Healthy Cooking for Your Dog

Recent recalls have alerted dog lovers to the dangers lurking inside some bags of commercial pet foods. While most commercially available dog foods contain "complete and balanced" amounts of protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, they also contain additives, preservatives, by-products and allergens that can sicken your dog. Top quality commercial dog foods eliminate many of these concerns, but to be absolutely certain what is in your pet's food, you can make it yourself.

Meat and Bones

Pound for pound, dogs need almost six times more protein than people do. Meat---preferably raw---will provide the basis of a home-prepared dog food diet. In the wild, dogs eat their meat raw, and they are not squeamish about a nice, uncooked bowl of ground chicken or beef chunks. Include some organ meats, too, such as kidneys, hearts, tripe and brains. Really---dogs love these. Be cautious about beef liver; it is a purification organ and stores toxins. If your dog is a true liver lover, choose turkey or duck livers.

Dogs have high calcium needs and bones are good source. Chicken, poultry and pork bones are prone to splintering, particularly when cooked so use meaty beef bones instead. Limit your dog's access to raw meaty bones at first. Dogs unaccustomed to such delights may eat too much. As their digestive tracts become better used to raw foods, you can increase the amount you feed them.

Grains, Vegetables and Fruits

Grains and starches should be cooked before serving. Some healthy choices for dogs include barley, brown rice, bulgur, kidney beans, lima beans, pinto beans, split peas and rolled oats (oatmeal).

Vegetables such as carrots, turnips, squash, parsley, cauliflower, peas and green beans are good choices. These can be served cooked or uncooked. If you are using leftovers, be sure they are not heavily salted or sauced.

Even the most devoted carnivore likes a piece of fruit once in a while. Most dogs will enjoy berries, apples and melon. Caution: grapes and raisins have recently been added to the ASPCA's list of toxic foods.

Putting It Together

Give your dog a meal consisting of about 40 percent meat, 30 percent vegetables and 30 percent grains. Use a variety of ingredients--chicken one week, beef the next--mixing them up for the best nutritional results.

Some prepared raw diets, available freeze dried or frozen, contain ground bone meal in addition to fresh fruits, vegetables and grains. These "mix-ins" can be added to raw or cooked meats to create palatable and healthy meals. It takes some of the guesswork out of home cooking for your dog.

You can also add some helpful supplements to your dog's food, including bone meal (human grade only) and an omega-3 fatty acid supplement.