[dusty&lulusmom]

After all the dog food recalls I began to educate myself. I am still learning so I am hoping someone can answer some questions for me. My dogs are now on a part kibble and part homemade diet. The homemade diet consist of meat, carb and vegi. Meat being the number one ingredient. I am becoming concerned about the carb. I am using one of the following in their meals: pumpkin, sweet potato, brown rice, barley or oats. At times I have seen things written opposing rice, barley or oats. Are these foods healthy? Should I eliminate them from the homecooked food? I also make my own treats. I use whole wheat flour, an egg (including shell) and cans of evangers 100% meat. I am now wondering about the whole wheat? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Lightwingcreations]

If you want to feed your dog grains, go ahead. Personally I wouldn't, as their digestive system is not made to digest them. I don't have any problem feeding them veggies, but I'm not sure they can always metabolize them, depending on what form they are in (fresh vs. having been frozen or cooked). I wouldn't mind feeding rice if I had to because it's fairly digestible, but so far I haven't had to. I would stay away from wheat, corn, soy, barley. But, that's just my opinion.

[dusty&lulusmom]

I think I will try sticking with pumpkin and sweet potato as the carb. I am going to experiment with the treats and see if I can replace the wheat with cooked ground up brown rice. I bake the treats so the wheat is what kept them intact. Thanks for the advice.

[gone2thedogs]

You can also use white potatoes. They're a fab carb, usually well-tolerated by dogs, and you can even buy potato flour for baking your doggie treats.

But so long as you are cooking their home-made meals and your dogs don't have any digestion issues, and meat is the first ingredient, then the rice and barley and oats are probably just fine.

[LoveLilly]

Sounds like you are doing a great job. I too do this along with using Evangers canned items to mix with Lilly's kibble. I try to get carbs from sweet potatoes, green beans, etc.... I use oatmeal too, my vet told me I just need to cook the hell out of it so its easier for their system to digest and I have never had an issue, except with rice which constipates her.

Also, I didn't see you mention fruit. You can also give fresh banana, apple and blueberry; those are the fruits I have used.

[dusty&lulusmom]

The dogs seem to be tolerating things well. I have heard about fruit. I have a parrot so every morning she gets a helping of fresh fruits and vegis with her pellets. The dogs are hanging around and I do toss them some apple. The Westie is the only one that wants nothing to do with apple. I am constantly reading about nutrition and trying to improve their diets. I am new to homecooking, sometimes there seems to be too much info to sift through. I know the diet they are on now has to be better than the poor commericial diet I did have them on. After reading the book "Pet Food Nation" I actually became enraged that the pet food company had the nerve to take my money for what they call "nutritious food". I feel like I was robbed and betrayed. I actually trusted the companies and thought that my dogs were eating well.

[Lightwingcreations]

Originally Posted by dusty&lulusmom

After reading the book "Pet Food Nation" I actually became enraged that the pet food company had the nerve to take my money for what they call "nutritious food". I feel like I was robbed and betrayed. I actually trusted the companies and thought that my dogs were eating well.

Yep, I know how you feel. I was completely shocked and disgusted when I found out about what can and does go into dog and cat food, not to mention the food they feed our "meat" animals.