1. The Healthy Cat and Dog Cookbook: Natural Recipes Using Nutritious, Economical Foods and Good Advice for Happier, Healthier, and More Beautiful Pets by Joan Harper

Find it Here

This is a great book for people who own cats and dogs. You can find it as low as $1.99 for a gently used copy on Barnes & Noble. It has a 4 ½ star rating on Amazon, but this paperback can be purchased through many retailers.

2. The Homemade Dog Food Bible: Over 25 of The Best Dog Food Recipes That Every Pup Will Love by Martha Stephenson

This new book will make your pooch the envy of the block. With new, exciting recipes, pick this book up to really spice things up in your dog’s Food bowl. For $12.99 at Books-A-Million you can purchase this trade-paperback brand new. There’s nothing like receiving a new, crisp book ready for your enjoyment alone.

3. Home Cooking for Your Dog: 75 Holistic Recipes for a Healthier Dog by Christi Filardi

Find it Here

If you still don’t know if you want to go “all-in” with dog food, this is the book for you. It has recipes for cooking, raw food diets, and just treats. The author packs the pages with her own experiences in the kitchen so you can make an easy transition in your home. You can get this book in electronic format for $9.99 on Amazon.

4. Dog Food Recipes: Healthy and Easy Homemade Meals and Treats for Your Best Friend by Jennifer H. Smith

Find it Here

Not just a recipe book, this book will educate you on the dos and don’ts for making your own dog food. With ban lists and portion control, you will know what to feed your pup and how much to feed your pup. Don’t worry, it also has complete recipes where all you have to do is follow the directions. Available for $2.99 as a Barnes and Noble “Nook Book”.

5. Why Leave It to Chance?: Best 50 Homemade Dog Food Recipes to Teach You How to Make Dog Foods by Martha Stephenson

Find it Here

This is a simple book with recipes for your four-legged family members. There is a great variety in this book. If you want to cook three meals a day for your pooch, the recipes are in here. Want to make bulk food and then freeze? No problem. There are crockpot meals in this book as well. You can pick this up for $17.99 at Books-A-Million.

6. Feed Your Best Friend Better: Easy, Nutritious Meals and Treats for Dogs by Rick Woodfard

Find it Here

If you want a book that is tried and tested, check out this one. On Amazon, it has 358 reviews and still maintains a 4 ½ star rating. For only $10.26 in paperback, or $7.99 on Kindle, you can own this informative book. Not just recipes, you will find tips and tricks for preparing, cooking, and storing your Homemade Dog Food. It even has recipes for food you can share with your pooch.

7. Dog Food Recipes Cookbook: Dog Treat Recipes, Raw Dog Food Recipes and Healthy Dog Food Secrets by Karen Armstrong

Find it Here

Another multi-functional book, this gives you recipes for cooked and raw food meals. You can get this 5-star rated book from $11.08 used at Barnes & Noble. If you would rather a new book, those are available as well. Loaded with over 130 recipes, you are sure to find ones that your fur-baby love.

8. Real Food for Dogs: 50 Vet-Approved Recipes to Please the Canine Gastronome by Arden Moore

Find it Here

The meals in this cook book will make sure that although you have gone to homemade dog food, your canine will still get all the nutrition it needs. If you are concerned that your meals will not provide what your dog needs, use these veterinarians approved meals. Get this canine cook book for as low as $1.99 used from Barnes & Noble. Take the guess work out of feeding your pet.

9. The Dogs Dinner: How to Prepare Nutritious and Healthy Meals for Your Dog by James Romsey

Find it Here

If you want to know the ins and out of dog nutrition, this is a good place to start. It will teach you what foods are good, and what foods are bad, for your canine. If gives specifics on how much fat, carbs, proteins, etc. that your dog needs every day. For $9.99 at Books-A-Million, you can become an educated dog food preparer.

10. The Healthy Hound Cookbook: Over 125 Easy Recipes by Paris Permenter

Find it Here

With 125 simple, nutritious meals, this may be the only dog food recipe book you will ever need. This 4 ½ star book is currently on promotion at Kindle Unlimited for FREE. Don’t miss out on this great bargain.

11. Dinner PAWsible: A Cookbook of Nutritious, Homemade Meals for Cats and Dogs by Cathy Alinovi

Find it Here

This veterinarian author is also certified in holistic healing, including chiropractic care for animals, aromatherapy, acupuncture, and food therapy. Let her help you by buying his helpful book of homemade dog food recipes. Rated 4 ½ stars, you can get this digital download for $9.95 or get the paperback for $10.00.

12. The Natural Pet Food Cookbook: Healthful Recipes for Dogs and Cats by Wendy Nan Rees

Find it Here

Hard on books? Don’t worry, you can get this great book in hard-cover format for $27.66 from Barnes & Noble. This has recipes for cat and dog food all in one sturdy, convenient book. With tips, techniques, and warnings, this is all you need to get started on the homemade dog food craze.

13. Dog Food Recipes: 101 Easy Recipes for Healthy, Homemade Dog Food by Kristina Newman

You don’t have to have 101 Dalmatian puppies to enjoy this book. You don’t like eating the same thing every day, and neither does your furry family member. For only $7.99 you can get this paperback at Books-A-Million. If all you want is recipes, then this is a great find for you.

Conclusion

The homemade dog food business is booming. It’s not surprising with all the pet food recalls for foreign objects, bacterial contamination, and other dangers that lurk in processed pet. Food. Grab a couple books for this list and get started on your own dog food journey.

READ NEXT: 15 GREAT HOMEMADE DOG FOOD RECIPE SITES

The post 13 Great Books for Homemade Dog Food Beginners appeared first on Top Dog Tips.

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0. Top Dog Tips

topdogtips.com

As expect, goes without saying: here on Top Dog Tips, we have literally hundreds of dog food recipes with videos and photos – the largest database on the internet. The variety of recipes include well-balanced meals, random ones to feed your pet on occasion, recipes for dog health and a bunch more.

1. Whole Dog Journal

whole-dog-journal.com

Not only does this site provide you with great recipes for your dog, it also provides you with nutrition information in case you want to still make some of your own original recipes. Making the decision to go back to store bought food? This website will tell you which processed foods are the best.

2. The Little Foxes

thelittlefoxes.net

This site is a wealth of information. It may not be “professionally” put together, but that is no reason to overlook it. It has lots of recipes with different ingredients in case you want to give your pooch variety. It also has recipes for canines that suffer from food allergies. If your fur-baby is sick, don’t worry, it has a recipe for that as well.

3. the BARK

thebark.com

Pull up this site and you will get tons of recipes – pages and pages. They have different contributors so you are sure to find a variety. This site has homemade treat recipes, snack recipes, as well as full crock-pot meals. As an extra treat, it has recipes that can be made that you and your furry family member will enjoy.

4. Dog Reference

dogreference.com

Want to go simple? This website has a lot of simple recipes for dog treats and meals – some with only three ingredients. While you are looking for those, you can also find a wealth of how-to guides, from leash training your pooch or how to make your own dog toys.

5. Sojos

sojos.com

If you want all the benefits of a homemade dog food without the hassle, stop by this site. They have complete freeze-dried meals they sell, but they also have kits that you can buy where you add the meat or other ingredients that you can get cheaper. Don’t want to go all in? They also have all-natural snacks.

6. Fiasco Farm

fiascofarm.com

Also known as Molly’s Herbals, this site has a lot of natural and herbal remedies for dogs. These remedies and recipes have been tested on the site owner’s own dog – Mable. Not only will you find nutritious recipes, but a wealth of other information as well, like natural flea repellants and the caloric needs of dogs.

7. Money Crashers

moneycrashers.com

Yep, this is a saving money not site, not a dog site. It makes this list because it has articles on how to save money making dog food and dog treats at home. This nifty how to guides include delicious recipes for your pooch. Switching to homemade dog food doesn’t have to be expensive – this website shows you how to do it.

8. Food.com

food.com

Not only can you find people recipes on this site, but you can find canine recipes as well. This site is based off of user submissions, so you will find a variety of things. Along with that variety are tons of comments about how it worked for everyday dogs like yours. If people ran in trouble, they also comment with substitutions they made. It is a great site for not only recipes, but for reviews.

9. Dog Time

dogtime.com

This site has so much information. I often use it when researching for articles. The editors of this site allow reader submissions, so their recipe list is constantly growing. Your four-legged family member will never get bored with the wide variety of meals and treats that you can find on this site.

10. Recipes 4 Gourmet Dogs

recipes4gourmetdogs.com

As you can easily tell by the site name, this is the place to go for recipes. It also has lots of useful information about what foods are good, what foods are bad, nutritional needs, and serving sizes. This is a go-to sight if you eventually want to branch into making your own homemade dog food recipes.

11. All Recipes

allrecipes.com

When you click this link, you really will see “all recipes”, even those for dogs. They have tons of user reviewed recipes on meals and treats. It is similar to Pinterest, but just for food. That means there are new things being shared daily. This is a great site for finding fun food like doggie birthday cakes, frozen treats, and delicious meals.

12. Homemade Dog Food

homemadedogfood.com

This is another site with a name that says it all. Along with great recipes, they have a convenient Dos and Don’ts section for beginners. You can find a variety of raw food and cooked food diets in the pages of this site. If you really want to get into the science, they have posts on how your dog’s digestion works, how diet can affect your pup’s immune system, and other helpful, knowledgeable articles.

13. Damn Delicious

damndelicious.net

Another people food site that has branched into canine nutrition, this place has lots of simple recipes for your pet. Whether you prefer the “crock-pot and freeze” method, or daily cooking, there is something on this site for everyone. Like other sites, this one also has a helpful comments section where people have posted their results.

14. My Sweet Puppy

mysweetpuppy.net

Here you will find everything you need for your puppy, even “name” guides. It is a site that has nutrition, healthcare, training, and just plain fun. If you need some recipes for dogs of any age, they have them here. This website even has nutrition advice for certain breeds of dogs.

15. Organic Pet Digest

organic-pet-digest.com

Not just concerned with diet, this site is for anyone who wants to practice holistic healing on their fur-baby. They even have a list of vets who practice holistic care. They can help you decide what foods are best even if you don’t want to cook every day. Not to mention, they have the first canine “symptom checker” I have ever seen on any site.

In Conclusion

Yes, cooking for your dog may take more time than filling a food bowl, but the benefits are there. If you decide you would like to try it, these websites can help you get started and get you through any road blocks you may encounter. If your dog is just another family member, what better way to show it than by cooking for it.

The post 15 Great Homemade Dog Food Recipe Sites appeared first on Top Dog Tips.

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Sustainability is a major focus for many companies in the pet industry right now, but you’ve probably never even realized it. Researchers and experts in the pet food industry are well aware that our resources are depleting much too quickly. Some products, like Jiminy’s Insect Protein Dog Food, are made using sustainable resources with a focus on our environment.

Dog food is now being made with higher quality ingredients than ever before. Most of the same ingredients are also used in the making of human food. It sounds great – dogs eating the same quality food as their owners – but the problem isn’t in the quality of the food.

The problem is in the resources that the food is made with. Resources like grains, fruits, vegetables and meat are all in limited supply. These resources are renewable, but if the demand outweighs the supply we will begin to have a shortage of these foods.

Some manufacturers have begun looking for new ingredients that are more sustainable than the traditional ingredients that we’ve been using for decades. That’s why Jiminy’s uses insect protein in their dog recipes instead of traditional protein sources like chicken, fish or beef.

If you’re interested in learning more about sustainability in the pet industry or insect powder as a source of protein, check out our interview: What’s All the Hype About Cricket Protein for Dogs?

Jiminy’s Insect Protein Dog Food Review

First, let’s talk about what makes this dog food so unique. Obviously, it’s the insect protein powder. Not only are insects a sustainable protein, they are also a source of very lean protein, iron, fiber and all of the essential amino acids.

According to Jiminy’s, it takes 22,000 times more water to raise a cow than it does to raise an insect, and it takes 2,300 times more water to raise a chicken than an insect. In fact, they say that in the last 12 months the production of their dog food products compared to other traditional products has saved over 60 million liters of water, averted 7 million grams of greenhouse gases, and they produce 130,000 pounds of insect protein per acre of land that they use.

Did you know that it takes 93% less land to raise insects than beef and 67% less land to raise insects than chickens? Jiminy’s even partnered with Carbon Credit Capital to measure the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with their products. They found that their cricket protein treats produce 740% less GHG emissions than traditional beef dog treats and 270% less than chicken treats.

While sustainability is great, my biggest concern is always my dogs’ health and well-being. Cricket powder scores as high in digestibility for dogs as chicken or beef protein. Cricket powder is also a natural pre-biotic and naturally hypoallergienic!

Jiminy’s Insect Protein Dog Food recipes are made in the USA and free of corn, wheat and soy. They are not made with any artificial preservatives, artificial colors or antibiotics. All of their recipes are designed by veterinarians.

ALSO: Sustainability In the Pet Industry

This dog food combines insect protein with plant-based ingredients. Jiminy’s Insect Protein Dog Food is available in 2 flavors – Cricket Crave and Good Grub. Both recipes are oven baked in small batches to ensure a less processed food. This makes it easier to digest and retains more of the natural nutrients.

Both recipes are also formulated for dogs in all life stages. The full list of ingredients for each recipe is:

• Cricket Crave – Cricket, Oats, Quinoa, Sweet Potato, Brown Rice, Chickpeas, Milo, Potato Protein, Peas, Canola Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Dicalcium Phosphate, Beet Pulp, Flaxseed, Natural Vegetable Flavor, Calcium Carbonate, Brewer’s Yeast, Salt, Menhaden Fish Oil, Choline Chloride, Inulin, Vitamins (Calcium Carbonate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Mineral Oil, Manganous Oxide, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate), Taurine, Minerals (Zinc Methionine Complex, Calcium Carbonate, Zinc Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Organic Sunflower Oil, Sodium Selenite, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Ethylenediamine Dihydroiodide), Turmeric, Mixed Tocopherols
• Good Grub – Dried Black Soldier Fly Larvae, Oats, Potato Protein, Dried Sweet Potato, Canola Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Monosodium Phosphate, Beet Pulp, Natural Vegetable Flavor, Flaxseed, Salt, Menhaden Fish Oil, Vitamins (Calcium Carbonate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Mineral Oil, Manganous Oxide, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate), Choline Chloride, DL Methionine, Minerals (Zinc Methionine Complex, Calcium Carbonate, Zinc Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Organic Sunflower Oil, Sodium Selenite, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide), Taurine, Mixed Tocopherols

As you can see in my video review, our dogs love this food – even my pickiest eater. I was worried that they wouldn’t be enticed by the smell of the cricket protein like they are with dog food made with beef, chicken, turkey or other more popular protein sources. I was certainly wrong! They love it!

You can purchase Cricket Crave and/or Good Grub on Amazon. 3.5-ounce bags sell for $21.95 and $16.95 respectively. 10-pound bags sell for $58.95 and $45.95 respectively.

That price won’t fit into everyone’s budget. If you’re looking to lessen your carbon footprint and sustainability is a high priority for you, Jiminy’s is worth the cost. It provides optimal nutrition and is much more eco-friendly than other traditional pet food options.

READ NEXT: Jiminy’s Cricket Protein Dog Treats Review

The post Review: Jiminy’s Insect Protein Dog Food appeared first on Top Dog Tips.

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However, it’s not as simple as giving your puppy a bowl of whatever you’re having for lunch. There are a few rules that you need to follow if you want your pet to be healthy and happy.

1. Avoid Ingredients That Could Be Dangerous

Just because a dog would eat something, doesn’t mean that you should let him. And we don’t just mean obvious things, like garbage or your shoes. There are plenty of foods that are perfectly safe for human consumption, that can make your dog sick.

The big one that most people have heard of is chocolate. Chocolate and other cocoa products contain theobromine, a substance with a stimulating effect. Depending on the quantity, it can cause digestive issues such as diarrhea and vomiting, and in more serious cases seizures or even death.

Other foods that are toxic for dogs include onions and garlic that can lead to anemia, grapes and raisins, which might cause kidney failure, and macadamia nuts which can be fatal even in small quantities. Before you start cooking for your dog or even just giving him scraps from your table, make sure you educate yourself on the full list of foods that are toxic for dogs.

2. Learn More About Raw Foods

The opinions on feeding your dog raw foods are divided. The consensus seems to be that it’s mostly okay, but with some precautions. After all, you’ve probably seen him eat much worse.

In their essence, dogs are carnivores, and their digestive system is built to handle eating raw meat, so, while there is a chance of E. Coli or Salmonella poisoning, it is minimal. However, raw meat and fish always carry a risk of parasites, so make sure you only give your pet fresh food, bought from a reputable source.

Buy smaller quantities instead of getting it in bulk and letting it sit in your fridge for too long, and wash your dog’s bowls regularly. For your own safety, wash all of the surfaces you used, as well as your hands, every time you handle raw meat. Raw eggs are also relatively safe for dogs, but keep the consumption limited. Too many can cause a biotin deficiency, so stick to one or two per day.

3. Strike the Optimal Balance

While maybe not the tastiest option, store-bought dog food is usually balanced in a way that meets the dietary requirements of a healthy dog. If you take it upon yourself to cook for your dog, it’s important that you strive to strike a similar balance.

Not every meal has to be equally balanced – instead try looking at the big picture on a weekly level. In general, a half of your dog’s diet should consist of protein from meat, fish, eggs and dairy. The other half should be a mix of raw or cooked vegetables and fruit, and some starch and carbohydrates.

Fats should be present, but in small amounts. Dogs also need calcium. Bones have traditionally been a favorite source, but they can actually be dangerous. Not only do they pose a choking hazard, but they can also splinter easily, and injure your pet’s gums, stomach or intestines. It’s generally considered much safer to just opt for a calcium supplement.

4. Watch Out for Spices and Seasonings

When cooking for your dog, forget about human notions of what flavorful food is. Dogs are not only perfectly content eating food that we might find bland, it’s actually even better for them. In most cases, foods that people eat are way too salty for dogs.

Dogs are much more sensitive to salt than we are, and too high consumption can lead to tummy problems, excessive thirst and even dehydration. Spicy foods may cause similar problems, although dogs don’t really perceive the taste of spicy foods the same way we do. Spices like paprika and pepper can also cause skin and eye irritation, which is another reason to avoid them.

Finally, avoid giving nutmeg to your pup at all costs. While its aroma may seem heavenly to you, it’s been known to cause severe abdominal pain in dogs, and, in some cases even death. Many other herbs and spices are completely harmless, but because dogs have a much more developed sense of smell than we do, a dog might just refuse to eat a meal because of the aroma of a particular spice.

5. Boost Your Dog’s Health

Just as there are certain foods that should be avoided at all costs, there are others that are actually amazing for your dog’s health. In general, foods that are high in protein make an excellent choice, whether as part of a full meal, or just as a snack. This includes dairy, like yoghurt and cottage cheese, unless, of course, your dog is lactose intolerant.

Dairy is also a good source of much needed calcium. However, always remember to read the ingredient list, and choose products without added sugar or sweeteners. And don’t overdo it – excessive dairy can cause digestive problems.

Peanut butter is a great protein and fat-rich snack, but it should be given in moderation, as an occasional treat. Salmon and other oily fish is not just full of protein, but also rich in omega-3 fatty acids – which are beneficial for the heart, kidneys, bones and joints, and many other aspects of your pet’s health.

Finally, fresh fruit and veggies, like carrots, asparagus, pumpkin and spinach are an invaluable source of nutrients, while also being good for the teeth and crucial for digestion thanks to their fiber content.

Conclusion

Just like humans, dogs need variety in their diet to ensure they get all the nutrients they need. If your dog suffers from chronic health problems, consult your vet before switching to homemade meals.

The post 5 Safety Rules for Homemade Dog Food Cooking appeared first on Top Dog Tips.

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Homemade dog food isn’t the most convenient option, but it is definitely the healthiest diet option when done properly. The best home cooked dog food can be catered to your pet’s unique nutritional needs. You can use the best quality ingredients and ensure that the food is prepared in a safe manner.

I always warn pet owners about the dangers of switching to a homemade dog food diet. While it can be the healthiest choice, it can be deadly if you don’t make nutritionally balanced meals for your dog. Sadly, most homemade dog food recipes are not nutritionally appropriate for the average canine.

In a 2013 study from the School of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis, 200 homemade dog food recipes were evaluated. The recipes came from 34 different sources, including pet care books, websites and even veterinary textbooks.

Researchers evaluated the ingredients used in these recipes and the instructions for preparing the food. They found that only 9 of the recipes provided the essential nutrients in adequate concentrations to meet the minimum standards set for adult dogs by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). And of those 9 recipes that met AAFCO minimum standards, only 5 recipes provided the essential nutrients in adequate concentrations set for adult dogs by the National Research Council.

This means that only 2.5% of the recipes evaluated provided adequate nutrients for adult dogs according to the AAFCO and the NRC.

This is why it’s so important to consult a veterinarian or a canine nutritionist. They will evaluate your dog’s needs and the nutritional content of the recipes that you plan to serve. The expert that you work with will be able to guide you in choosing appropriate supplements to ensure the home cooked meals are 100% nutritionally balanced for your pet’s unique needs.

Best Home Cooked Dog Food

If you don’t have a lot of extra time to prepare meals for your dog, using a slow cooker may be helpful. Slow cooker recipes only require a little bit of prep work. There is no need to tend the food while it’s cooking.

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