I started researching pet nutrition over two years ago when I started this blog. The more I researched the more confusing it got, everyone has their own opinion, feed rice, don’t feed rice, feed veggies, don’t feed veggies. It can be maddening. Then there is the raw food diet controversy, which many dog owners swear by but then vets and nutrition experts are against it. I say if your dog is healthy, then obviously your dogs’ diet is working. I have even read about a vegetarian canine diet. Dogs are carnivores (meat eaters).
As a result, I eat healthier now, too!
I feed my dogs holistic kibble dog food. No corn, wheat or soy. The number one ingredient is always meat, usually chicken. Sometimes I cook rice and mix it with their kibble, usually brown rice, which is healthier. They get bananas, (raw) carrots and apples as treats mostly, sometimes human leftovers. Some pet parents feed their dogs only home cooked food. The key is moderation.
My foster dog gets her food from the rescue, always a high-end holistic formula. She gets different brands though. I have always heard don’t switch dog foods overnight, but mix for seven days before completely switching. I switch brands all the time with my dogs and they are fine. All dogs are different! You know your dog best!
There are many people foods that are healthy for dogs, such as sweet potatoes, yogurt, green beans and blueberries. There are many more. A dog’s system is more like a humans’ than many people realize. Like people, some dogs will like food that other dogs hate. I like to mix up their food. I would hate to eat the same thing day after day!
I found the recipe below from Raise a Green Dog. It is a canine recipe and then some variations for the human version. Enjoy!
Homemade Sweet Potato Chips for dogs and dog lovers!
Lots of folks love their Homemade Sweet Potato Chew recipe for dogs!
Directions:
- Wash and peel two sweet potatoes – organic is best!
- Use a kitchen slicer (if you have one) or cut the potatoes as thin as you can (at least 1/9″ thin).
- Arrange the slices on a baking sheet and brush them with olive oil.
- Bake at 400 degrees for about 20-25 minutes, until the edges begin to curt. (You may want to turn at 10 minutes and re-brush).
- That’s it…cool and let your dog’s enjoy!
For humans, a few variations that you may want to enjoy. You can have one cooking sheet baking for your dog and one for you too!
- Salty – brush a mixture of 2 tb. olive oil, 1 tb. garlic powder, sprinkle with coarse salt.
- Hot and Sweet – brush a mixture of 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper, 2 tb. maple syrup, 2 tb. olive oil and sprinkle with coarse salt.
- Sweet – brush a mixture of 2 tb olive oil, 1/3 tb. cinnamon, 1 tb. maple syrup and then sprinkle with a little coarse salt.
- Herbal – brush a mixture of 2 tb olive oil, crushed garlic clove, 1/4 chopped rosemary and then sprinkle with a little coarse salt.
touch of home 