Homemade Dog Food - For the health and love of your dog

Here on my little farm there is a lot of work to do.  I do all the animal care and fix it jobs . There is always something that needs my attention. Cooking for my 5 dogs was not high on my list of priorities.  I bake them little doggie treats on occasion but thats about it. Then my sweet huge 7 year old lab Charlie became diabetic . He was 115 lbs and the vet let me know his weight was compounding his health issues.

It was a wake up call , many of my spoiled critters are chubby. I'm a retired nurse I should no better. I had to pay better attention to their health.  I was giving them too many treats trying to make them happy. I knew Diabetes can quickly ravage a body. My mom at 56 just 15 years after a diabetes diagnosis passed away suddenly from the disease.  I have no intention of letting this disease do unnecessary harm to my pal.

Charlie refused diabetic food,  I ordered several brands to no avail. It must taste terrible because Charlie loves to eat. He once ate a dish cloth that I used to wipe up gravy. He was used to eating when he wanted. I didn't give him people food but I gave him plenty of dog food and treats. He never went hungry. I realized if I was going to get him in better shape he would have to love the food and be satisfied.

I started investigating dog diets. I was impressed with a variety of blogs claiming to reduce insulin dependence by cooking for their dogs.  I followed one womans recipe taking Charlie's blood sugar several times a day. I wrote everything down and I was able to eliminate/substitute things that spiked his sugar levels. Once Charlie was stable and lost 8 lbs I consulted with my vet to make sure this was a safe long term diet. My vet thought it was ok to put all of my dogs on Charlies *diet.

Hooray in just 3 months Charlie is an almost svelte 100 lbs


He's still losing weight,  even in the bitter  cold winter ,when our activity level is lower. My other chubby guys have also lost weight.  Charlie's diabetes is severe , he had blood sugar of 500 and couldn't walk because of neuropathy. It came on quickly,  I was heartbroken,  thinking we were going to have to put him down. Luckily, diet ,exercise ,insulin and supplements have worked miracles. He wrestles with his dog brothers , climbs stairs and wags his tail all the time especially at dinner.  He was on pain meds and a variety of other meds to help with his weak legs. I have been able to wean him off everything but insulin.

Here is what I feed my dogs now. I make huge batches and freeze it.They love their food even my picky yorkie. * Please note this is what I feed my dogs I am not a vet. Consult your vet before changing your dogs diet. 


30% carbs
30%protein
30% veggies


2 cups brown rice or other complex carb like barley
2 cups protein I use chicken or salmon
2 cups mixed veggies. I take out carrots and peas from Charles dish but everyone else gets them.
Optional 1 cup low fat dog food. - Per my vet you can give them an adult multi vitamins and skip the dog food .
Optional Fish Oil
Optional garbonzo beans I add them on and off about 1/2 a can of low sodium beans , Kelp when I have it and sweet potato for all the dogs except Charlie.

I like to cook the rice in the microwave because its easy
3 cups water 1 1/2 cups rice cook on high for 24 minutes it comes out perfectly. I used brown rice you may have to adjust cooking times and water for your particular brand of rice.
While rice is cooking bake chicken or fish
In a shallow baking dish place breasts or fillets
Pour on 1/3 cup  low sodium chicken broth and bake the chicken breasts for 45 minutes or the fish for 25.  optional use 2 tablespoons of low fat parmesan for flavor.( my dogs are picky )
Microwave or boil vegetables per package directions until they are soft . I always add extra spinach.

I use fresh and frozen vegetables depending on the time of year. Never corn it's fattening and raises blood sugar in diabetic dogs. It's not good for healthy dogs either.

Cut chicken, fish and veggies into small pieces mix with rice add a little more chicken broth if too dry I add 3 pumps of fish oil for every 6 cups. I use Dermaquin plus . There are lots of different doggy fish oils on the market. I get mine free when I order Cosequin from www.valleyvetsupply.com I will probably change to salmon oil when the free with purchase runs out.   Stir everything together divide into meal size packages and freeze. I microwave for 4 minutes to defrost before feeding. My large dogs eat 6 cups a day . My tiny dogs eat differing amounts depending on weight.

For healthy treats I hardboil eggs and cut the whites into strips. I put them in a ziplock in the fridge for quick access.  The dogs all love them. I used to give all sorts of bad packaged treats . They also get Cosequin chews everyday for their joints. I give the yolks to my chickens and peacock or add tiny bits for taste to the dog food. It's been 3 months Charlie is doing really well. My other dogs are enjoying their food , everyones coat is shiner and they have more energy .Jimi my 13 year old chihuahua can jump on the couch. He hasn't been able to get up there in years.  I am thrilled they all look healthy and happy. It's worth the effort and with sensible buying It costs me less than their dry dog food.
Do you feed your dog homemade food? Do you use supplements? I would love to hear from other pet owners about their dog food choices.

Surviving Winter

 The cold weather brings on all sorts of challenges for a 120 year old house and barn. I go into full pioneer mode.  It takes lots of energy to keep everyone safe warm and happy.  This year I insulated the drafty barn using  layers of cardboard a  tip I found on Pinterest. The beautiful old drafty windows in my house get covered with shrink wrap plastic. Then layered with heavy curtains. I put as many rugs out as possible on my frigid wood floors. My doors all have their own set of winter draperies to hold out drafts.  My tiny dogs need sweaters even in the house. It's too cold to get water from outside.  I have to haul buckets to the basement to be rinsed and filled. Snow has to be shoveled to create walking spaces for the animals.  It's a hard back breaking season. We manage to survive it every year. this year I am taking the bull by the horns and working to make things easier.

I am looking into alternate sources of heat for the house and barn. I am particularly interested in wood burning stoves since I always have lots of wood from broken tree branches in my yard. This winter has just started but we have already consumed 500 gallons of oil. The environmentalist in me is mortified. I keep the house temperature low, even so frigid temperatures make it necessary to run the heater all night. 

I am diligently exploring all sorts of environmentally conscious options. So far it looks like solar power can only be a supplemental source. It's cost is prohibitive and my township has rules about visible panels. Adding either wood or propane stoves seems like a great option. I am investigating off the grid sites to gain enough knowledge to make this decision.  I am hoping to get something installed before a big snowstorm hits.

Some of these photos are from past winters. I thought you might enjoy seeing the critters exploring the snow.

If you have any good advice about my energy decision. I would love to hear from you. How do you survive frigid temperatures with animals?

Little Pig Big Problems- Life with a smart little curmudgeon

Pablo came to me as a tiny little pig 3 lbs and nearly frozen to death in an unheated barn.  He was literally the cutest thing I have ever seen.  His first night he would cry if I put him down so he had to sleep in bed with me. Mike wasn't the slightest bit happy about a pig in bed even a just bathed tiny guy. We tried a pack and play but there was no soothing him. Pablo made a fuss,  his tiny nose curl up as he squealed. This was the beginning of Pablo getting things his way.

He was supposed to be less than 50lbs when he was full grown,  so far he's over 100 lbs and keeps on growing.  He knows all sorts of cute tricks including a tap dance with a big finish. He will do tricks only if he sees and smells a treat. Pablo has to make sure what ever he is being bribed with , is worth the effort. He makes me laugh nearly every morning. I say Good Morning Mr Pab he responds with a low pig grunt. I say are you hungry ? He squeals until food is placed before him. If he doesn't like his breakfast he flips his bowl over and demands something different. Pig chow is low on his list of good foods. In his defense a tiny adorable pig gets lots of handouts. By the time he moved to the barn he had already tasted all sorts of people food.  He won't take pig vitamins but gulps down Flintstone gummies. He will do almost anything for cheese.  Sharp cheddar is a sure way, to get him to go back into his stall, when he refuses.

At just under 24 inches tall he is a Sherman tank. capable of knocking down fences and uprooting walls. As a baby he completely tore up the entire bathroom floor while I was out.  He's been adorable and a handful always. He used to nip as a baby whenever he was challenged to do anything he didn't want. He's fabulous to me, loves children but doesn't like my partner Mike. He rams the fence and growls whenever Mike is over.   At 6 months old a police car showed up because I was trying to put a harness on him. His screams rival any good horror movie. He loves taking bath and lets me clean his ears and brush his teeth. He will not however,  allow any foot trimming. I get the nail clippers he shows me his considerable teeth.

 Earlier this year,  he went out of the back of the barn. He actually head butted his way out,  then came to the front door after upsetting a few neighbors and knocking over some plants. I heard a huge thud at the door and found Pablo waiting to come in. In hot pursuit  behind him , was a new neighbor , holding broken pot, yelling bad, bad , bad. He knows what the word bad is , he's heard it lots of times. I guess he figured it was time to come home. Once I calmed  down my distraught neighbor , introduced myself, reminded her farm animals are actually allowed here and no Pablo  couldn't be arrested for coming into her yard, all was well.  I paid for the damages and later brought over a bottle of wine and a new plant.  She still doesn't like me or Pablo for that matter . That's ok I'm not particularly thrilled with developments replacing farms or people moving to farm country and trying to regulate animals out, so they won't have to look at barns from their McMansions.   I added the pot to Pablo's tab , wines on me. I once again remind him that he seriously needs to get some kind of employment, if he is going to continue to damage things at this rate.

Keeping everyone warm is a challenge as the temperature dips into the 20's.  There are lots of heat lamps, heated water holders and heat mats.  Pablo has decided to complicate things by constantly opening his door. I lock it,  he breaks the lock.  I added a carpet to cover the door way so he could see out but keep things warm. He immediately tore it down. His pig apartment shares a wire wall with the chickens .When Pablo's wants air the girls get it too. I find them all huddled under heat lamps because Pablo wants to watch the neighbors. He just gazes out the door. His head swaying as people go about their lives. Every couple of weeks someone stops on my busy road to ask about Pablo. I am surprised by the number of people that think I am raising him for the table. I am greeted by Pab every time I come home. No matter how late he opens his door and pops his head out to say hi. Its nice to have a pig friend. It's nice to know someone waits up.

This spring he's moving to his own straw bale house complete with front porch and plenty of viewing

windows. My son Dave and I are building the pig mansion once the weather gets warmer. I have wanted to build a straw bale structure for a years. This seems like perfect opportunity . I am really looking forward to seeing Pablo in his own pig house.  Hopefully I can find a sow to rescue , he is quite lonely. I think he would fight with a male pig.  He loves it when I sit in his stall and read or just rub him. He's affectionate he likes a good cuddle. Pigs need company like dogs. He is good friends with my horse but can't be trusted to stay in the barn with him. He eats everyones food and hits on the sheep. Andy the miniature horse kicks, if you go near his food. Pablo can't really defend himself against Andy's rapid fire hooves. So visits have to be regulated. I let them talk throughout he fence. Pablo complains loudly when I put him back. it makes me sad to see him lonely. His new house will border the pasture so he can chat with his buddy.  Pablo isn't an easy pet but he's well worth it. I am thrilled I was able to give him a home. I can't imagine a day without seeing that cute pig face.

Sometimes all you need is a little Faith - The healing power of animals

It was sad winter my oldest son died *. I had just moved into a 100 year old farmhouse that needed lots of work. It seemed like fun project at first. Once we started it was daunting.  My boys and I were all feeling lost and overwhelmed.

A friend of mine called about a Craigs list post titled Please SAVE Faith Lily. I'm a sucker for a sad story, I had a barn and no animals. I worked from home and shared the house with my middle son Dave.   Faith was a 4H lamb destined for slaughter. Faith's first mom,  a sweet teenager named Melanie , begged for someone to adopt Faith and pay 4H for the milk she had consumed

No one called and Faith was destined to become Easter dinner.  The universe knew we needed each other but I was a little skeptical. I had never even been close to a lamb. At My friends urging Faith came home.

A reporter from  The Philadelphia Inquirer  saw the Craig's list post and followed the story.  Faith  was featured in a full page section of the Easter addition.  It came as  a big surprise. I didn't even bother to put on make-up. I was pretty sure it would be a tiny article with Faiths photo. Thats when everything started to get a little bit hectic.  All sorts of people wanted to find homes for all sorts of critters.  

No wallowing in bed crying,  a baby needed to be fed.  Faith need to be fed every 2 hours just like  any newborn . She was kept in the house and wore diapers. She often hung out on the sofa with the boys. She slept in playpen in my room.  I made her a little robe for the chilliest nights in our drafty home.  She looked like a live stuffed animal. It made me smile just watching her. 

Faith loved to play and entertained us with her antics. She got into lots of trouble.  Her favorite food was dog food. She would sneak around trying to get it.  Faith gave us something bigger than sadness to focus on.  It was amazing , who knew lambs had such personality.  Dave and I  shared Faiths care , working our schedules around her endless bottles and diaper changes.  He even took her on  a few dates when I couldn't be home. I was transported back to the early mom years it was magical.  

Faith grew and eventually moved to the barn but she never stopped trying to come into the house.  Faith was a blessing in so many ways. Every animal that has found a home here since is because of Faith.  She helped carve out a new life for me as a farmer and my home as a sanctuary for the unwanted. I don't eat my animals but my chickens  do produce some pretty delicious eggs , so I guess we are actually a real farm.  

The newspaper article gave our address. That spring we were inundated with rabbits, kittens Easter chicks and ducklings. It seemed nearly everyday someone would call about another homeless animal. 

My time was taken up building pens, finding homes and learning to care for each new addition. It felt good to have a purpose. Luckily my local feed store had classes on animal husbandry.  I got the book Barnyard in the Back Yard  at their recommendation.   It's well worn now along with a Merck Vet manual , experience and the internet taught me the rest. I'm still learning something new everyday.

My son grew up married and had children of his own.  He still comes by to help every now and again. He talks about getting a little farm of his own. The grandchildren love to visit Nazzys farm. I used to run a preschool here, my students  still stop by to see the animals.  I now  have a family of chickens, ducks, 2 ornery geese, turkeys, a peacock, rabbits,  a 3 legged chihuahua and his 4 dog friends, 2 hilarious goats,  the world famous Pablo the pig ,
1 miniature horse and one lovely sheep.  In addition to my furry feathered family, all sorts of animals come through here for rehabilitation  and move back to the wild  or to a good home.  It gets a little crazy sometimes but I wouldn't change it for the world.

* This isn't my forum for  talking about my two boys death . This is my happy farm blog.  If your grieving or just interested in hearing the story vist my grief blog Agoodmourning@blogspot.com .