EASY-TO-MAKE RECIPES FOR PET FOOD

By Dr. Richard H. Pitcairn and Susan Hubble Pitcairn

Reprinted from: Dr. Pitcairn's New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats.
© Copyright 2007. Permission granted by Rodale, Inc., Emmaus, PA 18098.

...Now it’s time to really talk turkey--to show you a variety of delicious, well-balanced recipes for feeding your animals. Fixing fresh, nutritious meals for pets is very little trouble once you get the hang of it. Many people even find it fun, especially when the concoction meets with the enthusiastic approval of an eager eater.

To ensure the best nutritional content, I again remind you to follow the recipes fairly closely. Do, however, use a variety of grains, meats, and vegetables rather than sticking to the same formula every time.

Where possible, the recipes very much exceed the minimal requirements usually recommended for feeding animals. It is my opinion that “minimum” is not the same as “optimal,” and I prefer that both dogs and cats have more protein and fat than available in commercial foods. For example, the minimum recommended requirement for dogs is 18 percent protein and 5 percent fat--yet the natural diet of wolves is around 54 percent protein and 43 percent fat (as fed at the San Diego Zoo). Big difference.

A frequent question I’ve tried to resolve over the years is how much to feed. The difficulty in giving specific amounts is that food quantity is extremely variable depending on what the food makeup is (especially fat content), the size and age of the animal, and its level of activity. Just consider the difference between the small Yorkie weighing 12 pounds and having almost no exercise and the 65-pound sled dog that is pulling heavy loads all day.

What I have found to be the most reliable approach is to feed what seems to be a reasonable amount, enough to satisfy the dog or cat in 20 minutes or so (not leaving food out during the day), and then monitor body weight.

A simple indicator: You should be able to feel your pet’s ribs easily as you slide your hand over his sides; if you can’t, he’s probably too heavy, so begin to feed a smaller quantity. Visible ribs usually mean the opposite, and you need to feed more. In cases of obesity, use the weight-loss recipes in the next chapter.

If you have a number of animals, you will, of course, need to multiply the recipe amounts accordingly.

Booster Mixes for Dog Kibble

Let’s start with something simple: three fresh food combos that you can add to a good-quality dog kibble, such as those sold at natural food stores. If you’re not ready to jump whole hog into the home-prepared diet, or if you have several large dogs, these shortcuts offer a convenient way to provide many of the benefits of fresh foods and nutritious supplements and still maintain nutritional balance.

By adding fresh meat, dairy products, vegetable oil, and food supplements, you boost your dog’s intake of quality protein, fatty acids, lecithin, B vitamins and minerals--all helpful for skin and coat problems.

Resist any temptation to simplify these additions by just throwing a slab of meat or a dash of oil on the kibble rather than following the recipes as given. Meat is dramatically low in calcium as compared with its phosphorus content, so using meat alone could result in a net dietary calcium deficiency. That’s why a calcium supplement is added to the recipes. Extra oil by itself is also counterproductive, as it will lower the overall percentage of protein and every other nutrient in the kibble, which may already contain a marginal amount of the essentials.

As with other recipes, you can always premix larger amounts of these supplements and freeze extras, thawing and using them as needed.

Here is the idea behind these supplements. I start with the likely minimum values present in many dog kibbles, e.g., 18 percent protein, 9 percent fat (or less), and about 67 percent carbohydrate (grains and vegetable products). Then I add in the good things I want you to add--fresh meat, vegetable oil, and vitamins--then balance for calcium and phosphorus. Of course a better quality, higher protein product will bump up the amounts, but likely not significantly (most commercial foods are not very high in protein or fat).

Here’s the first one.

Fresh Meat Supplement for Dog Kibble
3 pounds (6 cups) chopped or ground raw turkey*, chicken, lean hamburger, lean chuck, or lean beef heart
1/4 cup vegetable oil (cold pressed, organic)
1 tablespoon Healthy Powder (page 53)
1 1/2 teaspoons Group I** bone meal
1 tablespoon Animal Essentials calcium
(or Group III† equivalent for 3,000 mg calcium)
50–200 IU vitamin E
5,000 IU vitamin A with 200 IU vitamin D
(or alternate regularly with Fresh Egg Supplement, page 64)

Mix the oil, powder, bone meal, and vitamins together. Then combine the mixture with the meat, coating it well. At mealtime, feed about 6 tablespoons of this mixture for every cup of dog kibble served. You can either mix the meat supplement and kibble together or serve each separately. Yield: Slightly more than 6 cups.
* I assumed using whole turkey for my calculations in this recipe. Once mixed with kibble, it yields at least 30 percent protein, 20 percent fat, and 50 percent carbohydrate. Look at “Protein, Fat, and Carbohydate Content of Various Meats” on page 86, to see how proteins in various meats compare. Notice that the protein in whole turkey is half that of lean hamburger. You can, however, substitute meats without concern in this recipe supplement--if you prefer to keep the protein lower, then use correspondingly less of the higher-protein meats.
** Calcium and phosphorus in bone meal products vary. See the “Table of Calcium Supplementation Products” on page 67 to compare brands. I have grouped bone meal products into Group I, Group II, and Group III as a way of working with them in the recipes. If you use a brand from Group II in this recipe, then double the amount of bone meal indicated.
† If you are using the pure calcium from Animal Essentials instead of bone meal, use 2 teaspoons of Animal Essentials and add 2 tablespoons of brewer’s yeast to the recipe. If you are using one of the other sources of calcium from Group III, then adjust the amounts accordingly. If you are using another calcium source than is listed here, the total amount of calcium added in this recipe = 5,500 mg (5.5 grams).

Cottage Cheese Supplement for Dog Kibble
Cottage cheese is an inexpensive, convenient, and palatable source of protein that can boost the nutritional value of kibble.
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 1/2 teaspoons Healthy Powder (page 53)
1 teaspoon Group I bone meal*
5,000 IU vitamin A with 200 IU vitamin D
2 cups creamed cottage cheese
1/2 cup vegetables (optional)

* See “Table of Calcium Supplementation Products” on page 67. If Group II bone meals are used, double the recipe amount. You can also skip the bone meal and instead use 1 teaspoon Animal Essentials calcium. If you are using another calcium source than is listed here, the total amount of calcium added in this recipe = 2,000 mg (2 grams).
Mix the oil in the kibble. Toss in the powder and bone meal, coating the kibble; add the vitamin A. Serve the cottage cheese and vegetables together on the side, or mix them into the kibble. Add about 4 tablespoons per cup of kibble.Yield: About 2 3/4 cups

Mixed with kibble, it results in a combined food of at least 20 percent protein, 10 percent fat, and 60 percent carbohydrate. This is considerably lower in protein and fat than the meat supplement in the preceding recipe and is more suitable for the dog or cat that needs a lower protein diet or does not react well to a food that is too rich.

Fresh Egg Supplement for Dog Kibble
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon Healthy Powder (page 53)
1 1/2 teaspoons Group I bone meal*
50–200 IU vitamin E
4 large eggs

* See “Table of Calcium Supplementation Products” on page 67. If Group II bone meals are used, double the recipe amount. If you wish to avoid using bone meal, skip that ingredient and instead add 1 teaspoon of Animal Essentials calcium. If you are using another calcium source (from Group III calcium supplements), the total amount of calcium added in this recipe = 2,500 mg (2.5 grams). Mix ingredients together. At mealtime, add about 2 tablespoons per cup of kibble. Use the eggs raw.Yield: 1 1/2 cups

Once mixed with kibble, this boosts the values to at least 20 percent protein, 10 percent fat, and 70 percent carbohydrate.

BASIC RECIPES FOR DOGS:

The following recipes are meant to form the mainstay of the fresh, home-prepared diet for dogs. See “Nutritional Composition of Recipes for Dogs” on page 68 for nutritional data on each recipe. Each recipe indicates how many cups to feed adult dogs of different breed sizes.

The weight range for each group is defined as follows:
•Toy: up to 15 pounds
•Small: 15 to 30 pounds
•Medium: 30 to 60 pounds
•Large: 60 to 90 pounds
•Giant: over 90 pounds

Amounts to feed will vary according to activity level, ingredient substitutions, weather, and so on. Let your dog’s appetite and weight be the ultimate gauge.

Doggie Oats
Oats are a good choice of grain for pets. Not only are oats quick-cooking, but they contain more protein per calorie than any other common grain. It’s best, though, to add some variety by substituting other grains at times (as recommended), because each grain varies in its amino acid composition and its vitamin and mineral levels. This versatile maintenance recipe for adult dogs provides a protein level of 33 percent (using turkey with the oats) and 30 percent fat. Substituting tofu for turkey lowers the protein and fat content considerably.

5 cups raw rolled oats (about 11 cups cooked)
3 pounds (6 cups) raw whole, ground, or chopped turkey
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup cooked vegetables (or less if raw and grated--may be omitted occasionally)
6 tablespoons (rounded 1/3 cup) Healthy Powder (page 53)
4 teaspoons Group I bone meal*
10,000 IU vitamin A (optional if using carrots)
400 IU vitamin E
1 teaspoon tamari soy sauce or 1/4 teaspoon iodized salt (optional)
1–2 cloves garlic, crushed or minced (optional)

* See “Table of Calcium Supplementation Products” on page 67. If Group II bone meals are used, double the recipe amount. The amount of calcium contributed by bone meal = 5,600 mg (5.6 grams).
Bring about 10 cups of water to a boil. Add the oats, cover, and turn off the heat, letting the oats cook for 10 to 15 minutes, or until soft. Don’t stir while cooking or the oats will become mushy. Then combine with the remaining ingredients and serve.
Yield: About 18–19 cups, with about 230 kilocalories per cup.
Daily ration (in cups): Toy--1 to 2; small--about 4; medium--6 to 7; large--about 8; giant--9+.

You can make substitutions in this recipe by using a different grain or meat (or both). See “Food Ingredient Substitutions” on page 74, for guidance. Varying the recipe to include different ingredients insures you have not overlooked some important nutrient and prevents deficiencies.

If you use oats or bulgur, you may occasionally substitute either of the following for each pound of meat: 1 pint cottage cheese plus 4 eggs, or 16 ounces of tofu plus 4 eggs. Add the eggs while the grain is still hot so they’ll set slightly for the best texture. See the next chapter for more vegetarian recipes suitable for dogs.

Mini Doggie Oats
For your convenience, here is the previous recipe, divided by 1/4.
1 1/4 cups raw rolled oats
3/4 pound (1 1/2 cups) raw whole, ground, or chopped turkey
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/4 cup cooked vegetables (or less if raw and grated--may be omitted occasionally)
1 1/2 tablespoons Healthy Powder (page 53)
1 teaspoon Group I bone meal (see previous recipe)
2,500 IU vitamin A (optional if using carrots)
100 IU vitamin E
1/4 teaspoon tamari soy sauce or a pinch of iodized salt (optional)
1/2 clove garlic, crushed or minced (optional)
Yield: About 5 cups, with 230 kilocalories per cup.
Daily ration: Same as for Doggie Oats (above).

Dog Loaf
This recipe uses egg as a binder; you can either serve it raw or bake it like a meat loaf, with bread crumbs or other grains. As presented here, with these ingredients, it is about 30 percent protein, 25 percent fat, and 42 percent carbohydrates. Depending on which meat and grain you use, the amounts of each ingredient will vary within acceptable ranges. The egg provides adequate vitamin A, plus there is vitamin A in the vegetables.

1/2 pound (1 cup) fairly lean beef chuck (low fat)
6 slices whole-wheat bread, crumbled (about 3 cups)
1 cup whole milk
2 large eggs
1/4 cup cooked corn or other vegetables (can be omitted occasionally)
1 tablespoon Healthy Powder (page 53)
1 teaspoon of Animal Essentials calcium (or a generous 1/2 teaspoon of powdered egg shell)*
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
100 IU vitamin E
1/4 teaspoon tamari soy sauce or dash of iodized salt (optional)
1 small clove garlic, crushed or minced (optional)

* These provide 1000 mg calcium from the Group III calcium supplements. See information on calcium supplements in “Table of Calcium Supplementation Products” on page 67. If you use one of the other sources of calcium from the Group III calcium supplements, provide 1000 mg.
Combine all ingredients, adding water, if needed, to make a nice texture. Serve raw. Or press the mixture into a casserole dish so it’s 1 to 2 inches thick and bake at 350°F for 20 to 30 minutes, or until set and lightly browned.
If you use a moist grain and don’t bake the mixture, you may choose to serve the milk separately rather than combine it in the mix. Another alternative is to mix 1/4 cup powdered milk right into the recipe.
Yield: About 5 1/2 cups, at 200 kilocalories per cup.
Daily ration: About the same (or slightly more) as amounts for Doggie Oats (page 65).
Beef substitutes: Try ground or chopped chicken, turkey, medium chuck, or hamburger instead of the beef in this recipe. Beef or chicken liver may be used once in a while, but not on a regular basis.

One-on-One
Here’s a truly inspired recipe, easy to remember and easy to multiply because it uses exactly one unit of each ingredient! It is also economical and ecologically sound, deriving part of its protein from beans. This recipe, using hamburger, contains 32 percent protein, 17 percent fat, and 47 percent carbohydrates. The amounts will vary somewhat depending on what meats are used. For example, the protein will be about 15 percent less with turkey or chicken, but, significantly, those meats will be about 70 percent lower in fat. To make up the difference, add extra fat in the form of lard, butter, or vegetable oil. (See the table “Protein, Fat, and Carbohydrate Content of Various Meats” on page 86 for more information on meat contents.)

The calcium to phosphorus ratio is acceptable, though a tad on the low side, so use other recipes occasionally to balance this out.
The key to convenience in this recipe is to cook large quantities of beans in advance. Follow the cooking directions on the package. Freeze extra quantities in 1-cup containers (or appropriate multiples if you increase the recipe) and thaw as needed. The main version uses rice because it’s a grain many people use in their own menus, but the other grain choices listed are higher protein and, for the most part, faster cooking.

1 cup brown rice (or 2 1/4 cups cooked)
1 cup ( 1/2 pound) lean hamburger (or turkey, chicken, lean heart, or lean chuck)
1 cup cooked kidney beans (about half of a 15-ounce can)
1 tablespoon Healthy Powder (page 53)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon Group I bone meal (or 2 teaspoons Group II bone meals)*
1 10,000 IU vitamin A and D capsule
1 400–800 IU vitamin E capsule
1 teaspoon tamari soy sauce or dash of iodized salt (optional)
1 small clove garlic, crushed or minced (optional)

* See information on calcium supplements in “Table of Calcium Supplementation Products” on page 67. The amount of calcium added from the bone meal sources is 1,500 mg (1.5 grams).
Bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add the rice and simmer for 35 to 45 minutes. Mix in the other ingredients and serve.
Yield: About 4 1/2 cups, at 250 kilocalories per cup.
Daily ration (in cups): Toy--a little less than 2 cups; small--about 4 cups; medium--6 to 7 cups; large--about 8 cups; giant--9 to 10 cups.
If you want to boost the protein content a little, add one large egg or 1 tablespoon of nutritional yeast.
Grain substitutes: Instead of rice, you may use (with the highest protein versions listed first) 2 cups rolled oats (+ 4 cups water = 4 cups cooked); 1 cup bulgur (+ 2 cups water = 2 1/2 cups cooked); 1 cup millet (+ 3 cups water = 3 cups cooked); 1 1/2 cups cornmeal (+ 4 cups water = 4 cups cooked); or 1 cup barley (+ 2 to 3 cups water = 2 1/2 to 3 cups cooked).
Bean substitutes: You may use one cup, of cooked soybeans, pintos, black beans, or white (navy) beans instead of kidney beans. Soybeans have the most protein.

Fast and Fresh: Dogs
Here are three really simple recipes for those inevitable occasions when you have an eager eater nudging you, and you suddenly discover that you’re all out of dog food, both home-prepared and commercial. These recipes are not meant to serve as regular fare, but they do provide a fairly complete meal made of basic items you’re likely to have on hand. You can feed them to your pooch up to two or three times a week.

Note: You may also feed any of the basic cat recipes (page 75) to dogs. They contain more protein than dogs require, but that’s no problem unless your dog is on a low-protein diet because of kidney troubles.

Quick Canine Oats and Eggs
1 cup raw rolled oats (or 2 cups cooked oatmeal)
4 large eggs
2 tablespoons Healthy Powder (page 53)
1 teaspoon Animal Essentials calcium (or a slightly rounded 1/2 teaspoon of powdered eggshell or 1,000 mg of calcium from another Group III calcium supplement)*
* See information on calcium supplements in “Table of Calcium Supplementation Products” on page 67.

Bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add the oats, cover, and turn off the heat, letting the oats cook in the hot water for about 10 minutes, or until soft. (Use extra oatmeal from your own breakfast or else make some up.) Then stir in the eggs, Healthy Powder, and calcium. Let the eggs set slightly from the heat, then cool for a few minutes before serving.
Yield: About 3 cups, at 230 kilocalories per cup.
Daily ration: Same as for Doggie Oats (page 65). (Makes one meal, or a half-day’s ration, for a medium size dog. Double the recipe to make breakfast for a giant size dog.)
Grain substitutes: Instead of oats, you may use 1/2 cup bulgur (+ 1 cup water = 1 1/4 cups cooked) or 1/2 cup whole-wheat couscous (+ 3/4 cup water = 1 1/4 cups cooked).

Quick Canine Oatmeal
Here’s another simple recipe that uses only two eggs and may resemble your own breakfast.

2 cups raw rolled oats (or about 4 1/2 cups cooked oatmeal)
2 cups 2 percent milk
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon Healthy Powder (page 53)
1 teaspoon Animal Essentials calcium (or a slightly rounded 1/2 teaspoon of powdered eggshell or 1,000 mg of calcium from another Group III calcium supplement)*

* See information on calcium supplements in “Table of Calcium Supplementation Products” on page 67.
Bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the oats, cover, and turn off the heat, letting the oats cook in the hot water for about 10 minutes, or until soft.
Put the oatmeal into your pet’s food bowl. Mix in the Healthy Powder and calcium and top with the milk. In a separate small bowl, stir the egg slightly to blend the yolk and white, and give both to the dog. Or, you may certainly mix it with the oatmeal.
Yield: A little less than 7 cups, with about 160 kilocalories per cup.
Daily ration (in cups): Toy--2 to 3; small--about 6; medium--9 to 10; large--11 to 12;
giant--14+.

(Editor's note: For more recipes, please refer to Dr. Pitcairn's book)

Ideal Dog Food
For dogs, the current AAFCO standards advise a minimum of only 18 percent protein for adult maintenance and 22 percent for reproduction and growth (previous recommendations have been as high as 28 percent for lactation). The minimal level for fat is 5 percent (8 percent for reproduction and growth), although feeding studies have shown dogs can tolerate rations up to 50 percent fat if otherwise adequately nourished.

There is a direct relationship between fat and protein in the diet. The more fat in the diet, the more protein is needed. There are metabolic interactions between the two, and when a diet is fattier, an animal will eat less to assuage its hunger. That’s why a dog can become undernourished if you add oil or meat drippings to its food without increasing the protein, vitamin, and mineral content accordingly.

Dr. Ben E. Sheffy of Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, has developed detailed minimum protein standards for dogs that range from 13 to 37 percent, depending on how much fat is in the diet and upon special needs, such as those described in the next chapter. All of our dog food recipes meet or exceed whichever of the standards is higher--Dr. Sheffy’s or AAFCO’s.

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Dr. Pitcairn's New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats: Over 400,000 copies of this treasured classic have been sold since its original publication more than 20 years ago. The book that is the definitive guide to a natural lifestyle for dogs and cats is now completely updated and revised for the first time in 9 years. Writing with the warmth and compassion that have won them a national following, veterinarian Richard H. Pitcairn and his wife Susan Hubble Pitcairn, noted specialists in chemical-free nutrition and natural healing for pets, show dog and cat owners how to provide the very best in companionship and lifelong care. They now cover environmental matters, including pollutants both inside the home and out, as well as recent hot-button topics, such as Mad Cow disease, Lyme disease, and the West Nile virus. They've updated dozens of recipes for delicious and healthful pet food and treats. With a guide to handling emergencies and an in-depth Quick Reference section, they give specific instructions for preventing, diagnosing, and treating a wide range of animal diseases and disorderswith special attention to homeopathic, herbal, and nutritional remedies.