We have already established that we love our little Nico. She is full of character and love. Ever since she was a puppy I have been making her food and baking her treats. This has definitely paid off on those yearly visits to the vet. Her weight has not fluctuated, her coat has a beautiful sheen and her teeth are in great shape. She is super healthy with no issues what so ever.
Even though she is now almost 4 I still feed her 3 times a day. She gets about 1/3 cup of my home made food for breakfast and dinner then about 1/4 cup locally made ultra limited ingredient kibble at lunch for a crunchy treat. Her favourite treat is cheese so I will often give her a small chunk on her dinner. She obviously still gets treats through out the day as well. Spoiled? I’d say yes but she deserves it!
I know many people swear by not giving their dogs table scraps or people food but I always ask why. We know exactly what goes in our home made meals and with all the recalls on store bought foods I am very careful with what I purchase for her. I remember when Nico was in training and the trainer addressed this directly. She said if the food is good enough for us it will not harm your dog.
I usually make Nicos food every week and a half its super easy. You can change things up with fruits and vegetables that are in season or fresh meat that might be on sale. Just make sure you let the family know that its the dogs food because it smells like a hearty stew (well I guess it really is) and someone might want to steal a taste.
Here’s the recipe:
1 large egg
1 16oz 2% cottage cheese
1 pkg frozen spinach (or fresh)
1 pkg frozen mixed veg or fruit (I use Green Giant Valley Selections Essentials Seasonal Asian Blend) **
14 oz pure pumpkin (I use fresh chopped zucchini from my garden)
1 pkg mince meat (I usually get ground pork unless ground chicken or angus ground go on sale)
1/2 pkg chicken gizzards or hearts (I prefer no to use beef livers as I don’t like the smell when it cooks but then again we are not a big beef eating family)
2 tbsp olive oil
Selection of fresh herbs minced, or dried will work too. Currently I just pop out back to my kitchen garden and gather up some Basil, Rosemary, Lemon Thyme and Greek Thyme and mince it up fine.
Put everything in a crock pot and cook on low all day long. At the end of the day I turn it off and add about 1/3 cup of ground flax and give it a good mix. Let the entire mixture cool in the crock pot till evening then put it in the fridge over night. The next morning scoop 1/3 cup of food in zip lock bags, roll all the air out and put a couple in the fridge and the rest in the freezer taking one out every time I use one up.
If we are going away for an extended period of time I will usually make a double batch so I have enough for the holiday and when we get back. You will have to adjust for the size of dog you might have as these measurements would only last a St. Bernard a couple of days.
Food for your pooch doesn’t have to be boring so give this a try. Your fur baby will love you for it!!!
**DO NOT use frozen vegetable blends with water chestnuts!!! Dogs can NOT digest them. The become hard as rocks and passed whole or barfed back out whole.
