How to Make Dog Kibble

Your homemade dog kibble will be a much more healthful option for your best friend than most commercial preparations are. You won't have to guess at how fresh it might be, and it won't have any preservatives, fillers or artificial sweeteners in it. You can even add your dog's favorite ingredients to customize it. Depending upon how much meat you add, this easy-to-make kibble project will give you at least 14 cups of healthy dog food, which can be frozen.

Things You'll Need

• 3 cups whole wheat flour or potato flour 3 cups rolled oats or rye flour 3 cups cooked brown rice 2 cups dry milk 2 tsp. bone meal 3 cups water, milk, broth, meat juices, gravy or meat drippings 4 eggs 1 cup lard, melted Up to 4 cups of shredded or ground meat, fat or fish (optional) Up to 2 cups cooked peas or carrots (optional)

Instructions

1. Combine the whole wheat flour or potato flour, rolled oats or rye flour, cooked brown rice, dry milk and bone meal in a large mixing bowl. Blend it very well. Stir in the water, milk, broth, meat juices, gravy or meat drippings. Mix everything thoroughly.

2. Whisk the eggs in another bowl. Stir in the lard, and blend very well.

3. Stir the egg and lard mixture into the flour mixture and blend thoroughly. You can also add up to 4 cups of ground meat, fat or fish, and up to 2 cups of cooked peas or carrots at this point. Spread the batter in large greased baking pans to a depth of about 1/2 inch.

4. Preheat the oven to 175 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake the kibble dough for about 45 minutes. It's done when it becomes lightly browned and pulls away from the sides of the pans.

5. 

   Remove the pans from the oven and cool them on racks. When completely cooled, break the baked kibble into appropriate sized chunks. Store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container or zip-close bags for up to 4 or 5 days. You can freeze any excess in airtight containers or zip-close bags, as well.

Tips & Warnings

• Never feed your dog any of the following: chocolate (which can kill a dog), artificial sweeteners, raisins or grapes, seeds of any kind, apricot pits, onions or onion powder, hops (used for making beer), candy, coffee, moldy food and mushrooms.