Pet Food Recipes
Please note that since mid 2018 there has been ongoing research and case studies suggesting a link between certain types of diets and a serious cardiac problem called Dilated Cardiomyopathy, or DCM. These diets are either from boutique pet food companies, use exotic meats, or are grain free. There is also a concern with as home cooked diets that have not been specifically formulated by a veterinary nutritionist. Because of this danger, Calm Animal Care is no longer recommending recipes for maintenance nutrition for dogs and cats. Likewise, we are not recommending any diets made by companies that do not follow World Small Animal Veterinary Association WSAVA Guidelines for Selecting the Best Food for Your Pet
We will stay abreast of research as it develops.
We do have some suggestions to help get your pet through bouts of GI distress, though this recipe is not balanced for long term use.
Dr Calm would be delighted to talk to you about DCM and our concerns with BEG- just give us a call at (406) 755-8214 or send an email to info@calmanimalcare.
You can read more about the science of veterinary nutrition, options for safe home cooked diets, and ongoing research into nutrition related DCM by visiting Tufts University.
Tufts University Veterinary Nutrition Service
Helping Dogs with Tummy Troubles
Episodes of vomiting and diarrhea can be caused by a variety of situations, from access to carcasses during hunting season to dietary indiscretions involving garbage cans. Bacterial infections and toxins can be overwhelming, and acute pancreatitis is just outright life-threatening. If your dog has GI distress, it’s best to get a diagnosis to determine what treatment is needed. In any case, recovery will be faster with a little help in the diet department. We do have some commercially prepared bland diets available, but there’s nothing like a home cooked meal when you’re feeling under the weather.
Hamburger and Rice Formula
Use a good, aromatic white rice like Basmati or Jasmine. Cook one part rice in 5 or 6 parts water, rather than the usual 1:2 ratio. This will make the rice very soft and easily digestible. Cook hamburger, either by boiling it and pouring off the liquid, or sautéing and rinsing afterwards. Drain it and mix the hamburger in equal parts with the rice mixture. Regular ground beef seems to be better tolerated than venison.
After your dog has been fasted for a time (usually 8 to 12 hours, but sometimes 24 to 36 hours if there is persistent vomiting and fluids are being given by injection), feeding this formula is less likely to set off another bout of diarrhea or vomiting. Offer small amounts often, allowing the gut to rest an hour or two between feedings, giving less than half the normal amount of a daily ration spread out over the course of the day.
After all signs of GI distress have been gone for a day, start adding in small amounts of the regular diet, gradually changing over to the regular diet over a couple of days. Be careful to avoid treats and fatty food during this time. Have plenty of fresh water available, as always, though because the rice has so much water you might not see your dog drinking as much as usual.
Here’s a recipe for tasty treats for healthy dogs —
Dog Biscuits
2 cups whole wheat flour
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup parmesan cheese
1 egg
1/3 cup powdered milk
enough water to make a stiff dough
Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Turn dough out on a greased cookie sheet, using your hands to press it out to desired thickness (about 1/8″ to 1/4″). Use a sharp knife to score dough into biscuits of desired size and shape. Bake in 350 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes until nicely browned. Turn off the oven, leaving the biscuits to dry for several hours or overnight. The longer you leave them in the oven, the crisper they will be. Break biscuits apart and store tightly covered. Freeze extras in zipper bags, and take out a week’s worth as needed.
Optional ingredients: sesame seeds, chopped sunflower seeds, wheat germ, molasses
