In the wake of recent pet food recalls, many dog owners have resorted to cooking for their dogs. A homemade diet is one way to know exactly what you are feeding your best friend. However, not all human foods are good for dogs. If you are cooking for your dog or just sharing a snack, make sure he is not getting something that can cause illness or death.

Alcohol can cause breathing difficulties, abnormal blood acidity, coma and death in dogs. At parties, don’t let anyone offer your dog a ‘drink.’

Avocadoes contain persin which can cause digestive upsets and heart problems.

Bones may splinter and puncture or obstruct the digestive tract.

Broccoli in large amounts can cause illness in dogs.

Chocolate, coffee and tea all contain stimulants that cause abnormal heartbeat, seizures and death in dogs. Chocolate is especially dangerous for dogs.

Corn on the cob is dangerous. Even though the corn will be digested, chunks of cob may obstruct the digestive tract

Grapes and raisins contain an unknown substance that causes kidney failure in dogs.

Liver in large amounts can cause Vitamin A toxicity.

Macadamia nuts contain an unidentified toxin that causes weakness, tremors, panting and swelling in the legs.

Walnuts may have a fungus or mold which causes drooling, jaundice, lack of coordination, and vomiting.

Milk is difficult for some dogs to digest effectively, which leads to G.I. upsets.

Mushrooms and molds can be toxic to dogs. Some varieties are more toxic than others.

Nutmeg is a seasoning that causes tremors, seizures, and death in dogs.

Onions and garlic, both cooked and raw, contain thiosulphate which can cause digestive upsets, hemolytic anemia, and death. Onions contain more of the toxin than garlic does.

Raw egg whites contain avidin, which causes B vitamin deficiency, skin problems, and skeletal deformities Raw eggs can harbor salmonella or e.coli.

Raw fish, especially salmon, may contain parasites that are dangerous for dogs.

Seeds and fruit pits can cause choking or intestinal blockages and some contain cyanide which is toxic to dogs.

Xylitol causes an insulin reaction in dogs which can lead to liver failure within a few days. It’s found in many candies, gums, toothpastes, and pastries.

Greasy, fatty table scraps can cause pancreatitis in dogs. Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas caused when too much digestive enzyme is produced. Affected dogs may have bloody vomit or diarrhea and suffer dehydration and even death.

Snacks shared with your dog need to be checked for hidden ingredients. Some foods such as cookies, gravies, and even some baby foods, can contain chocolate, nuts, onions, excessive salt or sugar, or other items dangerous for dogs. Keeping garbage cans secured is a good idea too.

Pennies are another danger to dogs worth mentioning. Those dated after 1981 are made from zinc with a thin copper coating. A dog swallowing just one of these pennies can suffer damage to red blood cells and kidney failure, due to zinc poisoning.

If you suspect your dog has consumed something toxic, call your vet right away. Hesitation can prove fatal.

Most doting dog owners, especially children, love to share snacks with their best friend but these should be healthful foods, approved by a veterinarian. A little awareness and caution can prevent a tragedy.

The best way to know what goes into your dog’s food is to make it yourself. With the recent pet food recall, many pet owners are doing just that. Though some experts argue that a homemade diet is best for dogs, this is best done temporarily until you can consult your veterinarian, as canines have definite nutritional requirements. Dietary changes should be done slowly to avoid digestive upsets. Recipes or ingredients may be rotated to ensure nutritional variety.

Do not feed your dog bones, especially cooked bones. Fragments can become lodged in the digestive tract. Canines in the wild who eat bones have the benefit of consuming hair and hide too, which have been found to ‘pad’ the bone fragments and aid in their passing. Other foods to avoid that are dangerous for dogs are chocolate, avocados, mushrooms, macadamia nuts, grapes, raisins, onions, and garlic.

Try one of these easy dog food recipes and watch your pup smile.

Doggy Hamburger Helper

1-cup hamburger meat, stir-fried in 1 tbsp canola oil

2 boiled eggs, chopped

½ cup cooked plain oatmeal

1 jar baby food green beans

1 jar baby food carrots

2 Tbsp cottage cheese

Combine all ingredients and serve at room temperature. A good doggy multivitamin/mineral supplement may be added for good measure. Be sure to store unused portions in a covered container in the refrigerator and discard any remains after 3 days.

Doggy Casserole

1 cup boiled poultry, chopped

½ cup cooked brown rice

½ cup boiled mixed vegetables

3 to 4 Tbsp unsalted chicken broth

(Note: Salmon may occasionally be substituted for boiled poultry, with chicken broth omitted.)

Stir together and serve at room temperature. A good doggy multivitamin/mineral supplement may be added for good measure. Be sure to store unused portions in a covered container in the refrigerator and discard remains after 3 days.

Home Cooking

• approx. 5 lbs of ground beef or chicken
• 3/4 cup canola oil
• 4-5 cloves garlic
• 32 cups water
• 8-10 cups processed veggies (various)
  (carrots, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, bean sprouts, potatoes, sweet potatoes, red peppers, spinach, beets, lettuce, tomatoes, etc.) NO ONIONS
• 2-3 cans kidney beans
• 1/2 molasses (optional)
• 42-45 oz oatmeal (quick cooking oats)
• eggs can be added to boost protein

Dog Food Recipe Directions:

In a large 24qt pot brown ground meat, add canola oil and garlic. When well cooked, add water. Bring to boil, then add veggies that have been processed, I use a blender (frozen or canned veggies will work too). Use dried kidney beans and soak them the night before preparing a batch of food. While cooking the meat have the beans in another pot cooking them. I rarely use beans…makes em a little gassy. Sometimes I will but not too much. You could cut the serving size down to smaller portions.

Once cooked, they are added to the above mixture. Next, the oatmeal is added. Frequent stirring is necessary at this point as the mixture will stick. Remove from heat, cool and put into containers. you can occasionally add pumpernickel bread and some times substitute brown rice for some of the oatmeal

Servings: One human and 3 small dogs

Main ingredients for both, to be divided into 2 portions:

• 1 whole organic chicken
• 4 medium-sized potatoes
• 4 medium-sized carrots
• 8 cloves garlic
• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

Ingredients (Dogs’):

• ½ Chicken
• 2 potatoes, peeled and quartered
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced half an inch diagonally
• 2 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder

Ingredients (Yours):

• ½ Chicken
• 2 potatoes, peeled and quartered
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced half an inch diagonally
• 2 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder
• ½ tablespoon of paprika
• ¼ teaspoon of sea salt (optional, I rarely use salt in my recipe as I prefer herbs to salt)
• ¼ teaspoon of black pepper
• 2 sprigs rosemary
• 2 medium red onions, peeled and quartered

Methods:

1. (Dogs’) In a medium-sized bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil with the garlic powder.
2. (Yours) In a medium-sized bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil with the garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
3. (Dogs’) Place the half chicken into the bowl and rub the mixture all over it including inside.
4. (Yours) Place the half chicken into the bowl and rub the mixture all over it including inside. Lay the rosemary sprigs on the inside of the bird.
5. (Dogs’ and Yours) Cover both bowls with plastic wrap and leave them in the refrigerator overnight or for at least two hours.
6. (Dogs’ and Yours) Remove the chicken from the fridge half an hour before roasting. Preheat oven to 350°F.
7. (Dogs’) In a roasting pan, toss the potatoes, carrots, and garlic with 1 tablespoon of oil. Mix well.
8. (Yours) In another roasting pan, toss the potatoes, carrots, onions, and garlic with 1 tablespoon of oil. Mix well.
9. (Dogs’ and Yours) Place the chicken, inside facing upward, on top of the vegetables in their respectively pans. Pour each remaining sauce from the bowl over the chicken and vegetables.
10. (Dogs’ and Yours) Place both roasting pans, along side one another, into the oven and roast for 45 minutes. (Make sure both pans can be fitted into the oven before attempting this recipe, otherwise you’ll end up spending twice the amount of time required.)
11. (Dogs’ and Yours) Turn both chicken, thighs facing upward, for another 30 minutes or until the skin turns crisp and golden.
12. (Dog’s and Yours) Remove both chicken from the oven and let them rest for 10 minutes before carving.

Special Note: Remember to debone your dogs’ chicken and cut the potatoes and carrots into halves or cubes before serving.

Every pet owner, dog owners included, wants the best for their beloved friend. As a dog owner, you may even feel as though your dog is a member of your family, and take any necessary steps to ensure your dog’s well-being. One thing that many dog owner’s do, along with making sure their dog has a healthy diet, is to give their dog natural health supplements, to boost his or her overall health .There are many different herbal supplements out there that are successfully used for treating many common dog ailments, it is just a matter of taking the time to do some research to decide which ones will be best for your dog.

One of the most common natural health supplements used for dogs is flaxseed oil. Some pet owners use flaxseed oil to help keep their dog’s skin and coat healthy, either as preventive medicine, or whenever problems arise. Many common skin ailments can be healed, or at the least, the symptoms relieved, by the use of flaxseed oil.

If you are not a fan of the many commercial flea repellents on the market for dogs today, then you might want to think about using garlic, as a natural flea repellent. In most cases, the garlic will be much safer for your dog and friendlier on your wallet as well!

Licorice root has long been used in many dog foods and natural health supplements because it aids in digestion, helping alleviate stomach upset, diarrhea, and even reflux.

For older dogs suffering from joint pain and stiffness, often a sign of arthritis, a glucosamine chondroitan supplement may do the trick. Not only can this supplement work for your dog, but you as well! Over time, the cartilage between the joints, especially the hips, starts to decay, or wear away, causing movement to be painful, and inflammation to occur. This supplement can help to replenish that lost cartilage, providing extra cushioning to those painful joints, and giving your dog some, much needed pain relief.

Much like licorice root, ginger root can also aid in digestion, and is used to treat many canine digestive problems, such as gas and nausea. It may even help prevent your dog from getting sick in the car, which can be a common occurrence for some breeds.

Vitamin C supplements can help your dog as he or she grows older, by preventing muscle and tissue damage, and slowing down the aging process. This means that your dog will feel better longer, and may even live a little longer as well! Vitamin C has been used to prevent many different types of canine cancer, to treat urinary problems, and boost the immune system.

As always, it is a good idea to talk to your veterinarian before you start using any natural herbal health supplements for your dog, especially if he or she is currently on any kind of medication, or has had allergic reactions in the past. Do your homework, make a list of the supplements that you think would be beneficial for your dog, and then consult with your vet before you go shopping. Your vet can also tell you more about how the supplements should be used, and in what dosages.

. As with all dry foods we have used, we always supplement with fresh meats, vegetables and vitamins, fruits like apples and veggies like peas, carrots and green beans.

You could make a meatball using baby oatmeal and mixing the meat with egg, potatoes, veggies (ground fine) and mix with hamburger or ground turkey like you would a meatloaf. You could even put some rice in. Then sprinkle in the dry baby oatmeal and ground flax seed. Roll into balls and freeze. Use as needed. Bake and serve or bake and freeze!