Home cooking books?

[Tommysmom]

Ok, I know you guys are all experts on raw. I like the idea of raw, and if any of you have followed the health issues my pup had for the first 6 months or so of his life (thank goodness he's getting healthier and healthier every day!) you can understand why I think raw might be really good for him. I'm a bit uneasy just going straight to raw though, as his immune system is still not really up to snuff yet. It's getting better, but he's still a bit weak.

I've noticed that when he gets real food he's much happier, eats better and more consistently than when he has kibble, and he's healthier - better poops, better skin, everything. So far Tommy only gets his kibble and food we give him as we try to figure out all his allergies. He had half a cooked steak last night - without the bone - and LOVED it (and I loved the small, solid poop this morning!). He's had pork too, loved that. Chicken or chicken fat of any kind makes him violently ill. Turkey seems good, though.

So, if not raw, I was thinking of cooking for him now that we have a wider range of foods we know he can tolerate. But I have no idea where to start to make sure he has a balanced diet... everything I've read is confusing, some say he needs veggies some say no, some say carbs are good some say no... I'm lost. I don't even know how much he should eat, he's only about 10.5 pounds at 9 months old.

Can anybody recommend some good books or reliable websites for home cooking? I think raw is the best, but if we're not going raw then I figure home cooking has got to be better than processed doggy food!

[TeriM]

I think that basically using your common sense is the best way. I tried the home cooking thing with Riley but with the volumn of food he needs it just is way to time consuming. I just bought a wack of hamburger and fried it up, drained most of the fat off, then put it into a big post with some sweet potatoes (sliced thin in my food processor) and some other ground up veggies. Added water and cooked for about an hour and then added some canned salmon as well. I would say my ratio was probaly about 60-70% meat and the balance was sweet potato and veggies.

I would also remember to vary the meat sources that you use ie. chicken, turkey, beef, different fishes etc.

He absolutely loved it. I believe that Byrd made a similar recipe for her dog http://www.pets.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=38542.

[Lukka'sma]

It really is good to hear that Tommy is getting better all the time. I hope home cooking does the trick for him and gets him in tip-top shape.

[Tommysmom]

Thanks, TeriM, that gives me something good to start with!

Anybody know how MUCH food he should be eating? Or should I just feed him what he will eat, and then watch his weight and adjust accordingly?

Lukka'sma, thank you... Tommy is doing GREAT! The only real issues we've had in the last while have been my fault (I didn't realize that there was chicken in some things, and he's definitely allergic to it!). He is healthy and happy these days, and we're just so darn grateful!

[Lukka'sma]

A Special Request
Could you ask Tommy to post some pictures of himself on the forum. I truly would love to see him

[Scott_B]

Well, my personal choice is a prey model feeding. And i dont feed chicken, so i wouldnt worry about that. have a look here.

http://rawfed.com/myths/feedraw.html

Read through that and the links throughout it.

ps, bones from steaks are not usual advised. They've been cut and can have sharp edges.