How to Make Cheap Homemade Dog Food

Store bought dog food can be expensive and unhealthy.

There are many reasons for switching your dog to a homemade diet. It is often less expensive than store bought dog food, especially if you focus on high quality food. You can more closely control what your dog is eating and avoid chemicals and additives that could harm your pet. Dogs with specific food allergies can also benefit from a homemade diet since you can pick your ingredients. Making your own dog food at home is simple and inexpensive.

Things You'll Need

• 1 cup dried white rice
• 1 bouillon cube
• 1, 16 oz can of green beans
• 1 package of frozen chicken, turkey, or cubed beef
• Dog bowl

Instructions

1. Pour one cup of rice into a soup pot. Add two cups of water and the bullion cube. Bring the water to a boil, then turn the heat down so the rice simmers. Cover the rice and cook it for 15 minutes. Remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork.

2. Cook your meat selection. You can boil the chicken or turkey parts in water or saute them in a pan in olive oil. If you select beef for your dog food, select stew beef cubes because they are the least expensive. Cook them in a slow cooker for eight hours to break them down and make them more digestible. If you cook chicken or turkey parts on the bone, let them cool before pulling off the meat. You can prepare a whole package of meat at a time and freeze what you don't use that day.

3. Open your can of green beans and pour them in a strainer to drain. You can also use frozen green beans, but canned ones are cheaper. Rinse the beans to remove the salt. You can use different vegetables, but green beans have the best balance of fiber and nutrients. Avoid lima beans because the dog won't digest them well.

4. Mix together one part cooked rice, one part cooked meat and one part green beans in your dog's bowl. The exact measurements will vary with the weight of your dog. Consult your veterinarian about how much you should feed the dog each day. You can put any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to three days or put them in the freezer. Don't freeze the rice because the thawing process will make it slimy.

Tips & Warnings

• Consult your veterinarian before altering your dog's diet.

• You can substitute hard boiled eggs for meat.

• Don't use gravy.

References

• American Preppers Network: How to Make Homemade Dog Food