While I was checking out the Malaysia Dog and Puppy Portal – which I haven’t been checking for months due to my pathetic hectic working life – I stumbled upon a post on homemade food for dogs. It reminded me that I once wanted to share Xiao Bi’s diet plan with everyone. So I thought I should do it this time.
I once referred to plenty of books and online resources to get the best recipe for Xiao Bi. With months of experiments and observations, here is what I have with Xiao Bi now. It’s a basic recipe that will help to keep her healthy with all the nutrients and vitamins needed. My main reference book is still Dr Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats. I really like the book. It’s easy to understand and work around with. These are my modified versions based on the book.
I feed Xiao Bi twice a day, morning and night. Morning at around 8 AM and night at around 8 PM. I notice that if I feed her too early she won’t eat and will forget to eat later. I am not sure why but it’s probably one of her funny habits.
Morning
200g chicken breast meat or beef or mutton or liver, cut into chunks
4 slices bread (wholemeal or white)
1 medium or large egg
1/2 cup of full cream milk
1/4 cup of vegetable (optional)
1/4 tablespoon of garlic
1 tablespoon Healthy Powder (a mixture of nutritious elements like kelp powder, lecithin granule, nutritional yeast and calcium powder. Recipe can be found at Dr Pitcairn’s book)
Mix all ingredients and steam for 10-15 minutes. I normally prepare this at night and feed her in the morning. The Healthy Powder can be added before or after steaming.
Night
250g chicken breast meat or beef or mutton or liver, cut into chunks or pieces
1/2 cup rice or 1 cup rolled oat
1/2 cup of vegetable
1/4 tablespoon of garlic
1 tablespoon Healthy Powder (a mixture of nutritious elements like kelp powder, lecithin granule, nutritional yeast and calcium powder. Recipe can be found at Dr Pitcairn’s book)
Cook the grain first. Add in the meat when it’s half or almost cooked. When the meat is cooked, add in the vege and garlic. Add the Healthy Powder before serving.
Note: Xiao Bi is a 25kg Golden Retriever. You may need to adjust the amount of ingredients to suit your furkids. Dr Pitcairn actually recommended feeding raw meat. However, Xiao Bi is not so into raw meat. Once she just refused to eat. So I have to go back to the cooked version.
Every week, I feed her 4 times of chicken, 2 times of beef, and 1 time of liver for breakfast, and 3 times of chicken, 3 times of beef, and 1 time of liver for dinner. She doesn’t really like mutton recently so I have cut it off, and only feed her like once a fortnight, taking away chicken or beef. Btw, she loves liver – most dogs love liver. But beware. Do not feed more than 10% of the total food consumed per week.
Personally I find her very healthy and active now. The only thing is that I don’t think she is getting enough exercise – well that’s my fault. I haven’t had enough time to play fetch with her. @.@
Hope this helps those who are looking for the perfect recipe in one way or another. :)
