What to feed, how much?

[firef2005]

Can someone give me some info on home cooked meals? What ingredients to use, and how much to feed? I understand it's more complicated than just that, but wanted to start Titan on something different this week. Thanks guys!

[mistified247]

I'm glad that you posted this. I was just wondering the same thing. Maybe someone with knowledge about this subject will reply. I wanted to start this asap with Roxy.

[themelmom]

I fed homecooked for about 6 months since no kibble agreed with Hogan nor did he like any kibble. I was trying to add weight and is SO picky. Every kibble caused poo issues. I did a lot of research and reading and looking at menus. My rule of thumb was 1/2 meat 1/4 brown rice and 1/4 veggies. I used mostly ground beef or any beef I could find reduced for quick sale. I used leg quarters and chicken gizzards. Pork is ok but not easily tolerated in some Danes. If you have access venison is a good choice. I wished my husband was a hunter. HA!
I cooked massive amounts one day a week and separated into gallon freezer bags the serving for an entire day. Just take out and thaw a bag for each day. My basic recipe was 10 pounds chicken leg quarters. Crock pots are the easiest way to cook this. They can cook all day while you are at work. Debone and chop in food processor. 5-10 pounds of ground beef or other beef. Brown ground meat in a skillet. Boil other kinds of red meat and chop. 3/4 large bag brown rice. Cook in the chicken broth or broth and water. Green beans, green peas, carrots, greens, and sweet potatoes make up the rest. Sweet potatoes can be microwaved, peeled, and chopped. They help with digestive issues to!
Mix it all up and bag it. I also added yogurt once a day. The only supplements I used regularly was fish oil and bone meal. Add the bone meal in at feedings. Get a good balanced bone meal. I found Solid Gold to be recommended and good quality. This gives good calcium/phosphorus ratio.
Hogan did great on homemade. It was hard work and sometimes stressful. I just had to plan to make food on Saturday or Sunday afternoons. It was worth it though to not have poo issues and a great coat and happy dog. When we got Nikki she could not eat the homemade so I changed them both to Taste of the Wild which they do great on. I still add some meat, veggies, and yogurt cause Hogan WILL NOT eat plain dry kibble of any kind. He is a bad spoiled boy! :)
Good luck! You can find some good recipes on the net.

I fed Hogan 2-3 cups twice a day. You have to experiment with how much they need. Feed about the same as a good quality kibble.