Seriously considering making homemade fresh/frozen dog food

[Bmakj]

three weeks into this second go around, and it seems all systems are go.

first week did chicken, second ground turkey, then this week it is chicken again. mixing probably 60/40 with kibble (just started a bag, so intend to use it up). measurements are not precise (meat is whatever the package is), veggies are one steamer bag of green beans / peas (sometimes with carrots), and whatever spinach I pull out of the bag (wifey cooks it a bunch), did second batch with 100% pumpkin (not pie filling with the extra sugar) instead of sweet potato (seems I left that off, but it is in there)

she is devouring it and licking bowl clean (almost clean enough to away with other dishes). only been three weeks, but weight seems to be holding steady (vet said she could lose 5 lbs or so, 75 lb lap dog, but not too concerned, she has a waist when looking down at her from above, and I hear that is what to look for)

we are not hosting for thanksgiving, but earned free turkey from grocery store, so we will cook that, will use approx half in a batch for victoria, since it will be way to much for wifey and I. gobble gobble

 

[2BullyMama]

three weeks into this second go around, and it seems all systems are go.

first week did chicken, second ground turkey, then this week it is chicken again. mixing probably 60/40 with kibble (just started a bag, so intend to use it up). measurements are not precise (meat is whatever the package is), veggies are one steamer bag of green beans / peas (sometimes with carrots), and whatever spinach I pull out of the bag (wifey cooks it a bunch), did second batch with 100% pumpkin (not pie filling with the extra sugar) instead of sweet potato (seems I left that off, but it is in there)

she is devouring it and licking bowl clean (almost clean enough to away with other dishes). only been three weeks, but weight seems to be holding steady (vet said she could lose 5 lbs or so, 75 lb lap dog, but not too concerned, she has a waist when looking down at her from above, and I hear that is what to look for)

we are not hosting for thanksgiving, but earned free turkey from grocery store, so we will cook that, will use approx half in a batch for victoria, since it will be way to much for wifey and I. gobble gobble

Yes, waistline from above is a good indication of proper weight

 

[Max]

Yes, waistline from above is a good indication of proper weight

I make Max’s food in the instant pot Then put into baggies and freeze I also make him 2 scrambled Eggs . When he eats I measure the protein add a cup of blue buffalo weight management and no salt string beans and salmon oil He gets some apple during the day maybe some cheese Night snack 3/4 cup plain Cheerios unsweetened applesauce and a little non fat plain yogurt I try to keep him on this schedule

 

[Lennie. U.K.]

Sounds good to me, what time is dinner?

 

[Donna-Marie]

currently just doing kibble (blue buffalo), and really want to supplement with "fresh" food.

most of the recipes I see are:
a protein (I was probably going to do 50/50 chicken livers and various ground/cubed meats; beef, chicken, turkey, pork)
sweet potato or brown rice
2-3 veggies (carrots, peas, green beans)
some also have olive oil and or low sodium broths, and some add tumeric and/or ginger (not so much for flavor but as supplement)

she gets a daily supplement now (dasequin joint), is there anything nutritionally she would lack based on the above? should I toss an egg in (or raw one on top of kibble?)? fish oil?

I know to start gradually (like 3:1 ratio current food:new food), and monitor her activity (pretty low now, champion napper), coat condition, and urine/stool (I get to inspect the last up close every day!). I would make approx one week at a time, and freeze half (preportioned), and refrigerate half. would probably only get to 50/50 "mixture" (she gets meals twice a day, so not certain if I would eventually replace entire meal, or do half and half each time, would love to hear thoughts on this too).

I did some cost comparisons, and doing recipes like this at home, cost is only maybe 10-15% more than her current kibble. 30 minutes a week is pretty inconsequential (I work from home, so I can do this while I prepare my lunch one a week).

 

[Donna-Marie]

I make Max’s food in the instant pot Then put into baggies and freeze I also make him 2 scrambled Eggs . When he eats I measure the protein add a cup of blue buffalo weight management and no salt string beans and salmon oil He gets some apple during the day maybe some cheese Night snack 3/4 cup plain Cheerios unsweetened applesauce and a little non fat plain yogurt I try to keep him on this schedule

I feed mine on a mix as she has a lot of dietary issues. For kibble I use Alpha ultra sensitive duck and rice. For fresh foods once a week I give her either sardines or mackerel in water (not oil or anything else) along with carrots, peas, broccoli, green beans cauliflower, berries such as raspberries and blackberries, strawberries , watermelon and banana is good too although not too much banana! Seaweed in small doses is also good obviously not all at once. Cooked eggs ( not fried) just once a week. A small amount of rice preferably whole grain. Turkey and duck is good and much less allergenic than most meats. Cooked of course. Salmon is a very good option for dogs, no skin, no smoked or fancy flavoured and no shell fish. Green mushrooms ( in small amounts) . Cheese in tiny amounts is good for high value treats. Plain sugar free yoghurt and berries are great for lucky mats and freezer. ball treats.
Most veg and fruits ( look up for nutritional values and safety first) can be given from frozen, but carrots need cooking otherwise your dog can’t fully process them. Sweetcorn will also go straight through and has no nutritional value cooked or not.
Tripe cooked , usually boiled is a good healthy food but I will warn you bully’s are windy .as you know add tripe to the mix and you have nuclear blast off! I’m sure you’ll already know but nothing that contains salt, garlic or onions regardless of small amounts,.
Don’t feed your dog raw until you’ve spoken with your vet and found somewhere reputable that does raw food for dogs that your vet approves of.
And never give. your dogs bones whatever type they are!

 

[Max]

Sounds good On the chicken broth I save the broth after cooking the chicken. You can freeze some for later and also make ice cubes. I recently puréed blueberries and mixed some into the broth. I used to give max rice and stopped because of his weight.

 

[Donna-Marie]

Sounds good On the chicken broth I save the broth after cooking the chicken. You can freeze some for later and also make ice cubes. I recently puréed blueberries and mixed some into the broth. I used to give max rice and stopped because of his weight.

Rice is fattening but if your dog is like mine and has a very sensitive stomach and has runny stools a little rice and pumpkin on the odd occasion are great stool firmers.