Best Dog Food & Cat Food Options for Your Healthy Pet!
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I started feeding both my dogs a frozen, pre-made raw dog food from a local pet store. I love it and so do my dogs but it is pretty expensive. Is there a way I can make cheaper version of this at home? Thanks!
An organic raw food diet can take approximateley an hour of your time a week. Simply prepare their meals as you would for a family. Sunday evening fix their eggs and place in small bowls and put them in the fridge. Mix their raw veggies, rice and meats together place in separate bowls and throw them in the freezer. The only part of this that I dispise is the dishes:)
Posted by Mannalis (Tulsa, Oklahoma) on 08/25/2009
I'd like to thank everyone for their posts, they are very informative. My sister has a Maltese and we feed him name brand food. We notice that he sleeps a lot, and he's not at all interested in his food. We have been in the process of switching to all natural and Organic foods and would like to switch Maverick (the maltese) to Organic as well, it would be nice to give him homemade recipes but he tends to throw up a lot of the human food we give him, except lettuce, tomato, and carrots, plus we don't have much time to prepare homemade food for him. Although we love him and from reading all of your posts I can tell that he will do a lot better on Organic and Natural foods. Anybody have any suggestions on simple recipes, Natural dog foods, or supplements we could give him? I heard something about flaxseed oil. Input and Suggestions are very much appreciated.
P.S. we would like to switch him to organic as soon as possible!
I stopped feeding my yorkies commerical food afer the recall. This is what I came up with (one has allergies). I boil about 3 chicken thighs, pick meat and skin off the bone. In the broth I boil white rice. When rice is done chop up the chicken and skin and add to rice. Mix in some canned green beans or peas, with a little pumpkin. You can freeze this in small portions sizes. When ready to eat microwave it and add 1/4 chopped slice cheese to top. My yorkies also take a pettab and for treats they eat raw baby carrots. If your baby only spits up occassionly it could be acid reflux the one with allergies also has this problem for that I use 1/4 of a pepcid ac tab he weighs 8 lbs so ajust as needed. good luck
Posted by Andre (New York City, USA) on 02/26/2009
I had the same question about catfood and found out one such ethical and *very* good small company that manufactures healthy dog food and human foods as well.
Kal the cat was also successfully treated of ear mite with Ted dog mange cure adapted for cats in 2007 - he has been w/o mites since - see him there http://www.flickr.com/photos/nycandre/1459080973/
Posted by Kamee (San Diego, California) on 08/06/2015
I am planning to adopt a cat before the month ends. However, I don't know what is the safest way to feed it: home cooked meals, ready to eat cat foods, or raw meat like the dogs. I am looking for something that will keep it healthy without me spending too much. Thanks!
I feed my cat mix of raw meat, baby food, cooked fish, I give her some spirulina and flaxseed oil tablets as well. I started rubbing my cats gums with coconut oil and I am also trying to spray her mouth with colloidal silver to her dismay as I just came back from vets routine check up and found out she has a tartar build up on her teeth and gingivitis. Vet suggested a good clean up, hopefully I will be left with some monies for christmas, lol
I'm glad that you posted a comment on Taste of the Wild. I too switched to this brand from another equally good brand. I switched because my newly adopted pet was consistently having runny/loose stools. Once I switched my two dogs over to Taste of the Wild they are both more regular. I have recently implemented raw food into their diet also; a small portion with every meal. I wish you the best of luck with your dogs health.
After reading your post, I have purchased some dog food from Flint River Ranch. I have 2 Toy Poodles. The female is 5 years old. She is smaller with shorter legs and body. The male is about 3 years old. He is taller with longer thin body. (Yes they are spayed and neutered). The female has allergies of some kind. We haven't found out what she's allergic too.
I was already using Wellness Brand Super 5 Mix. But the problem with it was they wouldn't eat it unless I added something to it. So after I read your post, I was happy to look into this Flint River brand. I loved what I read on the reviews of this food. So I ordered the lamb meal from them. They do eat this food without anything added and I think it's helping her with her skin problems.
She doesn't scratch as much as before. She seems much more content and I think maybe with changing her food; she will eventually be cured of the constant scratching. Our other dog has no allergies and does well on any food if it's one they will eat. We have always tried to get a quality brand dog food without any bad ingredients, to keep them healthy.
I do have some of the Wellness food left. I started with adding the new brand with this one so they could adjust. I was surprised to see them eating both brands. I only put them in the pan side by side and did not mix them. So I wonder why with having both brands that they would eat the one they wouldn't eat before. That was puzzling to me.
Both these foods in my opinion are healthy foods and I know there are others out there. I have no interest in any brands, except looking to keep my babies healthy and happy.
Posted by Katharine (Charleston, SC) on 09/22/2008
I would like to comment on the Whole Foods 365 brand of pet food. It is easy to think that all products carried at Whole Foods are great and natural...I used to. I looked at the ingredients in their 365 brand pet food. Their adult dog kibble contains the following:
Among the first ingredients are by-products, corn, wheat, beet pulp and so on. NOT GOOD INGREDIENTS! Not only are they not good sources of protein, but they cause a number of problems. I caution everyone to stay far away from corn, wheat, soy, or by-products with your pets!
Posted by Pat (New Albany, Mississippi) on 04/26/2008
I had a dog that nearly died from what I thought was a premium commercial food. After that I started making my own home made recipe and they are thriving on it. In a large turkey fry pot, I put in one bag of chicken quarters 8~10 quarters costs about $5 at Wal Mart. After they boil about two hours on medium i pull them out and clean the meat off the bone and set aside. Next in the broth I cook 1 med bag of black beans and 1 med bag of red kidney beans. As the beans near ready I add a medium bag of brown rice and let it cook. As the rice is close to done I add 2 small bags mixed frozen vegetables and two cans chopped spinach. After about 10 more minutes I add 1 small box of oatmeal. You have to play with the water level but by the time you add the oatmeal and it cooks you want most of the water absorbed. After all this is ready mix in the chopped up chicken back in. Buy some small reusable plastic bowls and freeze what you won't use in a day or two. The other needs to be refrigerated until ready. Lightly warm in microwave and serve. They love it!
I am glad to see that you took the initiative to take care of your dogs health; it's nice to know that I am not alone with my "way of thinking." I wanted to add a side note for you though...Try avoiding canned vegetables and/or fruit because they have no nutritional value left. It is only good as a filler. Also, with some of the research I've done I have found out that when you microwave food it changes the molecules in such a way that the food becomes toxic to the body. By all means, don't take my word for it; do some research for yourself. Microwaves should be avoided if possible.
I wish you the best of luck with your dogs' health.
Posted by krisanne (Birch Run, Michigan) on 03/15/2008
To everyone who has a dog or cat with seizures, I'm sorry for that, it's the worst. I have a seven year old German Shepard that started having them when she turned two. I took her to the vet and they put her on medicine, that "might harm her liver over time" I gave her the pills for three years, with still a few seizures. One day I went into PetSmart and was talking to the salesperson about animals,when it led into my shepard and her problem. She told me that her boxer had them to and that there is an additive in dog food called BHT or BHD that is found to bring on seizures.In amazement and anger I decieded to buy a dog food without this additive in to see if it was true and if it would help. I bought a very expensive bag of food that cost $39.99 a bag, not caring as long as it was true. Long story short, it's true! After that I started searching around for a reasonable priced bag of food because we have a 102lb.not fat just big,Golden Retriever too,and they eat alot! I found a great bag of food at Tractor Supply called Diamond brand food. Just look on the back of your food bag if you see the three letters BHD or BHT,I really can't remember the exact three letters but it starts with a B. If it's in there I would change. Even some of the brands you think would be O.K. are not. Please try this it has been great with her not having seizuers any more. Good Luck I hope it helps.
Posted by Pauline Dennison (Citrus Heights, California) on 01/08/2008
Just wanted everyone to know, that is has now been OVER a year, since I have put my Peke on a ALL Natural Diet. NO STORE BOUGHT dog food. Since my dog has had Bladder Stone problems, I have had to reduce her protein levels, give her veggies, with organic brown rice. AND, I topped it off with ACV. She gets a teaspoon daily with her food..and is in the BEST EXCELLENT condition she has ever been. I have recommended MANY MANY dog people to go onto this web site, and consider changing thier dogs diet, if they are having problems. I AM SO HAPPY..that my Dottie is in the best health EVER. Thank you Earth Clinic
Posted by barb haven (WINDSOR, canada) on 12/01/2007
I routinely use 1(med) clove of garlic in a 2 litre stewpot that yeilds 72 oz of dog food. consisting of 2 cups brown rice, 2-3 small potatoes, 3 carrots, 1 tbsp rosemary, 1 stalk celery, 1tbsp basil, 1/4 can chick peas, 1 med zucchini, or broccoli and two apples, I sometimes include 1/8 cup cottage cheese, to this I add' a ratio of 1/3 pureed mixture of either beef or chicken liver, chicken gizards and hearts. In additional after cooked I sprinkle in 2 tbsp of a 2:1 ratio of calcium/phosphorus supplement, which also includes proteins, fats,vitamins, minerals and advanced micro -nutrients. Am I overdoing it by adding the calcium vitamin supplement?
It shocks me that people blindly went about feeding their dogs garbage from discount stores and grocery stores and were then shocked to find out what was in that food. We had only to pick up the package and look. It was all there to see...corn, wheat, soy...all the things that cause terrible skin, eye, ear and even mouth allergies and chimcals that cause cancer and other problems. Feeding the same food day after day, year after year will hurt your dog. That packaged food in dicount and grocery stores is like feeding your dogs big macs every day..they taste great but will kill them. There's very little nutrition in them and it usually shows up on the skin..hot spots, sores, odor, needing frequent baths. Runny eyes, smeely ears that have problems. Then, cancer or some other disease. It's easy to feed them right, feed them like you eat. Mine get whatever I'm having, minus certain things that are bad for them, like onions, chocolate, grapes, etc., but they gets lot of veggies, meat, raw and cooked, chicken, pasta, eggs, yogurt (they love fruit flavored, all this and a very high quality kibble that uses nothing but human grade bison and lamb and fish. Mine love sardines, although now I worry about where the come from (China?) and salmon and all kinds of fish. Feeding a dog is exactly like feeding yourself. Mix it up and give them a big variety. Cats too...cats are bigger carnivores than dogs and the perfect diet for a cat is mice. Literally. Meat..not fish. Read the ingredients, never buy anything with corn, wheat or soy or "flavorings" or anyting that comes from the grocery store or discount store. Most independent dog food stores and some health food stores carry good dog food. Buy that and then feed your dog all the things that are good for you and mix it all up in their food. They will live long happy lives and their skin problems will go away. I always supplement with flax see oil or fish oil, I do not use extra vitamins becuase the food I buy is so high quality it has all that in it. Just do your homework. And stay away from vaccines after age 1.
I think a great deal more dog food is bad than is being reported. I've known several people at work who have had young dogs die unexpectedly. The food they had wasn't on the list. Stick with organic, human grade food, or human food.
I am a VEGAN, and believe wholeheartedly in Vegan Diet for Dogs👍
Tamara
Animal Advocate🌱🐾
"The Longest Living Vegan Dog Bramble was a Border Collie who was recognized as the oldest living dog by the Guinness World Records. Bramble was born on April 10,1981 and lived to be 27 years old." VeganDogs May Live Long…
So I noticed you listed that you are an animal advocate. If you truly had the best intentions as an animal advocate, you would want the best for that animal. Which means as close to natural life as possible. Which does not mean vegan in a carnivore species.
I am sure that you mean well but are letting personal bias enter your decision making.
Thank you for your input. I agree with you. Most legumes are used as fillers, and canine digestive systems just 'move them out'. Dogs do much better on high protein like fish and chicken.
Posted by Asdzaan (Tempe, AZ) on 01/21/2015 2 posts
I adopted my 7+ years old chihuahua (chiweenie?) Brutus after finding him abandoned in an open field. His nails were trimmed and fairly clean overall so he was not in the field for very long. He was not neutered so he may have been used for reproductive purposes.
The problem is his tendency to eat/attack his meals with so much gusto that he makes snorting noises and often chokes on his food. The food goes up his nose and he blows or spits it out once or twice. Afterwards he often makes long and loud snorts in and out as if food is stuck up his nostrils, then he flicks/lick his nose area and his bedding until there is a huge wet spot. He acts panicky and I try to massage his nose outwardly hoping to help dislodge the food. Is there anything I can do to help him? Could I use a baby's bulb syringe?
Posted by Suseeq (Sydney, Australia) on 01/21/2015
Azdzaan, it sounds like your dog eats his food too quickly. May I suggest to you to put a little bit of food into each hole of a patty cake pan which will slow him down good luck.
The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.
About Theresa
Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.
Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.
Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.
-----------------------------
How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation
If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.
I agree that your dog may be eating too fast - wolfing his food down and getting some into his sinuses. There are ways to slow him down - food cubes where he has to work one piece of kibble out at a time to eat, the muffin pan idea is excellent as well. You might also consider hand feeding him; make him work for each piece of kibble by doing a sit/stay - down/stay - come - heel, etc. Hand feeding each piece of kibble goes a long way at creating a very obedient dog to boot!
My five month old BC poops at least 3 x after each meal and I feed him 1 cup of dry food in am, 1/2 cup noon and 1 cup dinner. This is puppy size high quality food. I mix 1 tablespoon of canned pumpkin. The stools are normal and not diarrhea. I took him to the vet who wanted to put him on the food she sells. I did this and it constipated him. So, I have him back on the high quality food. Vet said he should poop within 45 minutes after eating and that would be all (3 to 4x per day).
I have had my new now 13 wk old puppy on EN as prescribed by the Vet. The diarrhea is gone, but he goes to the bathroom a lot! I feed him 1 cup 3 x per day mixed with a teaspoon of pumpkin. He poops probably 3 times after each meal. He will go before bedtime, wake up around 1am go again and than again at 6am. When I asked the vet they said I should be feeding only morning and evening which I disagree with as every dog food package and article states puppies need more. Any suggestions? I have tried other grain free foods but they were causing the diarrhea
The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.
About Theresa
Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.
Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.
Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.
-----------------------------
How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation
If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.
IMHO you are feeding your puppy way too much!! No wonder the concentrated protein grain free foods are giving your pup the runs - your BC is eating as if he were an adult Great Dane!
I agree that you should feed a puppy three meals a day, but right around 4 months their metabolism changes so they need far fewer calories than they did at 8 weeks because they are over their major growth spurt.
If this were my dog I would cut it back to one half cup portions - try three feedings a day and consider going to two depending on your comfort level. Do this first and check stool consistency. If there are still multiple stools after a feeding cut it back to one third a cup; if there is only one scant stool after feeding the half cup portion, then try increasing it to two thirds cup: fiddle with it until you find the right amount. As an adult your dog may get one cup am and pm -unless he is *actively worked* on a daily basis chasing sheep from sun up to sun down, which in that case you may end up feeding 2 cups am and pm - but for right now cut back on portion size and monitor stools.
Greetings, I own an 11 year old Westie. I don't vaccinate him (except rabies) and don't use any chemicals to rid him of fleas. He has a beautiful dense coat. But, he can not tolerate any food except chicken breast with white rice (barely). He always has a soft stool on this diet, which is very discouraging. I have tried to eliminate the white rice. When this is attempted he gets very gassy and then gets diarrhea. Due to the white rice he does have a bad yeast infection in one of his paws and depending on the season can get very itchy ears. Lastly, my poor dear also get a crustitis on his lips which makes his canines hang over. My number one concern is his diet. I have tried plain yogurt and pure pumpkin. But after a few days it seems to catch up with his sensitive belly and then gets diarrhea. I would like to replace the rice perhaps with something more tolerable to have with the chicken breasts? Any suggestions would be most appreciated. Many thanks!!
Posted by Kathryn4 (Owings, Md.) on 03/29/2013 ★★★★★
To replace a meal I give my dog a raw marrow bone to chew on. It cleans his teeth and the vet said she never saw a dog's teeth as fine as mine. Remember to clean out the marrow or most of it else your dog could get the runs.
Sorry, that I have not gotten back to this question, I get raw marrow bones at our grocery store from the butcher. I scrape out 95% of the marrow as too much of this can gives some dogs diarrhea. He chews and vet always says how good his teeth look. Actually I use it as a meal replacement once a week.
Posted by Aida (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) on 08/19/2012
Hi, need some advise. It is okay for a six months old persian kitten ate cakes, cookies and spicy food? I try to give my kitten to eat blackwood kitten kibbles but its dislike instead she ate adult blackwood. She like to eats our foods too. Please advise as I am not sure how?
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