I bought about four dog food cookbooks at once, after the big dog food scandal, and this was the simplest and the most clearly understood. It made cooking for the dog fun, which is important, since you will be doing this a LOT! I've learned about all the various things they can and cannot eat from the internet, and I've labored through the charts and graphs in other books, but when the food bowl is empty and I'm getting the *big stare*, this book is where I run to for inspiration. Check in the freezer section of your meat department for ground turkey. Also, throwing a pound or two of hamburger in the slow cooker with a bag of frozen vegetables and some brown rice is a definite time saver, plus much safer than some nasty ground who-know's-what from an unregulated factory. I've been getting complaints that the dog food smells better than the people food. Cooking for your pets will be one of those life-time long learning experiences, but this is a great place to start.
P.S. My dog is healthier now, and knows I love him, as well...
A LATER REPRISE!...
After the late canned and dry dog food poisoning scandal, I tried to put my dog on a home cooking diet, but afer a year or so, got this massive lecture from the vet about how my German Sheperd was too fat. So I had to give up the whole daily cooking thing. He said feed her a mere half cup or two of dry food daily. We have lost some weight now, but I fear this diet is too strict, and I don't trust the safety of factory food. So I still use this book, as a weekly additive. My dog is now relatively slim and trim. But the whole 'feed your dog safely' thing is difficult.
I think buying the occasional liver or kidney will still be a better for your pet than some mystery chew from an unknown country. ;)
