5 Healthy Recipes for Your Dog

The pet food industry has been selling consumers a whole lot of toxic foods, if Ann N. Martin, author of Foods Pets Die For: Shocking Facts about Pet Food, is to be believed. For example, did you know that unless you take home your deceased pet and either cremate or bury them yourself, your vet sells them to pet food companies? Or that much of the ingredients in dog food is fecal matter, restaurant waste–such as styrofoam trays and diseased animals? Is it any wonder why our dogs and cats are starting to develop the same illnesses as humans?

According to animal trainer and author Pamela Dennison, once she had learned what was really in dog food, she switched to feeding her dogs a mostly raw food diet. Making sure that your dog receives a balance of protein, essential fatty acids, carbohydrates, vegetables, fruits, vitamins and minerals from your home cooking may prove a challenge, but here are 5 recipes you can easily prepare to support your pets health.

Pumpkin Sardine Dinner (Makes 5 cups)
1 29-ounce can pumpkin (alternate with cooked butternut squash or sweet potato)
1 cup frozen spinach, defrosted
1/3 cup flaxseed meal
2 3.75-ounce cans sardines (water packed, drained)

Combine ingredients in a glass bowl and mix well using either a potato masher or a large fork to ensure breaking down the sardines. Cover and refrigerate between servings.

Banana Yogurt Smoothie (Makes 1 cup)
1/2 ripe banana, peeled
¼ cup blueberries
½ cup unsweetened yogurt
1 teaspoon honey
1 tablespoon flaxseed meal

Mash together ingredients in a bowl and serve immediately.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Lupe G.

10:52AM PDT on Apr 17, 2013

I will have to try some of this. I already make tons of goodies for my puppy out of fruits, yogurt & peanut butter

April 17
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Joe S.

1:36PM PST on Dec 11, 2011

Thanks for sharing.

December 11
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June C.

5:15AM PDT on Jul 19, 2011

DALE B........could you please list the measurements for the weekly recipe that you feed your dogs? and what is the serving size per dog of this meal? and one more question.....when you cook it in the pot, what is it cooked in? oil? water? Thanks.....I have a dog with skin allergies and I have not yet found a diet that works for her....i've been using IAM's for several years but I had no idea what actually was in the store bought dog foods other than what they tell you on the nutrition box. I'm hoping that a better diet will improve her skin and coat. Thank you

July 19
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Rachel H.

6:21PM PDT on May 20, 2011

Elk antlers are the best. antler dog chews

May 20
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Jack P.

6:02AM PST on Feb 28, 2011

Nice info

February 28
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Dale B.

7:39PM PST on Dec 9, 2010

Nat, You are right, garlic is on the list (ASPCA & peteducation.com) of foods not to feed your dog. But, a little used for flavoring is not harmful. I found this out because peteducation.com parent company (Doctors. Foster & Smith) has a little garlic in their food even though it's on their list of food not to feed your dog. I emailed them and they told me a little garlic is not harmful.

I have been cooking for my 8 dogs for the past 5 years and their health is amazing. Each week in a very large pot I cook:
brown rice, lentils, oatmeal, 2 cans of wild salmon, chicken, 18 eggs, ground up egg shells (calcium), broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, bananas, blueberries and olive oil.

December 9
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Madelyn A.

8:52AM PST on Nov 18, 2010

And we sell deer antlers- my Boston is crazy about his. He gets minerals while he's eating and it leaves no mess for me. Lasts a LOT longer than his chew toys

November 18
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8:50AM PST on Nov 18, 2010

If you would like to add extra nutrients to your homemade dog food, try BirkDale PetMix- with a variety of herbs, vegetables, vitamins, and good whole grains and proteins (NO WHEAT!! NO PRESERVATIVES!), this will make your pet healthier and happier. http://www.orionhealthypet.com/

We also have supplements with hot-water extracted medicinal mushrooms for dogs with cancer. http://www.k9criticalcare.com/brands/BirkDale-Medicinals.html

Ryan G.

12:44PM PST on Nov 7, 2010

Here's a link to OPCs:

http://www.marketamerica.com/ryangagliardi/sku-5602/beef-flavor-single-container_approximately_90_servings.htm?refEmail=2C243103242B3F3E240E204958362F02333C43352C06

November 7
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12:42PM PST on Nov 7, 2010

Great article. Very informative. I give my dog oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs). Powerful antioxidants that prevent free-radicals and support overall health. It also has Glucosamine for joints. Great for dogs and cats. Humans should be on OPCs as well. Check it out!