I started MAKING food for our 15 yr old dog :-o

[petspoiler]

I've heard so many people talk about doing this & really thought I NEVER would, but Lo & Behold now I am!
I have fed her the best canned+dry+biscuits that is sold in this small town (Canidae) up till now.
She went from overweight in the past, to dropping weight & getting too thin. but the vet recommended against changing her food because of an age-related heart condition. also another blood level test is severely high but I can't remember what it's called :-/

The last couple weeks she has barely eaten. I eliminated her anti-inflammatory med in case it was making her barf a couple times a day. I really thought it's just The End.
Watching her drop weight & refuse even favorite snacks (but otherwise enjoying life), I started cooking for her.
I read up on websites & managed to find a combo that doesn't give her loose stools. No point in cooking if it makes a dog have to run outside & crap all the time.
She is eating & perking up. I don't know what I'm doing, basically compromising between the info I found online.
My first recipe is a basic stop-gap mix, not "complete or ideal" according to web research.

I'm trying to find ingredients that are canine appropriate, SIMPLE and
1. easily assimilated
2. fattening
3. easy on the tummy & make firm stools.
4. don't worsen joint inflammation.

I might switch rice for sweet potatoes if that's healthier.?
Any EXPERIENCED dog food DIY's ideas, I'd appreciate input.
This is the first combo that is working "for now", listing sort of in order of bulk amount according to me just eyeing it:

Boiled eggs & fried hamburger, brown rice, a spoonful of raw coconut oil, fish oil, a spoon of baked ground eggshell powder for calcium & to help firm stools.
I guess DIY dogfoods need a multi-vitamin & chelated mineral supplement, but I am a simple-minded cook.

when she comes asking for a snack (Goodies On Demand I give her a boiled egg, which seems to satisfy her.
I know her time is limited, but am just happy to see her enjoy eating.

Input appreciated from any of you who are knowledgeable.

 

[krichardson]

Sorry I can't offer any advice but I was wondering which breed she is?

 

[krausch]

When my dog had Giardia, he was losing weight. During the treatment the vet had him on, the best thing, he said, for his stomach was boiled chicken breasts with white or brown rice. He loved it; even though, to me, it seemed gross. I'm not sure about the high fat content you mentioned, but just another idea for ya.

 

[petspoiler]

When my dog had Giardia, he was losing weight. During the treatment the vet had him on, the best thing, he said, for his stomach was boiled chicken breasts with white or brown rice. He loved it; even though, to me, it seemed gross. I'm not sure about the high fat content you mentioned, but just another idea for ya.

yeah chicken is good. I've been sick, didn't feel like going shopping & she looked about at deaths' door so I started with things I already have here, plus the more affordable meats. In my town grocery prices totally suck.

 

[petspoiler]

Sorry I can't offer any advice but I was wondering which breed she is?

She's Boxer x Rhodesian Ridgeback, & clearly inherited the best of both breeds.
In her prime she ranged from 75 - 85 lbs.

 

[Red Devil]

that sounds like a great diet.. and you are doing very well.. also can add some eggs for added protein.... and make those sweet potato chips I told you about. they will all love them

 

[petspoiler]

thanks Liz. Yeah, she gets eggs every day now, along with the cheapest hamburger having a high % fat. Her appetite is more normal, she's "filling out" and moving stronger & with better balance.
Searches about canine nutrition turn up info saying that dogs don't need carbs like humans do, and fat is what they utilize for energy. They also don't have the cardiovascular disease risks from fat.
She already has untreatable age-related heart condition(s), so I'm just aiming for strength & quality of life.
This is not really more expensive than it was when she ate full portions of her canned dog food, plus dry & biscuits. We aren't buying any of that now.
So far, so good. Balancing ingredients for healthy stools is the trickiest part. that is because of her needing condensed calories. Items that create bulk fill her up too much, which compromises the amount of strength recovery I see in her.
Nevertheless, so far So good. she is doing better than well over a year ago.

You know, the vet must've been very off base regarding her diet. she was skeptical of Canidae foods' higher fat contents & told me to keep her on the Senior formula for it's heart benefits. but what I'm feeding her now is way fattier than their younger life stage formulas.
:-/
I guess if she will be eating this for very long, I need to make sure the vit/min & other nutrients are correctly balanced. and that is fine.