making raw dog food

We did it.  We made raw dog food.  And it was pretty easy! 

Only because there is a great video on making a BALANCED raw dog food which was formulated by Steve Brown (aka the king of raw dog food).
Everyone with pets needs to know Rodney Habib and Dr. Becker and if you want to make your own raw dog food, watch their video HERE

I have been raw feeding my dogs since 2011.  Pet nutrition is one of my biggest passions.  The only downside to raw feeding is that it's expensive.  There is NO cheap way to make your own balanced raw food either, especially with beef.  This project was simply done for the knowledge that we could make BALANCED food if we were in a pinch and all pet food stores were closed.  Making your own raw food also means you get really fresh food.  It's a bummer when you buy expensive raw food at the pet store only to find that the food inside is completely iced up with freezer burn.  

Lottie and Minnow LOVED eating this beef recipe too and that was really the most important thing.  We now have almost 10 lbs. of our food in easy to use frozen patties. 

If this is interesting to you and you have NEVER fed your dog raw food... make your batch into 1 oz. sized patties and use as a treat.  The most important thing to do when it comes to transitioning to raw, real food is to go slow.  Let your dog get used to raw food as treats for a month before trying raw meals. Consulting a pet nutritionist or holistic vet is also advised before going ALL RAW.

What exactly is Raw?  A complete and balanced Raw Diet contains pure, whole food ingredients for optimal nutrient absorption as well as natural enzymes for digestive health.  Raw Meals also provide nutrition in its purest form – including proteins, vitamins, and minerals that are ready for the body to utilize.  Raw means Not Cooked - none of the important natural nutrients have been cooked out of the meal.

BENEFITS OF A RAW DIET:

• Maintains healthy teeth and healthy mouths

• Promotes shinier, healthier skin and coat

• Maintains a healthy digestive tract

• Aids in weight control

• Provides proper hydration (especially important for cats)

• Easier to digest

• Increased mobility in older animals

• Provides Live enzymes

• Firmer stools

• Reduced allergy symptoms

While processed foods offer great convenience, our pets’ digestive tracts are actually designed for fresh Raw food. Again, Raw means Not Cooked - none of the important natural nutrients have been cooked out of the meal.   Heat processing destroys most anti-oxidants, healthy oils, phytonutrients, enzymes and living beneficial micro-organisms.  This can result in your pet not getting enough digestive enzymes in their diet which makes their pancreas work harder at producing them.

bed

 

Thanks to Mark for building my dream dog bed. It turned out perfect!!  We actually had everything to make this bed... cedar, vintage mod legs, and two beds that fit perfectly inside.  I am partial to the bed that fits directly inside however the bed with the snuggle-up sides is probably preferred by the dogs.  Lottie loves her custom bed.  Now we need to design one for Minnow...perhaps with a built-in step since she's got the luxating patellas in her back legs. 

lurcher

until recently, I had never heard of a lurcher - a sight hound, scent hount cross breed. yesterday I got to meet my first lurcher, Buder. Just look at the gorgeous orange eyes! part greyhound, part coonhound. I love hounds.

silhouettes

Yesterday was one of those perfect kind of October days where it's a little warmer than normal and full of fall sunshine with bright blue skies. Feeling creative, I took advantage of this beautiful day by sitting outside and painting some dog silhouettes on pumpkins for a window display at the Hydrant. I was completely inspired by some photos I saw of Cloud 7's exclusive pop-up shop at Normann Copenhagen's concept store...

cozy hound

These are some gorgeous martingale collars!  I met crafty collar maker, Judy Allen, when I shot photos of greyhounds at a rescue event back in May.  Cozy Hound martingales are super durable and made with high quality ribbon. Judy's got a pattern to please every hound owner as well... naturally I gravitate towards her modern line.  I've had a good time photographing Judy's beautiful collars and if you want to see more, here's a link to the Hydrant's Pinterest page.  All are available for sale at the Hydrant.

eight

  

happy birthday Lottie! 

Mark made a special birthday filet mignon dinner to celebrate... delicious.

one!

Happy Birthday Minnow!  Who doesn't love a birthday burger?

gathering of the hounds

greyhound cuteness overload!  these are some of the beautiful hounds that posed for me at the Great Lakes Greyhound of Indiana's event today.  (yes there was a teacup chihuahua hanging out amongst the hounds)  I enjoyed meeting all of these sweet dogs and hope to see them again sometime at future greyhound events.