Make dog food and treats at home to keep your pup happy and healthy.
Understanding the nutritional needs of a dog is the key to making healthy, tasty food at home. According to the Gourmet Sleuth website, dogs are omnivorous creatures requiring a balance of meat, carbohydrates and vegetable-based foods in their diet. Homemade pet food chefs must understand that there a several foods which are toxic to a dog including: raisins, grapes, onions, garlic, chocolate and artificial sweeteners. Be sure to cook all meat dishes carefully as dogs are susceptible to salmonella, E. coli and other food-borne illnesses.
Instructions
Homemade Dog Food
1. Brown 3 lbs. of ground meat in a large skillet.
2. Place 4 cups of rice, 9 cups of water, 1/4 cup of oats and 1 tsp. of salt in a large Dutch oven of sauce pan and bring to a boil.
3. Add 1/2 cup of low fat milk, 2-1/2 cup of frozen vegetables and cooked meat to the Dutch oven pan. Cook on medium-low heat for about 20 minutes or until liquid is fully absorbed. Stir consistently.
4. Remove cooked mixture from the heat and allow it cool until it a comfortable temperature to handle.
5. Scoop cooked mixture into 1/2 cup measuring cup. Press the mixture together. Flip the cup upside down on to a cookie sheet. Tap gently to release the 1/2 cup servings of dog food. Store food in plastic storage containers in the refrigerator.
6. Serve dogs a 1/2 cup serving per 30 lbs. of dog's weight.
Homemade Dog Treats
7. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
8. Mix together 2-1/2 cups of whole wheat flour, 1/2 cup powdered milk, 1 tbs. wheat germ and 1 tsp. beef bouillon cube granules in a large bowl.
9. Stir in 1/3 cup of meat drippings and one egg.
10. Use a tablespoon to add in water, one spoonful at a time. Keep adding water until the dough begins to stick together.
11. Lightly flour the cooking surface. Roll out dough using a rolling pin until the dough is about 1/2-inch thick. Press cookie cutters into the dough to create the biscuit shapes. Place biscuits 1 inch apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the biscuits are firm. Allow the cooked biscuits to cool before serving to the dog.
Tags: cooked mixture, Dutch oven, Homemade Food, minutes until, until dough