Switching dog food will happen at least twice in your dog's life: 1) as they transition from puppy to adult, and 2) as they transition from adult to senior dog. You can't just change dog food overnight though! Here are the steps to transition your dog with ease to a new food in 5 or 10 days -- whether you're switching from puppy food to adult dog food, from adult food to senior dog food, or there's some other reason for you to switch food (like allergies, weight issues, health concerns, etc.)
Switching dog food will happen at least twice in your dog's life: 1) as they transition from puppy to adult, and 2) as they transition from adult to senior dog. You can't just change dog food overnight though! Here are the steps to transition your dog with ease to a new food in 5 or 10 days -- whether you're switching from puppy food to adult dog food, from adult food to senior dog food, or there's some other reason for you to switch food (like allergies, weight issues, health concerns, etc.)
3 Easy Ways to Keep Your Dachshund Healthy: Give your Doxie the best dog food, Maintain a Healthy feeding schedule, and use Healthy Habits to keep your dachshund happy.
Older dogs need proper nutrition just like younger dogs. Even if older dogs have fewer teeth, they can still eat moistened kibble or wet food.
Certain ingredients, nutrients and supplements can help with your dog's itch. Here are the best dog food for itchy skin.
I know from experience what it's like when your old dog won't eat, and I'm also very familiar with the stress, worry and feelings of helplessness that go along with it.
Just starting to teach a new puppy or having behavior issues with your dog? We cover everything - puppy training, dog ownership tips, and product reviews.
If you've ever wondered how in the world you’re going to brush your dog's teeth yourself, I’ve got SO MANY helpful tips that will make it incredibly easy for you to do! See exactly how to clean your dog's teeth. Handy gadgets that make the process MUCH easier. The difference between plaque and tartar - how to tell which one your dog has (and which one is the most harmful). Plus some scary facts that will become your reality if you DON’T start brushing your dog’s teeth. 80% of dogs have dental disease by age 3 - so it’s crucial that you start now!
Before changing your dog's diet you'll need to speak with your vet. This homemade dog food for kidney disease recipe is a good starting point.
Discover simple and affordable DIY dog food recipes that might make your furry friend’s mealtime exciting. Treat your pup to homemade meals today.
Itchy skin can be caused by a number of reasons. Environmental allergies and a poor diet are two of the most common variables that cause dog's to suffer with itchy, dry skin. The problem could be cured by switching your dog to a homemade dog food for itchy skin, but only your veterinarian can tell you for sure.
So I'm finally posting this dog food recipe after being asked many times. I can't tell you enough how happy I am that I finally started my dog on this recipe as I noticed changes in them immediately! I have a 7 tear old Rottweiler (Nikita shown below with our other guy Levi) that has had shoulder injuries and joint issues since she was 3. Nikita doesn't have hip displasia and the condition comes and goes so we have just tried to take the best care of her that we could. We have always fed our dogs the best food, top quality supplements and fish oils and tried to keep their weight down. We have always been super active so in the last year when her mobility really went down we were at a loss. Some days she was is so much pain and we hadn't even walked her! The Vet said Nikita has arthritis in her shoulder and she needs to lose weight. I was at a loss because she could barely walk at this point so I realized I needed to change the way we were feeding them. I then started doing some serious research online and hit my Natural Remedy Veterinarian Books. This recipe has been adapted from "The Veterinarians Guide To Natural Remedies For Dogs" by Martin Zucker, which is super easy to read and follow and has some great info. I call this Dog Stew because that's what it looks like and tastes like! (I've even eaten it myself for lunch it's pretty good) Original Recipe 8 cups of water I lb of lamb or beef 1 cup of celery 2 cups of carrots 2 cups of spinach, kale or greens 3 cloves of garlic 1 1/2 cups of barley 1/2 cup of rice 1/2 cup of lentils 1 cup of parsley 1 cup of fresh/dried nettles 1/2 cup dried rosehips (seeds removed) Updated Dog Stew Recipe 8 cups of water 1 cups of celery 2 cups of carrots 2 medium zucchini 2 sweet potatoes 2 cups of spinach/kale or greens 3 cloves of garlic 1 1/2 cups of pearl barley or quinoa 1/2 cup lentils 1/2 cup of fresh parsley 1 cup of fresh/dried nettles 1/2 cup dried rosehips or apples or cranberries Combine carrots in a large pot with the water and bring to a boil, then add the barley or quinoa and simmer as you chop and add the rest of the ingredients. You can add more water if needed at the end but it should be quite thick when done. next I usually add the sweet potatoes, squash or zucchini, whatever I have in the house I let these simmer for 5 minutes then add the rest of the ingredients; kale, apples, nettles, peas I then turn off the burner and cover the pot with a lid and let the rest of the ingredients steam. I don't want to boil all of the nutrients out of the food. I let cool on the stove then put into glass sealable bowls for freezing/refrigeration. All of these ingredients are naturally alkaline and anti-inflammatory. I add the rosehips/cranberries/apples for Vitamin C and the Nettles for the minerals and nutrients and they are excellent for joint pain. where to buy nettles and rosehips here: bulk herbs This makes a lot of stew so I let this cool then freeze half at a time, I often even make 2 large pots and freeze them. I mix and match with the ingredients with what I have in the house or garden but try to stay consistent with what I find is the "base" of the recipe, which is the barley, quinoa, minimum of 2 cups of fresh greens, vegetables and the parsley. Other than that I sometimes put in squash in place of carrots and I've used a variety of vegetables, such as, cauliflower, broccoli, bok choy, most cruciferous veggies are good for dogs. Never feed dogs grapes, raisins, avocado, chocolate or macadamia nuts! This is such a beautiful stew! I love giving this to my dogs knowing they are eating well. Plus it makes it super easy to add medications to their food. This whole pot costs around $14 if it's all organic and feeds both my dogs for a week, mixed with dry kibble. I give them 1/2 cup of dry kibble and 1 cup of stew 2X daily and they both look so good and have lost weight. Nikita (Rottweiler) has a very sensitive digestion and usually a lot of gas but on this food her poop has never been so normal looking, solid and consistent and almost no gas. And they love the food! they can't wait for feeding time and it's easy for me to add their supplements to. For Nikita I also add a glucosamine with MSM and a Calcium carbonate supplement. I recommend doing your own research and discussing any changes with your Vet. I would also suggest just starting your dog on the new food regime first then adding supplements one by one with a few weeks in-between so you can see what is working or not. Nikita now has more energy so I can walk her again because with her arthritis she needs to keep moving. Short daily walks keep her fit and keeps her mobile. We also gently stretch her out at home on the floor and give regular massages. When she's having a hard day like when it's extra damp and cold out we just play inside. I try to keep a close eye on her when we walk because she wants to go forever, she has no sense of when she needs to stop and if I overdo it she pays the price limping in pain for 2-5 days after. For these times I give her Arnica homeopathic pellets which seem to heal her up faster and help with the pain and inflammation. I wish I had started all of my dogs on homemade food a long time ago but I always thought it was going to be labour intensive and expensive. It only takes me about 2 hours a week and saves me around $30 a month in food bills for them! (never mind the Vet bills) Plus they are healthier and happier than ever! From now on this is how I will feed all of my dogs, unless I find an even better recipe! I'll keep you posted;) UPDATE ON THIS RECIPE!!! An Update on this recipe... I am now feeding my dogs 3/4 wet homemade dog food to 1/4 dry kibble and make the food without meat so I can rotate different options of protein into each meal. I am using more fish, such as canned salmon and sardines, this helps to keep their weight down and supply omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA that are good for the skin and coat. In addition, they help regulate the immune system and reduce inflammation. I will also add one eggs a couple of times a week, my dogs are 80 and 100lbs so I will add a whole egg per dish of food. Yogurt is also a nice treat for them and good for digestion. Keeping their weight down is always a challenge so I have decreased the barley and lentils to add more quinoa, squash, raw apples and carrots, fresh peas, blueberries and greens. Try different things out on your dogs to see what they like. Never feed dogs grapes, rasins, chocolate, coffee, caffeine, avocado's or macadamia nuts and try to limit fat scraps. Here is a pic of the homeopathic pellets that I have my Rottweiler on that make the biggest difference in her mobility. I started her on 2 pellets 2x day for a month and now keep her on 2 pellets once a day. I have tried to reduce to 3x a week and she started limping. These pellets can be found at most health food stores or try looking online. I use rhus toxicodendron 30c and bryonia alba 30c Remember she is a 100lb Rottweiler so consult your vet or health professional before giving your pet any medications for specific amounts. That's all for now, good luck and keep me posted on any updates or great tips you may have as well.
Trying to find the right puppy feeding schedule and puppy potty routine for your new dog? See why it's important to get your dog peeing and pooping on a regular schedule every day -- and timed perfectly with your dog's feeding schedule. Plus, how to tell when your dog needs to go outside -- specific signs to watch for. I'm going to show you how to set up a daily dog feeding schedule and a dog routine for going outside.
Homemade Dog Food As I get more into the homesteading lifestyle I find more and more things to make instead of buy. We have 2 little chihuahuas, Gus and Felicity, whom I adore so much! I want my little pups to live a happy and healthy life. So I'm opting to start making their dog food. I'm sure the ingredients will vary depending on what is available to me at the time. For this batch of dog food I've used the following: 2 whole chickens (they were in my freezer. These chickens were small and older. They were laying hens at one point. If I were to use a bigger breed then I would have only used 1) 4 hard boiled eggs (shells included because of the calcium they'll provide) Carrots Peas Celery White Rice 2 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar First I took the chickens out of the freezer and put them directly into my roaster. I only added water. I cooked them in the oven at 300 degrees for about 4 hours (I'm estimating. I really didn't keep track. I just kept checking them until they were done). I boiled 4 eggs. I cut up carrots (I was going to grind everything afterwards so I left them bigger. I decided later not to grind so I had to cut the carrots a lot smaller after I cooked them). I added the carrots, peas and water to a stock pot. I realized I had celery in my fridge that needed used up. So I cut that up and added it to the carrots and peas. I cooked the vegetables. Again, I had to cut the carrots smaller after they were cooked. In future I'll do that first. By this point the chickens were done. I took them out of the oven. Let them cool down a little and then removed them from the bone and cute them into small pieces. I cooked the rice (I cooked 2 cups of rice in 4 cups of water) and added that to the vegetables. I added the chicken into the mixture. Next I crushed the eggs. Again, I kept the shell too because of the calcium it contains. I added the eggs to the mixture. Next I added the broth from the chicken I cooked. Finally I added 2 tbsp of Apple Cider Vinegar for the dog's joints. Here's the final product. Finally I bagged up the dog food into quart freezer bags and placed them in the freezer until I'm ready to use them. I divided it into 2 cups per bag. Since I have small dogs I'm going to first go with 1/2 cup per dog per day and may change it depending on if I feel they're gaining too much weight or not enough. The only thing I don't have that I would have liked to have added is Salmon Oil. I usually do have that around because my dogs have dry skin and salmon oil is good for their skin and coat. Plus it contains Omega 3. I'll just get it and add it to their daily meals. I also will occasionally mix in a little bit of plain yogurt to put some good bacteria into their digestive system.
Feeding your older pooch the right food will help keep him healthy and active. Check out our tips for choosing the best senior dog food for healthy joints!
Diabetes in dogs requires close monitoring and proper diet. The foundation of treating diabetes in dogs is a proper diet with the proper carbohydrates.
Can dogs eat turkey? Yes... but they might get an upset stomach. See which Thanksgiving dinner foods are safe for dogs, and which ones aren't. Instead of giving your dog Thanksgiving turkey & all the fixin's, try these easy homemade Thanksgiving dog treats -- to avoid bloat & canine pancreatitis!
Providing fresh, homemade food for your dog is one of the best things that you can do for his health and well-being. Whenever pet owners broach this subject with me, they often bring up how difficult it can be. Yes, creating recipes to meet your dog's nutritional needs can be a challenge. But, this homemade dog food recipe calculator will make the process a little easier.
Besides bringing variety, and a “thrill” to your dog’s taste buds, there are many reasons why you may want to rotate your dog’s food. Why Should I Switch My Dog’s Food? Dog Food Advisor sums it up perfectly, “Since there’s no such thing as a perfect dog food, it’s reasonable to assume every product is
These 20 vegetables for dogs are all safe and highly nutritious. What veggies can dogs eat? What can't they eat.
How will your dog be spending Thanksgiving this year? Chances are, most of our four-legged friends will find themselves smack dab in the middle of the holiday festivities. And many will be on the prowl for turkey treats, table scraps, and dropped food particles! Here's what dogs can and can't eat on Thanksgiving day. Plus lots of fun ways to include your dog in the Thanksgiving feast -- by making your own Thanksgiving food for dogs with these recipes OR by serving these one-of-a-kind dog-friendly Thanksgiving foods and treats that are now available in stores!
Want to try your hand at natural homemade raw dog food? Learn everything you need to ensure that your dog's diet is complete and balanced.
Wondering what to stuff inside of your dog's Kong toy? Here's a list of the best Kong recipes that have worked well for lots of dog owners. These dog recipes make delicious treats that you can stuff inside a Kong toy!
From gingerbread houses to gingersnaps, can dogs eat ginger without getting sick? Read these essential safety tips for your dog.
The best Dog Birthday Cake Recipe of all time. Super easy to make, healthy, dog-safe ingredients and 100% tasty! Grab the FREE recipe here.
Where Dog Mom Enthusiasts Unite
Top picks for best dog food for allergies. If your Shih Tzu has allergies to certain food, changing their diet may give them relief from itching and tear stains
We asked our trusted team members for cat feeding tips and they did not disappoint. Here are 18 tips that offer advice about cat feeding practices. Feeding cats can be challenging at times. Some cats are messy eaters while others are dainty finicky ones. Some felines gulp down their food while others are anxious and […]
Can dogs eat turkey? Yes... but they might get an upset stomach. See which Thanksgiving dinner foods are safe for dogs, and which ones aren't. Instead of giving your dog Thanksgiving turkey & all the fixin's, try these easy homemade Thanksgiving dog treats -- to avoid bloat & canine pancreatitis!
Wondering exactly how other people stuff Kongs for their dogs? I'm going to show you how to stuff a Kong toy for dogs + A few Kong stuffing tips for first-timers.
Itchy skin can be caused by a number of reasons. Environmental allergies and a poor diet are two of the most common variables that cause dog's to suffer with itchy, dry skin. The problem could be cured by switching your dog to a homemade dog food for itchy skin, but only your veterinarian can tell you for sure.
I used to ignore dog treat recipes if I didn't have 1 of the ingredients on hand. This handy chart shows how to make homemade dog treats with 3 ingredients. Plus some handy substitutions for dogs!
All pet parents want what’s best for their dog. We go through an extensive process of researching and choosing the best food for our furry friends, and we even put effort into picking out the best food dishes. But what about the specifics of your Dachshund’s meal time? Free feeding is where your dogs always
Homemade dog food recipes for senior dogs and those with medical issues aren't difficult. This is the recipe my vet gave me for my dog with kidney failure.
Wondering what to do if your dog eats chicken bones?! First, don't panic, most likely your dog will be ok. My dog ate chicken bones and he passed them just fine -- but it depends on whether your dog gulps down the bones (bad), bites them into smaller pieces (bad), or grinds them down thoroughly before swallowing them (good). Here's what to do if your dog ate chicken bones... OR turkey bones.
Senior dogs can be particularly difficult to feed. Their metabolism has slowed down, and they may even have some health concerns that can be helped with the right diet. This homemade food for senior dogs won't be right for all older pets, so be sure to check with your vet before switching.
Our dog had diarrhea yesterday, and I spent all morning trying to find the perfect combination of human foods that he would eat and that would actually help to firm up his stools. I finally found it!... Here's the recipe that cured my dog's diarrhea in a matter of hours. Of all the dog diarrhea treatments and bland dog food recipes I've tried, this one cures diarrhea in dogs the quickest. Plus a list of human foods to keep on hand so you'll be ready whenever diarrhea strikes!
Can dogs eat turkey? Yes... but they might get an upset stomach. See which Thanksgiving dinner foods are safe for dogs, and which ones aren't. Instead of giving your dog Thanksgiving turkey & all the fixin's, try these easy homemade Thanksgiving dog treats -- to avoid bloat & canine pancreatitis!
