We are 344 days into homemade dog food--rapidly approaching our one year anniversary. Dexter was recently at the vet. The vet asked what I fed him. I mentioned that I fed him a homemade diet. Without any retribution, she suggested that I ensure that I go to vet approved resources such as Cornell. I thanked her and indicated that I had done my homework, to include UC Davis's Dr. Strombeck's work. She said, "Good. So many of owners don't bother to do any research."
I put in quite a few hours doing the research, and Dexter's body condition was given "Excellent". He is perfect weight; his coat is shiny and soft; and his poop does not stink. (One of the many great benefits of a homemade diet!). That he had to be manhandled to get vetted was very disappointing. I've never had any dog
It seems so easy now, but I remember my trepidation that I would do something that would forever harm the health of my animals. Oh, I still have to buy dry food, as with a recent trip where another hand to care for my 4 dogs. So, they got dry food which I integrated into their regimen over the course of a few days. It helped my daughter feed them easily. They ate it (though Dexter was not crazy about it); and none were were for wear.
There is no question that there is real work involved over and above opening a bag and scooping it out. It would be far simpler if I did not have 4 dogs which is an all time high for us. But I have 3 seniors, so the crowd will naturally thin. I have no desire to have such a large pack in the future. It is simply just too much. But we are giving a loving home; they give us love and companionship in turn.
So as they age; they have excellent nutrition which will help greatly. Skin, coat, teeth and eyes are all great. And once I commit to making a batch of food, it lasts a about 6 weeks, which includes my getting about 30lbs of the mechanically separated turkey in 10lb chubs.
I'm down to my last couple of meals, and I need to make some more. It is not something that I relish. But they love to lick the bowls!
I put in quite a few hours doing the research, and Dexter's body condition was given "Excellent". He is perfect weight; his coat is shiny and soft; and his poop does not stink. (One of the many great benefits of a homemade diet!). That he had to be manhandled to get vetted was very disappointing. I've never had any dog
It seems so easy now, but I remember my trepidation that I would do something that would forever harm the health of my animals. Oh, I still have to buy dry food, as with a recent trip where another hand to care for my 4 dogs. So, they got dry food which I integrated into their regimen over the course of a few days. It helped my daughter feed them easily. They ate it (though Dexter was not crazy about it); and none were were for wear.
There is no question that there is real work involved over and above opening a bag and scooping it out. It would be far simpler if I did not have 4 dogs which is an all time high for us. But I have 3 seniors, so the crowd will naturally thin. I have no desire to have such a large pack in the future. It is simply just too much. But we are giving a loving home; they give us love and companionship in turn.
So as they age; they have excellent nutrition which will help greatly. Skin, coat, teeth and eyes are all great. And once I commit to making a batch of food, it lasts a about 6 weeks, which includes my getting about 30lbs of the mechanically separated turkey in 10lb chubs.
I'm down to my last couple of meals, and I need to make some more. It is not something that I relish. But they love to lick the bowls!
