I’m a little excited to add this section to The Maple Cutting Board! While it’s definitely not (and won’t be) a primary focus of the blog, it is something I spend a significant amount of time doing each week, so I thought it may benefit some other readers who have dogs with sensitive stomachs or picky eating habits.
This is Indie!
Up until this Spring, Indie was on a diet of Acana dog kibble (mostly duck or bison based.) When she ended up with a severe (and terrifying) bout of Pancreatitis this spring, I took the vets advice and fed her only chicken and rice while she healed. Afterwards we put her back on a vet recommended brand of dog food, but she got sick again almost right away. After another round of medication, we tried a different brand, and once again, her Pancreatitis came back.
After that (and some conversations with our vet), I permanently removed kibble from Indie’s diet. Thanks to our handy Costco pass, I was able to start picking up ingredients in bulk at a relatively low price. As Indie started to feel better, she developed an insane food motivation I have never seen with her before. She also started to trim up, her coat got shinier, and she has become an over-all happier, healthier, more playful dog!
Full Disclaimer: You’re going to want to speak with your vet about any permanent diet you use for pets. I’m not a nutritionist, but feed Indie based on lots of consultative conversations with her vet. I also include a combination of vitamins and supplements with her diet, and vary the ingredients I cook for her often. Now a-days, she’s primarily a poultry girl, but loves red meat as a treat!
Everything I cook for Indie has a combination of high-quality proteins, vegetables, and complex carbohydrates.
Homemade Beef & Vegetable Dog Food
Ingredients
- 2.5 LBS Lean Beef Cubed into small (non-chokeable) bites
- 1.5 Cups Brown Rice
- 2-3 Small Carrots Diced, Skin On
- 1/2 Small Sweet Potato Cubed, Skin On
- 1.5 Cups Spinach Chopped
- 1 Small Handful of Peas
- 1 Small Handful of Dehydrated Kidney Beans
- Salmon Oil Follow Label Instructions
- Fiber Supplement Follow Label Instructions
- Multi-Vitamin Follow Label Instructions
Instructions
- Hydrate Kidney Beans
- Add all ingredients (except Supplements) – to a large, deep pan. Stir.
- Partially submerge the ingredients with water. Put a lid on the pan, and let simmer. Check and stir often, adding more water if required.
- Once cooked, set aside. Portion according to your dogs specific feeding requirements and let cool completely before serving!
- Provide additional supplements and vitamins as instructed via the label.
- That's it!
Another Note:
Indie’s a pretty affectionate girl. Since she’s always in your face begging for kisses, we noticed very shortly after we removed kibble from her diet that her teeth weren’t as clean.
Now, we make sure she has lots of antlers to chew on, and her teeth stay much cleaner.
I hope your pooch enjoys!