Some of our clients prefer to make food for their pets.  This is time consuming but if you have the time can be rewarding.  This is also an alternative for pets that are finiky.  These are basic guidelines and may need modification depeding on your pet’s medical conditions and dietary needs.

Basic recipe for home made diets, using the following grains, meats, and vegetables:
-Grains: Brown rice, barley, or corn meal
-Meats: Beef, rabbit, chicken, turkey, beef hearts/liver, or chicken gizzards
-Vegetables: Broccoli, squash, carrots, string beans (A mix of fresh vegetables is recommended)

For an Adult dog the mix of the food should be as follows:
25% meat/protein source
50% grain source
25% vegetable source.
For example give 1/4 cup of meat, with 1/4 cup of mixed vegetables, with 1/2 cup of grains.

Younger dogs require a higher protein level then a grown animal.
30% meat/protein source
60% grain source
10% vegetable source.

All the food sources may be cooked and kept in the refrigerator and fed daily. A new batch of food should be made at least 2 times per week.

Vitamin Supplementation:
– Recommend Standard Process Canine Whole Body Support (This can be purchased here at Scottsdale Veterinary Clinic), or a good quality commercial vitamins and mineral supplement.
– Add extra vitamin C the form of sodium ascorbate to the diet. Puppies should get 250 mg of vitamin C daily, as should small dogs, 500 mg daily for medium size dogs, and 750 ml daily for large dogs.
– Fatty Acid oil supplement is also required- Eicosaderm is a supplement that can be obtained at Scottsdale Veterinary Clinic that has a good combination of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. An alternative, is using cold pressed olive oil- 1 teaspoon for small dogs, 1 and 1/2 tablespoons for large dogs. Cod liver oil or fish oil can be used in addition to olive oil as it provides a good source of vitamin A and antioxidants which help in arthritis conditions- use 1 teaspoon for medium size dogs.
– Kelp powder or other sea weeds as a seasoning to one meal daily- use about 1/4 teaspoon.

Another options for your pets diet is to have the diet formulated on line, based on your pet’s needs and tastes. The following websites offer diet formulation for a fee:

WWW.PETDIETS.COM
WWW.BALANCEIT.COM

Dr. Rowena D’Monte

The Scottsdale Veterinary Clinic

7311 E Thomas Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

www.TSVCpets.com

480-945-8484, open every day from 7 am- 9pm.