Home cooked Feeding Question

alwayshadpets · 04-22-2007, 09:13 AM

I have a question on amounts, maybe some of you here can help me.
With all the food recalls (she was on one of them) I decided to go home-made.
I have to back up a little though. Tamora had bad flakey skin. She looked like she had been dusted with snow. I am not kidding. I should have taken pics. I tried many foods,shampoos, vet bills etc. She also had diahrrea with different ones to complicate things. She has been on home-cooked for a week now. No Flakes (in about 24 hours-stools are good too). I can`t believe it. In about 3 weeks I will try a small amount of kibble just to see.
Now back to my original question. What amounts do you feed? She gets 60-75% protein (meats- 2 eggs a week)) Rest starches, vegetables (fruits 5-10 %).She also gets (this varies-fish oil, salmon oil, cod liver oil) plus a multi-vitamin. Raw bone twice a week.
Would I go by weight. I read on one site 1-1/2 lbs for a 50lb. dog. Or would I go by cups? I`m using the old eye-ball test now.
For all you raw people I commend you, but I am not comfortable with that method. Anyway we all want the same finish line. (to win) Thanks in advance

**Luvbirds59** · 04-22-2007, 09:21 AM

This is so great to hear! Isn't it amazing that we can feed our own dogs without the dog food companies....and the dogs actually do better!

I'm one of those RAW feeders so I can't really help you. Petey is eating between 3.5 and 4 pounds of meat and bones a day, he is almost 6 months old and pushing 70 pounds.

I had my Weims on cooked for a bit at the ends of their lives, I gave them close to what they got in dry in two meals.

Congrats on the switch!

Carol

**Acooper** · 04-22-2007, 01:55 PM

I am glad you asked this, and I am glad you are seeing good results already!

I am in the boat with you, so I am trying to figure out how much is enough with out being too much as well. My two are tickled with the food so far, but my kids also like Mcdonalds...........so I am waiting to see how things go with pooh & coats for starters. I have noticed looser stools, but this is just day 3.

Would you mind pm'ing me with an example of one of her meals?? If not, it's ok

The only way I have been trying to estimate is counting calories of what I feed them and try to make it as close to what they were getting on dog food.

Molari · 04-22-2007, 02:46 PM

I feed GKar about 3 cups split into two meals a day. It is actually 2 full ladles of food in each serving but its close to 3 cups. Until he was 18 months I was giving him 3 ladles twice a day. The only real suppliment I give him is something called healthy powder which is yeast, lecitfin(sp), bone meal, kelp and vitamin c. He gets a 2 lb porterhouse twice a month and liver on a fairly regular basis. I am curious, why would you consider trying a kibble again if you have seen how good the new food is?

Sooz · 04-22-2007, 03:08 PM

Is cardboard considered raw or cooked?

Julie W · 04-22-2007, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Is cardboard considered raw or cooked?

Neither really. That's considered the fiber portion of the diet.

LTH · 04-22-2007, 03:17 PM

Sooz & Julie ya'll are toooo funny!!!!!

Okie-dobie · 04-22-2007, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Molari

I feed GKar about 3 cups split into two meals a day. It is actually 2 full ladles of food in each serving but its close to 3 cups. Until he was 18 months I was giving him 3 ladles twice a day. The only real suppliment I give him is something called healthy powder which is yeast, lecitfin(sp), bone meal, kelp and vitamin c. He gets a 2 lb porterhouse twice a month and liver on a fairly regular basis. I am curious, why would you consider trying a kibble again if you have seen how good the new food is?

Is the healthy powder from Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats?? It's pretty good and I forgot about that one...much cheaper than buying a multi vit/min.

**Acooper** · 04-22-2007, 04:18 PM

Oh yeah.........that is another thing I didn't mention. I bought a bag of "missing link" and have added 1/2 teaspoon full each day. Any thoughts??

I don't know if I care for the rice bran being a main ing, but didn't know what else to do for now.........that was the only powder supplement available at the pet store close to us.

**BackInBlack** · 04-22-2007, 05:34 PM

Wow, I dont know with home cooked. I think raw is 2-3% of body weight. More for active dogs, less for senior. Puppies is like 4-5%. Maybe it is the same?? Sorry I cant be of more help.