I smell hamburger

If you are new to cooking for your dog hamburger is a good place to start.  Drain off the excess grease and rinse under hot water to remove as much grease as possible.

You can add a bit of hamburger to kibble as a tasty topping. They will love the taste of yummy protein since most kibble is high in carbohydrates. This will allow you to gradually work over a week or so to add in other real foods like cooked or pureed vegetables.  With summer in full swing the possibilities are endless....zucchini, yellow squash, carrots, potatoes, cucumber, green beans, blueberries, strawberries, peaches (pits removed), pears, apples (no seeds), etc...

Woof Woof Patties

1/2 lb. ground beef, leanest available

1/4 C. cheese, shredded

1 egg, beaten

1 sprig parsley, minced

Mix all ingredients thoroughly.  Shape into patties, and brown on both sides until done.

Malamute Meat Loaf
3/4 lb. ground beef, leanest available

3/4 C. bread crumbs
1/3 C. cheese, shredded
1/4 C. carrot, shredded
(or other vegetable of your dogs liking)
1/4 tsp. Italian seasoning
(without garlic, onion or salt)
1 egg, beaten
5 1/4 oz. (1/2 a can) of tomato sauce
Preheat oven to 350.  Mix beef, bread crumbs, cheese, carrot (or other vegetable) and seasoning.  Combine egg and tomato sauce, mix into meat.  Shape into a loaf and place in a baking dish.  Bake for 1 hour or until browned and done.  Drain off excess grease.

If your dog can not tolerate beef you could substitute ground turkey, lamb, or chicken. 

What are you cooking for your canine family?

Foods Toxic to Dogs

While feeding real foods to dogs can provide valuable nutrients and increase health and the pleasure of eating it's important to know which foods to avoid. Some foods can be dangerous and even toxic if consumed by the dog.

These foods should never be fed to any dog:

• Alcohol
  
• Apple seeds
• Apricot pits
• Avocados
• Bones
• Caffeine
  
• Cherry pits
• Chocolate
• Candy/Gum (containing the sweetener Xylitol)
• Coffee (grounds, beans, chocolate covered espresso beans)
• Garlic
  
• Grapes
• Hops (used in home beer brewing)
• Macadamia nuts
• Moldy foods
• Mushroom plants
• Mustard seeds
• Onions and onion powder
• Peach pits
• Potato leaves and stems (green parts)
• Raisins
• Rhubarb leaves
• Salt
• Tea (caffeine)
• Tomato leaves and stems (green parts)
• Walnuts
• Xylitol ( found in candy and gum)
  
• Yeast Dough

This list was compiled from several sources including the ASPCA and The Humane Society of the United States. This list may not be a complete list of all the foods that can be harmful to a dog as each dog is an individual and may react differently. If you have any questions consult your veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist.

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/people-foods.html
http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/foods_poisonous_to_pets.html

Be cautious if you purchase any canine cookbooks as some of them do include ingredients from this list. I have seen them include raisins which are toxic to dogs. I have seen them include onions or avocado both of which are on the above list. Please do your research on foods that can be harmful to dogs. If you purchase any cookbooks make sure to avoid adding any ingredients that could be harmful.

Would you eat the same food every day for your entire life?

This is an important question to ask. Would you eat the same food everyday for your entire life?

What would your reaction be if you walked into the grocery store and the shelves were lined with boxes of food labeled infant food, toddler food, pre-teen food, teenager food, pre-adult food, adult food, active adult food, mature food, and those were your only choices? But, the labels claim to provide a complete and balanced diet. How can that be when we are all individuals with different nutritional requirements.

When you have a dog with numerous allergies both environmental and food and begin reading labels and researching dog food companies trying to find one that hasn't been part of the 2007 recall it becomes a struggle to find a food that meets all the requirements you are looking for.

This is where the simple art of cooking and baking come in. We do it everyday for ourselves and our families so why not plan those meals with the four legged family members in mind too.

Kibble only came onto the scene in the early 1900's even though it was first created in the mid-1800's. That means dogs ate "human food" which I find an interesting term..."human food" since humans are not the only beings that consume meat, fruits and and vegetables.

I would have to say that feeding live food is much healthier than feeding a dry dehydrated kibble that has been chocked full of artificial ingredients. I wouldn't want to eat a dry kibble and after watching our dogs eat "human food" vs dog food the winner paws down is "human food".

The whole family (dogs are family) are eating much healthier. Meats, fruits, vegetables and some grains.