How to Make Dog Food

For centuries, dogs have eaten from the tables of their owners, making modern dog food a new introduction to the dog species' diets. Store-bought dog food isn't a whole food and contains many preservatives. So there's a strong push to return to feeding a dog whole food by cooking it yourself for your canine companion.

Instructions

1. Plan all of your dog's meals using the well-balanced ratio of 40 percent meat, 30 percent vegetables and 30 percent starch.

2. Choose meats that are lean and cook them well. At the meat counter, select organs like kidneys and livers. Follow recommendations for cooking temperatures as you would when cooking for a human. Your dog's immune system counts on it.

3. Use cooked carrots and peas as the first vegetables you feed your dog. Then experiment with other veggies, noting what the dog will and won't eat. Carrots are usually the most popular choice.

4. Give your dog brown rice, potatoes, wheat pasta or oatmeal to meet her starch requirement. Steer clear of white rice and pastas; manufacturers use bleach to strip the grain, and that's not good for your pet.

Tips & Warnings

• Both chocolate and spoiled garlic can be fatal to your dog. Make sure to use fresh garlic in recipes; it's a good flea protection and tapeworm remedy. Chocolate toxicity depends on the type of chocolate and amount ingested. As a rule, never give your dog chocolate.

• Avoid giving your pet dairy products and sweets. Instead, give your dog peanut butter and dried meat as treats.