooked cabbage and zucchini

½ cup cottage cheese

Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly grease roasting pan. Roast the chicken until the juices run clear when pierced with a fork or skewer. This usually takes 20 to 30 minutes for breasts or thighs; 45 to 60 minutes for a whole chicken. Allow the chicken to cool. Remove the bones from the chicken and cut the meat into large pieces. Simmer beef kidneys in a saucepan with a small amount of water for about 20 minutes until they are thoroughly cooked. Allow them to cool. Cut up the kidneys into smaller pieces and mix them with the chicken. Beat the two eggs lightly and pour them in a pan over medium-high heat. Cook for about 5 to 10 minutes until they are no longer runny. Add the cabbage and zucchini mixture to the scrambled eggs. Add the scrambled eggs to the chicken and kidneys. Mix together well. Top with the cottage cheese.

Accompaniments: You can top this dish with some cheddar cheese if you like.

Tips: Many dogs are somewhat lactose intolerant, which is why it is not a good idea to give your dog whole milk. However, most dogs can eat dairy products such as cottage cheese, yogurt and cheddar cheese without any problems as they have less lactose in them than milk. If you notice that your dog has any gastric problems, it could be attributable to the dairy products. You can substitute canned salmon or other fish for the chicken in this recipe, or use turkey, lamb, beef, or ground pork. You can also use other vegetables.

Broccoli and Chicken Balls

Prep time: 35 minutes; this recipe makes a varying number of balls depending on how big you make them

Ingredients:

1 cup oat flour

1 cup brown rice flour

½ cup oat bran

1 cup ground chicken, cooked

1 cup broccoli, puréed

1 egg

½ cup water

Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 F. Puree broccoli in food processor. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil for easier cleanup. Combine all of the ingredients together and mix them until they form a dough. Make the dough into small balls (the size of golf balls) and place them on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 22 to 27 minutes or until the chicken and broccoli balls are browned all over. They should be thoroughly cooked. Remove and cool on a wire rack. If you make the chicken balls smaller or larger, you will need to adjust the baking time. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Accompaniments: You can give these chicken balls to your dog as treats or as part of his dinner. Try adding a little cheddar cheese to the chicken balls as a topping. They go well with the broccoli.

Tips: You can use turkey or other poultry in this recipe. You can also make substitutions for the broccoli and use different vegetables.

Salmon Patties

Prep time: 50 minutes; makes four 1-cup servings

Ingredients:

1 ½ cup tapioca or amaranth flour

8 oz. plain, whole milk yogurt

12 oz. canned salmon

Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 F. Empty salmon and juices into food processor and purée. Line a 9 x 9 inch square pan with aluminum foil for easier cleanup. Combine all of the ingredients together and thoroughly mix. Pour mixture into baking pan. Bake salmon mixture for 30 to 40 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to completely cool on wire rack. Slice with a knife into individual portions. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Accompaniments: These patties are great on their own, but you can also add some vegetables. Purée a cup of spinach and add it as a sauce, for example.

Tip: You can use tuna or jack mackerel instead of salmon in this recipe. The recipes included in this chapter are basic meals for healthy dogs. Many of them can be modified for dogs that have allergies or other health issues by changing the meat or changing or omitting the carbs. All of the recipes presented here are easy to prepare. They do not require a great deal of skill in the kitchen or kitchen gadgets. Try a few recipes and see how your dog likes them.

Chicken Stew

Prep time: 30 minutes; makes six 1-cup servings

Ingredients:

2 lbs. chicken, dark meat with skin, stewed

½ lb. beef liver

6 cups enriched egg noodles

½ cup carrots

¼ cup celery

Instructions: Roast the chicken until the juices run clear when pierced with a fork or skewer. This usually takes 20 to 30 minutes for breasts or thighs; 45 to 60 minutes for a whole chicken.

Add the carrots and the celery to the chicken during the last 20 minutes of cooking. Allow the chicken and vegetables to cool. Remove the bones from the chicken and cut the meat into large pieces.

Simmer beef liver in a saucepan with a small amount of water for about 20 minutes until they are thoroughly cooked. Allow them to cool. Cut up the liver into smaller pieces and mix them with the chicken. Cook the egg noodles according to the package directions. Add the liver to the chicken. Mix well. Add the mixture to the egg noodles. Mix thoroughly.

Accompaniments: You can add a little garlic to this recipe if you like. It is usually safe to add half or one small clove per 20 pounds of your dog’s weight.

Tips: This recipe is basically a stew for dogs, or chicken and dumplings. It is fairly irresistible. The skin adds fat to the recipe and gives it a lot of flavor, but you can cook it without the skin if your dog is watching his weight.

Recipes for snacks

While doggy treats are not a vital part of your canine pal’s dietary needs, they are important in both training activities and in our attempts to show our affection to our pets. Therefore, it is wise to ensure the treats we give our dogs are healthy and nutritious. This section presents a small sample of the snack recipes that Cooper provides in her book. Read on for examples of snacks your dog will enjoy as much as any commercial dog bone.

Turkey Gobble Cookies

Prep time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:

1 cup oat flour

1 cup brown rice flour

1 cup raw ground turkey (not turkey sausage)

1 tsp. garlic powder (optional)

1 egg

¾ cup water

Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 F. Combine all of the ingredients together and mix them until they form a dough. Roll them into small balls and place them on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until cooked completely through. Remove and allow to cool on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Special Liver Treats

Prep time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups tapioca flour (you can substitute amaranth flour if you prefer)

1 lb. beef liver

2 eggs

Instructions: Preheat oven to 300 F. Puree liver in a food processor. Clean up your food processor immediately afterward, as liver will dry and cake on it, and it can be hard to remove it later. Combine all ingredients together and mix completely.

Line a loaf pan with aluminum foil to make for easier cleanup later. Pour the liver mixture into the pan and bake for 30 minutes. Cut the cooked liver into individual portions using a knife. Remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container in the fridge. If you wish, you can leave the pan with the liver in it in the oven for about two more hours after slicing it, with the heat turned down to 150 F. This will make the liver crunchy. Lots of dogs love to eat crunchy liver treats.

Bacon and Liver Cookies

Prep time: 50 minutes

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups oat flour

1 ½ cups brown rice flour

½ lb. beef or chicken livers

6 slices bacon, cooked

1 cup oat bran

1 egg

1 cup water

Instructions: Preheat oven to 375 F. Puree livers in food processor. Grind bacon to fine bits in processor. Cleaning your food processor immediately is recommended, as the liver can harden and be hard to clean later. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil for easier cleanup.

Combine all ingredients and mix together until a dough forms. Roll out onto a lightly floured surface to ¼ inch thickness. Use a cookie cutter or knife to cut into individual pieces. Put cookies on foil-lined cookie sheet and place in oven.

Bake cookies for 22 to 27 minutes or until golden brown. Remove and allow to cool on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container in the fridge. If you would like the cookies to be crispier, you can let them stay in the oven after you turn it off. You can remove them after a couple of hours, then store them in the refrigerator.

Doggy Pâté

Prep time: 55 minutes

Ingredients:

2 cups oat flour

½ cup oat bran

1 lb. beef or chicken livers

2 eggs

1 tsp. garlic powder

Instructions: Preheat oven to 375 F. Puree liver in food processor. Clean processor immediately after use. Liver will cake and harden and be hard to clean off otherwise. Line a 9 by 9 inch pan with aluminum foil to make cleanup easier. Combine all of the ingredients together and mix them thoroughly. Pour liver mixture into square pan and place in oven. Bake mixture 35 to 40 minutes or until the liver seems to be coming away from the sides of the pan. Cool thoroughly in the pan. Slice the liver into individual portions. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Bacon Biscuits

Prep time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

2 eggs beaten

3 Tbsp. molasses

¼ cup vegetable oil

¼ cup milk

1 cup rolled oats

¾ cup wheat germ

¼ cup flour

¼ cup pieces of bacon

Instructions: Mix all ingredients together and drop in teaspoons on a lightly greased sheet. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.

Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Dog Treats

Prep time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:

2 ½ cups whole wheat flour

2 eggs

½ cup canned pumpkin

2 Tbsp. peanut butter

½ tsp. salt

½ tsp. ground cinnamon

Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 F. Whisk together the flour, eggs, pumpkin, peanut butter, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl. Add water as needed to help make the dough workable, but the dough should be dry and stiff. Roll the dough into a ½-inch thick layer and then roll it up like a jelly roll. Cut into ½-inch pieces. Bake in preheated oven until hard, about 40 minutes.

Minty Breath Cookies

Prep time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:

1 cup oat flour

1 cup brown rice flour

3 Tbsp. applesauce

½ cup dried mint

½ cup dried parsley

1 egg

¾ cup water

Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 F. Combine all of the ingredients together and mix them until they form a dough. Roll them into small balls and place them on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove and allow to cool on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Recipes for dogs with special dietary needs

In addition to making sure your dog is receiving healthy, whole, non-processed food, some people might decide to make their own dog food because their canine family member has special dietary needs. Cooper tailored several recipes in her book for dogs with special needs. Consider the following:

Low Protein/Low Fat/Low Phosphorus Cookies

For dogs with kidney disease, pancreatitis, or liver problems, you can try the following cookie recipe because it is low in fat, protein and phosphorus.

Prep time: 30 minutes; makes four 1-cup servings

Ingredients:

2 ½ cups rice flour or white all-purpose bleached flour (these two are lowest in phosphorus, which is best for kidney disease)

½ tsp. garlic powder

6 Tbsp. low sodium, low-fat chicken broth*

½ cup cold water

1 cup cooked vegetables ground up (zucchini and sweet potatoes are low in phosphorus, which is best for kidney disease)

Instructions: Combine flour and garlic. Add chicken broth and vegetable(s) to flour. Add enough cold water to the flour and broth mix to form a ball; pat dough to ½ inch thick and cut into desired shapes; place on non-stick cookie sheet and bake in preheated oven at 350 F for 25 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Freeze what is not eaten within a week.

Bad Tummy Meal

Dogs can have digestive problems for many of the same reasons people do. Try this recipe for food that is intentionally bland when you dog’s stomach is upset.

Prep time: 30 minutes; makes 11 1-cup servings

Ingredients:

4 lbs. skinless chicken or lean ground beef

2 cups brown rice

1 cup applesauce

Instructions: Cook the chicken (or beef) in a pan with a little water over medium heat for about 15 minutes until it is completely cooked. Drain. Allow to cool. Cook the rice about 15 minutes longer than the package directions state. Shred the chicken, or crush the beef into tiny pieces.

Completely mix the meat with the rice and add the applesauce into the mix.

Accompaniments: If your dog is able to eat it, you can add a little yogurt to this mix.

Tips: This basic recipe, using chicken and rice, or beef and rice, is an old-time favorite for treating a dog with an upset tummy. It is often the first thing a dog can eat if he has been vomiting or if he has had diarrhea. The applesauce is optional, but it will help your dog’s stomach if he can keep the mixture down.

Lamb and Kidneys

At one time, the rule was to give dogs with kidney disease a low protein diet, but current research indicates that is not necessary unless your dog has seriously impaired kidneys. If your dog has early to moderate kidney disease, your veterinarian might approve protein from high quality meat protein. However, your dog should avoid foods high in phosphorus such as pumpkin and squash, cheese, nuts, flax seeds, and soybeans. As such, not all recipes in this section will be good for your dog, but the following might be ideal:

Prep time: 20 minutes; makes seven 1-cup servings

Ingredients:

2 lbs. lamb

1 ½ cups sweet potatoes, boiled and diced

4 egg

4 egg whites

4 oz. lamb kidneys (or other kidney)

½ cup plain, whole milk yogurt

Instructions: Cook lamb in a pan over medium heat for about 15 minutes until it is no longer pink and the juices run clear. Allow to cool. Remove the lamb from the pan and cut it into large pieces. Scramble the eggs, including the egg whites, in a pan over medium-high heat for about five minutes until they are no longer runny. Allow to cool. Cook the kidneys in a pan over medium heat with a small amount of water for about 15 minutes until they are thoroughly cooked. They should still be tender but not falling apart. Allow to cool. Add the lamb to sweet potatoes. Add the kidneys to the scrambled eggs. Fold the kidneys and scrambled eggs into the lamb mixtures. Top with the yogurt.

Accompaniments: If you prefer, you can reduce some of the sweet potatoes in this recipe and include some green beans or some white rice instead. You can add some butter to this recipe for your dog to increase the fat level without increasing the phosphorus.

Tips: This recipe is designed for dogs with kidney problems. It is relatively high in fat and low in phosphorus. It still has plenty of protein in it so it is not for dogs that cannot eat protein at all, but if your dog can eat moderate amounts of protein, this recipe should be fine. You can also substitute beef with higher amounts of fat instead of the lamb. If lamb kidneys are hard to find, you can use chicken or beef livers in this recipe. Egg whites are pure protein, which means you can add them to the recipe and keep the phosphorus level lower than if you add more whole eggs.

Beef and Barley

Diabetic dogs generally need to eat a diet that is higher in protein and fiber and lower in carbohydrates and fats to keep their blood glucose levels stabilized. If you have a dog that is diabetic, it is important that you put your dog on a good schedule and feed him at regular mealtimes. Small meals, often, will help. He should also get regular exercise. Many dogs with diabetes need to eat extra fiber to help them absorb carbohydrates and reduce the glucose in their bloodstream. If your dog is diabetic, he needs to avoid eating high amounts of sugars and simple carbs, as opposed to more complex carbs, which take longer to digest. Avoid fatty meats that can stress the pancreas, though some fat in the diet is necessary. Choose grains that are healthier for your dog, such as brown rice and oats. Vegetables and fruit are still good for your dog. One possible recipe is listed for you below:

Prep time: 20 minutes; makes 12 1-cup servings

Ingredients:

3 lbs. lean ground beef

2 ½ cups barley

2 ½ cups brown rice

1 cup celery, chopped

Instructions: Cook ground beef in a pan over medium heat for about 15 minutes until juices run clear. Allow to cool. Cook barley according to package directions. Cook rice according to package directions. Add beef and celery to barley and rice. Mix thoroughly. Serve.

Tips: You can use other vegetables instead of the celery, such as green beans or spinach. Different lean meats instead of beef will also work in this recipe, such as skinless chicken.

Lean but not Mean Meal

Since diet is as important in controlling weight as activity, you should not that there are several ways to cut calories even when making your dog homemade food. First, you should be sure to remove the skin from chicken or turkey when using those meats in recipes. Also, you can add vegetables to your dog’s meal to help him feel full without increasing caloric intake. Finally, if your dog does need to drop some weight, go ahead and limit carbohydrate or grain in their diet. This recipe is a good example of a low-cal, but filling meal:

Prep time: 25 minutes; makes nine 1-cup servings

Ingredients:

2 lbs. venison

3 cups cooked green beans, chopped

1 cup canned pears in juice, chopped

1 cup grated carrots

Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly grease a roasting pan. Cut the venison into large pieces and place in the roasting pan. Use a meat thermometer in one of the pieces of venison if you have one. Roast the venison for about 25 minutes or until the meat thermometer shows a temperature of 165. Add the carrots to the venison five minutes before you take the venison out of the oven to cook them. Take the venison and carrots out of the oven. Allow to cool. Mix the green beans and pears together. Then mix the green beans and pears with the venison and carrots. Ready to serve.

Accompaniments: Add some cranberries to this dish for a little extra pizzazz. They are tart and fruity and will go well with pears. They are also high in antioxidants and good for your dog.

Tips: Venison is a “novel” protein, or one your dog does not encounter normally unless you go out of your way to make it part of his diet. It is usually a good idea to stick to feeding your dog the proteins he is used to eating, such as chicken, beef, lamb and others that you see often. That way if he should develop an allergy to one of these proteins, it will be easy to switch him to a protein he has not had before. However, venison is low in fat, and if your dog needs to lose weight, it is a meat you might want to consider.

Choosing the Food Option that is Best
for You and Your Dog

Pet owners are in the same boat as human parents. You are bombarded with advertisements and “expert” opinions on the best food for your dog. While some of you might love the idea of making home-cooked meals for your dog, you might be as limited as the working mom who has to choose bottle over breast. The best thing you can do is figure out what works best for your dog — both in terms of nutrition and maintaining a healthy weight — and stick with it.