Since we obviously can't trust the so-called "dog food" and "cat food" manufacturers to supply our pets with sustenance that doesn't contain of ingredients that can kill them, we might just be forced to make our own. But don't worry - it's easier than you think!
(click here for a list of dogfood recalls , and click here for a list of catfood recalls)I am holding back the urge to rant on about corporate responsibility and how, to some of us, our pet is like our child. Melamine is a metabolite of cyromazine, a pesticide. How would they like it if someone put pesticides in their child's baby food? But instead, I'll just give you a few recipes for homemade pet food.
First of all, it is a myth that you can't feed your pet healthy, home-made food on a budget. You don't need to spend a lot of time on this. Cats and dogs in the wild will eat just about anything, including most of what they can find in our garbage cans. We are not saying feed your dog or cat table scraps and garbage. But we ARE saying that you don't need to cook them some gormet meal every night. Here's how simple it can be:
(See pet food treats recipe below. These are more than just "treats". Think of them as dietary supplements for your pet.)
Dogs are happy with something as simple as chicken and rice. They do need a carbohydrate source, so don't feed them meat-only meals. And you should also avoid certain ingredients, as they can be dangerous (i.e. onions, garlic, grapes, and chocolate).
Home Made Simple Dog Food Recipe #1
Basic Chicken, Rice, and Oats
- One whole boiled cooked chicken (don't feed the dog the entire chicken. Just the meat.)
- Half Bag wild brown rice cooked in with the chicken
- One Cup of Oats
Notes: The oats are added when chicken is done. This should be enough to feed an average-sized dog for about three days.
Cats require more protein and less carbohydrates than dogs. Here is a simple way to feed your cat home-cooked meals while all of these pet food recalls are going around:
Home Made Cat Food Recipe #1
High Protein Catfood Meal
Switch off the protein sources with each batch or two. Switch between:
- Half Pound of minced boneless chicken breast or thigh
- Six Ounces of dark-mean ground turkey or minced turkey
- Half Pound of lean, minced beef
- Half Pound of minced beef, chicken or turkey heart
Notes: About three times per week, include one chopped hard-boiled or scrambled egg. Occasionally substitute a five-ounce can of salmon or tuna for the meat. Avoid canned salmon or tuna for cats that are prone to urinary tract infections
In addition to making your own dog food or cat food, you can make your own pet treats just as easily, and they provide a great supplement to your pet's diet:
LIVER COOKIES for Dogs and Cats
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F
- Combine Half Cup dry milk and Half Cup wheat germ; drip one teaspoon of honey on top.
- Add one 3 1/3 oz. jar of strained liver baby food or homemade blended liver and stir until everything is well mixed.
- Form the mixture into balls; place them on an oiled cookie sheet and flatten them with a fork.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.
- Consistency of Liver Cookies should be fudgy.
- Store in a jar in the refridgerator, and these dog or cat treats will stay good for 3-5 days.
How to Make a Few More Home-Made Dog and Cat Food Recipes:
Dog Food Recipe #2 - Slightly More Complicated but Still Simple
What You Need: One Pound Lean Ground Beef, Four large eggs, Eight cups brown rice, Twelve slices of decrusted, crumbled bread (white or wheat)
How to Make It:
- Fully Cook the ground beef
- Drain the Grease from the pan
- Boil the eggs, discard the yellows, and crumble the whites into the beef mix
- Boil rice in unsalted water until tender. Let cool.
- Add rice to beef and egg mixture. Add crumbled white bread to mixture.
- Serve when cool
*Always serve at room temperature
How to Make Dog Food with Veggies Mixed In
What You Need: One pound of chicken breast, Four cups frozen diced carrots (defrosted), Four cups frozen diced green beans (defrosted), One table spoon of Vegetable oil
How to Make It:
- Saute chicken in vegetable oil until thoroughly cooked. Remove and cool.
- Cook carrots and green beans in a pan until warm.
- Shred cooled chicken into small pieces. Mix with carrots and green beans.
- Serve at room temperature.
Cat Food with Veggies Mixed In
What You Need: Six cups brown rice, Four large eggs, Four cups frozen diced carrots, Four cups frozen diced green beans, Four table spoons of vegetable oil
How to Make it:
- Cook rice in unsalted boiling water until tender.
- Boil EggsLet cool and peel.
- Saute rice, carrots, and green beans.
- Add crumbled egg whites and vegetable oil.
- Mix well and serve at room temperature.
Labels: cat food, catfood, dog food recall, dogfood, home made, homemade, recipe
