[virginia R]

Hi Stephanie – there is a good facebook group called “home cooked diets for dogs” which has a lot of information – the files are excellent and only well researched and scientifically supported data is included. I had tried with one canine nutritional specialist but her formula did not work for my dogs (exceptionally high in starches). I’m now “cheating” with The Honest Kitchen Preference Base Mix. It’s freeze dried vegetables and fruit and essential vitamins and minerals. This product requires you to add the meat/protein – so you know what your dog is eating. It’s a lot easier than making the meals completely from scratch, and might be a nice way to start the home cooking process. My dogs are both doing very well on this diet. One is youngster with pancreatitis and joint issues – we’ve almost totally transitioned her off prescription diet.

[virginia R]

Hi Greg – I did buy Dr Becker’s book – it is helpful but the recipes are very complicated because of the need to mix your own supplements – which can include a dozen or more vitamins and minerals in minute to large amounts. I then researched to find recipes and a pre-mixed supplement and had a consultation with my vet and Hilary Watson of Hilary’s Blend. I followed her program closely – everything measured to the gram, cooked according to the recipes and no substitutions. Ingredients included boneless chicken breasts, wild catch salmon, lean ground beef – with rice or potatoes and fruit and vegetables along with the supplements. Cooking for 2 dogs approx. 45 lb. each was a huge effort which I was willing to continue. My dogs did not do well on this program – while it may not be related, the 11 month old has been diagnosed with pancreatitis and the 4 year old doesn’t seem to be able to digest brown rice and/or chicken. We are now on Hills ID for the 4 year old and Royal Canin gastro low fat for the baby. I’ve also tried raw (violently ill). So while I still think that home cooking should be better (especially when you use quality ingredients), my experience is that the dogs do better on commercial kibble and canned.

[virginia R]

Hi Susan – in Canada we can get deer tendons, but for my Standard Poodles they last about 5 minutes. And they make them sick. Kangaroo may be stronger and I know the meat is often more healthy.

[virginia R]

Hi Janis – I have two Standard Poodles, both “energetic chewers”, the first is now 4 and we made the mistake of giving her bones and antlers when she was young. Resulted in damaged enamel – visible marks on her teeth which are now also permanently stained. We see specialist dentist with her (and our cats). His advice is clear – no bones, antlers or anything that is hard (“hit yourself in the shin, it it hurts don’t allow it”). We’ve tried Yak Milk (shattered), bully sticks/bull penis – the dogs chew off hunks and choke. Same with trachea, pigs ears, veterinary dental chews. We’ve found only one safe (enough) thing for chewing – it’s like a nylabone made by a company called Tasty Bone. Still with it we have to watch – they can chew and make burrs on the toy and then it can make their gums bleed. And of course there are the Kong products – black for aggressive chewers. Good for you – no toys without supervison.

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