2 cups dry rajma(remember..this may cause gas..add a bit of hing or ginger while cooking the rajma..but not too much), soaked and cooked well.
3 cups whole milk.
1 cup ragi(made into a gruel with the milk)
4 large eggs
2 tbsp vegetable oil
some kind of cheese, if available or maybe paneer or amul..
vit E
2.5 tsp crushed eggshell powder
2 cups vegetables(including carrots, spinach or greens..NO onion, if adding garlic, cook completely)
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Nutritional profile for Dogs
Protein:
18% > healthy dogs(adult)
30% > puppies not yet weaned
22% > reproduction
28% > during lactation
Fat:
5% > maintenance
8% > reproduction/growth
higher(upto 50%) can sometimes be tolerated by the dogs..but why? this will surely result in an inadequate nutrition.
Variety is important. Meat no more than 2 a week is really not necessary. Grains and vegetables for carbohydrates/energy is important. Vitamins and Calcium is also crucial for a dog's overall good health.
A tsp of vegetable oil(or cod liver oil or olive oil) a day will keep their coat shiny. It can be mixed in their food too.
The dog needs plenty of water and if the dog doesnt drink water, make sure that the food is 'watery'..so the dog stays hydrated by other means.
Overfeeding dogs is a common problem. A healthy, fit dog is better than a fat, unhealthy dog.
Exercise is important. Shelters should allow volunteers to walk dogs at least 20 mts a day(min thrice a week) if they are kept confined in cages or if they are tied down. The dog will look forward to these walks and will be much happier!
A shiny coat, bright eyes and good teeth/bones can all be achieved from simple homecooked meals and they are cheaper(not to mention healthier because it's fresh) than commercial dry food!
18% > healthy dogs(adult)
30% > puppies not yet weaned
22% > reproduction
28% > during lactation
Fat:
5% > maintenance
8% > reproduction/growth
higher(upto 50%) can sometimes be tolerated by the dogs..but why? this will surely result in an inadequate nutrition.
Variety is important. Meat no more than 2 a week is really not necessary. Grains and vegetables for carbohydrates/energy is important. Vitamins and Calcium is also crucial for a dog's overall good health.
A tsp of vegetable oil(or cod liver oil or olive oil) a day will keep their coat shiny. It can be mixed in their food too.
The dog needs plenty of water and if the dog doesnt drink water, make sure that the food is 'watery'..so the dog stays hydrated by other means.
Overfeeding dogs is a common problem. A healthy, fit dog is better than a fat, unhealthy dog.
Exercise is important. Shelters should allow volunteers to walk dogs at least 20 mts a day(min thrice a week) if they are kept confined in cages or if they are tied down. The dog will look forward to these walks and will be much happier!
A shiny coat, bright eyes and good teeth/bones can all be achieved from simple homecooked meals and they are cheaper(not to mention healthier because it's fresh) than commercial dry food!
Rice and Meat
4 cups cooked rice
1 cup cooked meat chunks(red meat or chicken)
1/4 cup of chicken liver(or heart or kidney)< this neednt be given everyday..once or twice a week should suffice.
2 cups cooked vegetables(dont forget carrots!)
1 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
1 cup cooked greens(its not much when its cooked down..it's good for the dog)
1/4 tsp(biggish pinch)finely powdered eggshell
1 tsp saffola/vegetable oil
1 cup cooked meat chunks(red meat or chicken)
1/4 cup of chicken liver(or heart or kidney)< this neednt be given everyday..once or twice a week should suffice.
2 cups cooked vegetables(dont forget carrots!)
1 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
1 cup cooked greens(its not much when its cooked down..it's good for the dog)
1/4 tsp(biggish pinch)finely powdered eggshell
1 tsp saffola/vegetable oil
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Makki ke Atta, vegetarian recipe
4 cups milk(skim or low fat is ok. dont dilute full fat milk instead. dont get nestle tetrapak..fresh milk is better.)
1 cup makki ke atta
2 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1 tsp veg/saffola oil
1/2 cup carrots, green beans, pumpkin etc, cooked(no onions..maybe 1 clove of garlic crushed and cooked)
1 multivitamin(for dogs)
1/4 tsp finely powdered eggshell powder(or 1/2 tsp calcium/bone meal or 500mg calcium tablet)
100-200 IU Vit E
15mg iron supplement in the form of syrup or pill/capsule contents.
(ragi is rich in iron, so you can skip iron supplement if you are using ragi. if you are using meat or chicken livers, you dont need to include the iron supplement either. but if there is no meat and its rava(sooji) or rice with dhal, its better to include iron supplement even if you add milk or eggs. dont add it as a default supplement because too much iron in the diet is also not a good thing.)
you can get approx about 6 cups of dog food from this. enough for about 2-3 dogs.
1 cup makki ke atta
2 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1 tsp veg/saffola oil
1/2 cup carrots, green beans, pumpkin etc, cooked(no onions..maybe 1 clove of garlic crushed and cooked)
1 multivitamin(for dogs)
1/4 tsp finely powdered eggshell powder(or 1/2 tsp calcium/bone meal or 500mg calcium tablet)
100-200 IU Vit E
15mg iron supplement in the form of syrup or pill/capsule contents.
(ragi is rich in iron, so you can skip iron supplement if you are using ragi. if you are using meat or chicken livers, you dont need to include the iron supplement either. but if there is no meat and its rava(sooji) or rice with dhal, its better to include iron supplement even if you add milk or eggs. dont add it as a default supplement because too much iron in the diet is also not a good thing.)
you can get approx about 6 cups of dog food from this. enough for about 2-3 dogs.
Puppy formula!
Puppies need almost 40% fat and over 30% protein in their milk. They need more fat than kittens when they are younglings. And if you are feeding an orphaned puppy, you can completely wean them off formula at 4-5 weeks. Solids made with sooji or rice, mashed veggies as in baby food(slowly introducing meat into the diet)..mixed with puppy formula and mashed cooked chicken liver...can be made into a porridge and given when they are about 2-3 weeks old. it's easier to make a large batch and divide them. it shouldnt be refridgerated for more than 3 days, but can be frozen.
Puppy formula(from Dr.Pitcairn's book)...1 cup is about 250 calories. They dont need much. Most people overfeed puppies. They dont need a lot, but they need it often..every 2 hours in the beginning and every 4 hours by the time they are about 4-5 weeks!
a. 3/4 cup half-half(i.e. 50% milk and 50% cream)
b. 1 cup whole milk(pref goat's milk..too much cow's milk may cause indigestion. in india donkey's milk is also popular. its a good substitute for even human mothers' milk!)
c. 2 large eggs
d. 1/2 tbsp protein powder(we can get proteinex at the pharmacies..and its only 1/2 tbsp..it'll go a long way!)
e. 1/3 tsp crushed eggshell powder(cheapest source of homemade calcium..of course..you can also get bone meal calcium supplements/tablets etc)
f. 1 day's worth of crushed vitamin supplement
Puppy formula(from Dr.Pitcairn's book)...1 cup is about 250 calories. They dont need much. Most people overfeed puppies. They dont need a lot, but they need it often..every 2 hours in the beginning and every 4 hours by the time they are about 4-5 weeks!
a. 3/4 cup half-half(i.e. 50% milk and 50% cream)
b. 1 cup whole milk(pref goat's milk..too much cow's milk may cause indigestion. in india donkey's milk is also popular. its a good substitute for even human mothers' milk!)
c. 2 large eggs
d. 1/2 tbsp protein powder(we can get proteinex at the pharmacies..and its only 1/2 tbsp..it'll go a long way!)
e. 1/3 tsp crushed eggshell powder(cheapest source of homemade calcium..of course..you can also get bone meal calcium supplements/tablets etc)
f. 1 day's worth of crushed vitamin supplement
On Supplements
Fish oil, Vit E, Vit C are all necessary supplements. Nori or sea weed will also contribute to their overall health. Alfalfa powder, wheatgerm etc is also good for them.
Just a spoon of vegetable(corn) oil or olive oil to their food will take care of their needs generally. Some people add multi vitamins and calcium tablets to the dog food. If the cooked meal isnt sufficient or wholesome enough, this is a good idea.
I would rather go for natural sources from food rather than add multi vitamins. I would rather give the multi vitamin just twice or thrice a week. No need to include it everyday.
Just a spoon of vegetable(corn) oil or olive oil to their food will take care of their needs generally. Some people add multi vitamins and calcium tablets to the dog food. If the cooked meal isnt sufficient or wholesome enough, this is a good idea.
I would rather go for natural sources from food rather than add multi vitamins. I would rather give the multi vitamin just twice or thrice a week. No need to include it everyday.
On Grains and Legumes
Some people will tell you that grains are not good for dogs and that they need meat. I wouldnt support that statement. In fact, dogs can do without meat and gain all their nutrition from grains and vegetables(with eggs and milk, of course...and a calcium or multi vitamin supplement).
Some grains to make their porridge with milk/curd and veggies...maybe a cooked egg.
Rice
Barley
Ragi
Corn meal
Rava(sooji)
Oats
Soy flakes are also a great source of protein, but this is not for everyday meals.
Chapatis are fine as long as they are not fed too much as it can get pasty in their stomachs. No Naans or anything that has a leavening agent or baking soda/powder.
Dogs love pasta! Once a week, a nice macaroni bake with cheese and eggs with veggies(of course) will make them very happy!
With rice, cooked and mashed moong dhal or toor dhal can be added along with vegetables nd rice for a wholesome meal. A dash of curd wont hurt either. If the dog is a meat eater, a little bit of meat with occasional organ meats over the week will take care of the dog's needs. A spoon of powdered eggshells will take care of the calcium. Otherwise, calcium tablets or bone meal tablets are available in medical/wholefoods/pet stores. This along with a multi vitamin should take care of the necessary supplements. In my opinion, multivitamins and calcium as tablets shouldnt be overdone.
Beans can also be included...channa, rajma,split pea etc.
Some grains to make their porridge with milk/curd and veggies...maybe a cooked egg.
Rice
Barley
Ragi
Corn meal
Rava(sooji)
Oats
Soy flakes are also a great source of protein, but this is not for everyday meals.
Chapatis are fine as long as they are not fed too much as it can get pasty in their stomachs. No Naans or anything that has a leavening agent or baking soda/powder.
Dogs love pasta! Once a week, a nice macaroni bake with cheese and eggs with veggies(of course) will make them very happy!
With rice, cooked and mashed moong dhal or toor dhal can be added along with vegetables nd rice for a wholesome meal. A dash of curd wont hurt either. If the dog is a meat eater, a little bit of meat with occasional organ meats over the week will take care of the dog's needs. A spoon of powdered eggshells will take care of the calcium. Otherwise, calcium tablets or bone meal tablets are available in medical/wholefoods/pet stores. This along with a multi vitamin should take care of the necessary supplements. In my opinion, multivitamins and calcium as tablets shouldnt be overdone.
Beans can also be included...channa, rajma,split pea etc.
On Dairy
Milk products are good for dogs, especially yogurt/curds. It is better if it is made from skim milk or just add more water to dilute if its too creamy/has too much fat. The live cultures in the curds is extremely beneficial for the dogs.
If you can get yogurt, there is no need to feed the dog milk. Yes, your dog may tell you that he loves cheese. But use it as a treat and not as a food. Like us, dogs can do without too much fat in their diets.
Paneer is also a great source of protein esp when mixed with eggs. 1cup paneer plus 4 eggs and a sprinkling of soya flakes(and iron supplement) is a somewhat good protein substitute for meat.
If you can get yogurt, there is no need to feed the dog milk. Yes, your dog may tell you that he loves cheese. But use it as a treat and not as a food. Like us, dogs can do without too much fat in their diets.
Paneer is also a great source of protein esp when mixed with eggs. 1cup paneer plus 4 eggs and a sprinkling of soya flakes(and iron supplement) is a somewhat good protein substitute for meat.
Vegetables and fruits.
Happily, dogs love their veggies. Cauliflower, karela, tomatoes, squash, peas, pumpkins, greenbeans, carrots(raw carrots are esp good for chewing and for keeping their teeth clean)..etc. The green leafy tops of carrots...dogs will eat it! Greens like spinach, lettuce, chard etc.
Potatoes are a great source of starch in dog diets! But never raw potatoes. Skins of potatoes can be poisonous for dogs too. It is also a good idea to limit foods from the nightshade family to which the potato belongs. Other vegetables from the nightshade family are: peppers, tomatoes, potatoes and eggplant.
It is best to avoid onions altogether. And raw garlic too. A little cooked garlic is good as it is believed to kill stomach parasites and some even say..fleas!
Please..no chilli powder in your dog's food.
Dogs love their fruits! I cant think of any fruit that dogs wont eat. Bananas especially are their favourite. Although do exercise control, too much of it can cause diarrehea.
Potatoes are a great source of starch in dog diets! But never raw potatoes. Skins of potatoes can be poisonous for dogs too. It is also a good idea to limit foods from the nightshade family to which the potato belongs. Other vegetables from the nightshade family are: peppers, tomatoes, potatoes and eggplant.
It is best to avoid onions altogether. And raw garlic too. A little cooked garlic is good as it is believed to kill stomach parasites and some even say..fleas!
Please..no chilli powder in your dog's food.
Dogs love their fruits! I cant think of any fruit that dogs wont eat. Bananas especially are their favourite. Although do exercise control, too much of it can cause diarrehea.
On Bones
Dogs LOVE to gnaw/chew on bones. But it is important to remember that they have to be raw bones. Cooked bones can become brittle and will shatter inside your doggie's mouth. We dont want that.
Poultry bones and pork bones, raw or cooked are also not recommended. Both can splinter and break into small pieces, lodging itself in the throat or stomach of the dog.
The best bones are Raw meaty bones. It has the bone and some meat for the dog to chew on. Too much bone isnt good for the dog as it will be too much calcium which can cause constipation.
If you dont want to feed the bones to your dog, make a bone soup! Rinse the bones and throw it in water with just a little bit of salt and teeny bit of vinegar so all th nutrients are extracted from the bones. Use this bone soup to feed the dog or to use it while cooking the dog's food.
Poultry bones and pork bones, raw or cooked are also not recommended. Both can splinter and break into small pieces, lodging itself in the throat or stomach of the dog.
The best bones are Raw meaty bones. It has the bone and some meat for the dog to chew on. Too much bone isnt good for the dog as it will be too much calcium which can cause constipation.
If you dont want to feed the bones to your dog, make a bone soup! Rinse the bones and throw it in water with just a little bit of salt and teeny bit of vinegar so all th nutrients are extracted from the bones. Use this bone soup to feed the dog or to use it while cooking the dog's food.
Organ Meats
Organ meats are rich in nutrients and taurine which is very important. But once again, dogs are not cats and they dont need as much as cats do. Feeding them organ meats twice or thrice a week is enough.
So, what are organ meats..liver(chicken and beef), kidney, heart(chicken and beef), tripe(great if you want to put your dog on a diet for that curvaceous figure..it has all the goodness of meat, but very lean).
The proper way to cook organ meat is to rinse it well and cook it in water for 15-20 mts until done. Discard all the water. Puree the liver(or kidney or heart..but liver is the best source) and add a spoonful of it to the dog's food just twice or thrice a week...no more is necessary. You can also freeze it as a sheet and break off bits of it for every meal or freeze as ice cubes and use it in the dogs' meal whenever you need it.
So, what are organ meats..liver(chicken and beef), kidney, heart(chicken and beef), tripe(great if you want to put your dog on a diet for that curvaceous figure..it has all the goodness of meat, but very lean).
The proper way to cook organ meat is to rinse it well and cook it in water for 15-20 mts until done. Discard all the water. Puree the liver(or kidney or heart..but liver is the best source) and add a spoonful of it to the dog's food just twice or thrice a week...no more is necessary. You can also freeze it as a sheet and break off bits of it for every meal or freeze as ice cubes and use it in the dogs' meal whenever you need it.
On Eggs
Raw egg whites will prevent the dog from absorbing biotin, a B vitamin, but not if you them with the yolks.
Egg shells have plenty of calcium. Dont throw the shells after you use the egg. Wash them well and dry them under heat(over a hot pan or in the oven) so that the mineral oil sprayed over the eggs for preserving it is gone. After you have accumulated enough dried, clean egg shells, buzz them in a blender. Make sure the eggshell powder is smooth. You dont want sharp bits hurting the dog. Grind them smooth, please!
Egg shells have plenty of calcium. Dont throw the shells after you use the egg. Wash them well and dry them under heat(over a hot pan or in the oven) so that the mineral oil sprayed over the eggs for preserving it is gone. After you have accumulated enough dried, clean egg shells, buzz them in a blender. Make sure the eggshell powder is smooth. You dont want sharp bits hurting the dog. Grind them smooth, please!
What NOT to feed Dogs...
Before we know what to feed, here is what we shouldnt feed dogs:
Chocolate
Candy, esp containing sweetener xylitol
Grapes and raisins
Macadamia and walnuts
Moldy foods
Mushrooms
Mustard seeds
Onions, onion powder, shallots, green onions and family
Garlic(raw or spoilt..a little cooked garlic in dogfood is ok)
Yeast dough
Coffee grounds
Tea
Alcohol
Cooked bones which are brittle and can hurt the dog when it shatters. Raw bones are ok, but try to avoid giving them poultry bones because they are too small and can get lodged in their throats. Too much bone is giving the dog too much calcium which can cause constipation among other things.
Try not to feed bread or any product that has yeast in it.
Too many vitamins/supplements/calcium etc because they dont need it! The key is balanced nutrition.
Chocolate
Candy, esp containing sweetener xylitol
Grapes and raisins
Macadamia and walnuts
Moldy foods
Mushrooms
Mustard seeds
Onions, onion powder, shallots, green onions and family
Garlic(raw or spoilt..a little cooked garlic in dogfood is ok)
Yeast dough
Coffee grounds
Tea
Alcohol
Cooked bones which are brittle and can hurt the dog when it shatters. Raw bones are ok, but try to avoid giving them poultry bones because they are too small and can get lodged in their throats. Too much bone is giving the dog too much calcium which can cause constipation among other things.
Try not to feed bread or any product that has yeast in it.
Too many vitamins/supplements/calcium etc because they dont need it! The key is balanced nutrition.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
