Yummy Home-made Food For Doggies

Mliae over at Lifexperimentblog mentioned how hard it’s been to find dog-food in shops recently.

I immediately thought of my favourite doggies’ favourite food cooked by their human mums. So, I contacted their mums and got their tried and tested recipes to share with you over this confusing time for doggies (and their human parents). Huge thanks and hugs to Pamela Naidoo-Ameglio and Rani Chetty for allowing me to share their fur-baby food recipes with you.

Pamela’s Pappy Love Meals
(For Large and Giant Breeds)

Even the fussy ones licked their bowls cleaned and looked for more. The secret’s in the stock! Pamela’s large and giant-mixed breeds both had beautiful coats, were hardly ever bothered by fleas, and seldom went to the vet for illnesses. Kibble was used for breakfast and left for snacks, but this was the long awaited meal of the day, with a bone to keep gnawing for dessert. Kleinsus uses a similar recipe for her youngest hound as he has special dietary needs, so please take that into account if your doggie is similar.

You’ll need:
3 litres water
3 cups maize meal (mealie meal/pap)
beef/mutton bones (preferably with marrow, ask your butcher)
sliced, chunky carrots and other vegetables
1 tsp garlic or 2 cloves
glug of sunflower oil

Method
1) In a large pot, make a stock by browning the bones with the oil, then adding the water and bringing to a boil. Add garlic and vegetables, allowing to stew for 15-30mins.
Marrow in the bone is healthier than using fat, while the garlic repels fleas and conditions the coat. Most dogs I know love crunchy but soaked carrots so don’t slice the carrot too small, and perhaps add them last. Scrubbed potato and carrot peel, and peas are also good additions but avoid using whole potatoes and more corn as it will be too starchy.
2) Slowly stir in the maize meal. Continue stirring until you have a smooth, hard porridge.
It may be quite difficult to stir at times, but it makes for a great arm work-out!
3) Leave to steam for a few minutes.
4) Remove from pot and allow to cool in storage containers.
The food can be stored in the fridge for 1 week and can be frozen for longer term storage.

Recommended Portions
Once a day (midday or late afternoon) as follows, in addition to kibble and treats in the morning and late night:
Large breeds: 3 heaped dessert spoons + bone
Giant breeds: 3.5 heaped dessert spoons + bone

Note: Rice can be substituted for maize-meal, but you may need larger quantities of it as it’s not as dense. For this reason, I’ve noticed medium and small breeds are more likely to prefer rice to maize-meal.

Rani’s Relicious Rice and Roast Dins
(For small and medium breeds)

Rani’s little ones are especially picky eaters, and two have troublesome tummies, so she usually fixes them this very human food with some doggie-friendly adjustments. She doesn’t usually add carrots, which her fur-babies prefer raw, but you can experiment with cooked or steamed carrot in the mix as your doggie may have different tastes.

You will need:
Cooked rice (no salt)
Frozen chicken pieces or left-over roast chicken
carrots (optional)
water

Method
If you’re using left-over roast, remove the skin and skip to (2).
1) Place chicken pieces in pan or pot, cover with water. Bring to a boil and allow to steam till chicken is cooked through and most of the water is reduced.
It’s important to not season the meat as most dogs prefer unseasoned meat, and salt is unhealthy for them. You can experiment with garlic in small quantities to see if your doggie finds it acceptable as garlic repels fleas and conditions the coat.
2) When chicken has cooled, shred the meat and debone carefully but retain cartilage if your dog enjoys it. Ensure even the tiniest bones and bone fragments are removed. Skin can be left in shredded if your dog eats it.
3) Mix in a one part chicken to two parts rice. Add a little of the liquid from the pot and mix thoroughly so the rice isn’t dry.
This food can be stored in the fridge for 2-3 days and can be frozen for longer term storage.

Recommended portions
Rani feeds her small fur-babies about 3-4 tablespoons each morning and night. They snack on kibble during the day or if they prefer to miss breakfast, and also have doggie treats.

Snack suggestions (in moderation): 1 slice bread or 1 slice toast for large and giant breeds, half that for small to medium breeds; carrot sticks or chunks.

PS. These yummy ingredients are also needed by us humans, so remember to not panic-buy the ingredients, especially the staples!