How much homemade food to feed

[GSP-OWNER]

Hello,

I have two GSP puppies, 13 weeks old. They are currently getting fed a total of 4 cups/day dry kibble. If I were to use a homemade recipe (meat, brown rice and a veggie) and cook for them would 1 cup of homemade food equal one cup of dry kibble? Or is there a difference in volume with one being dry and the other moist?

Thanks.

[malluver1005]

Hi...I also cook for my big boy. I boil salmon for him, but give him raw veggies. I mix this in with his dinner. He gets 1 cup of kibble only in the morning, and 1 cup of kibble and about 1.5-2 cups of salmon and veggies. I don't know if 1 cup of homemade would equal 1 cup of kibble. I really don't think kibble and moist foods are measured the same way. If I were you, I would start of with a little of meat, rice, and veggies and see how your pups do from there. If they gain a few pounds then cut back. If they start to lose a few, add some more. This is how I was with Aspen. I never really measured things out, except for his kibble...

[claybuster]

Hi...I also cook for my big boy. I boil salmon for him, but give him raw veggies. ...

RAW VEGGIES...OMG.

[malluver1005]

RAW VEGGIES...OMG.

Yeah, it's working for us believe it or not. He's had them since he was about 1.5 years old. And now he's 4. He's never had diarrhea or other negative things because of the veggies...And he loves them!!

[RawFedDogs]

Yeah, it's working for us believe it or not. He's had them since he was about 1.5 years old. And now he's 4. He's never had diarrhea or other negative things because of the veggies...And he loves them!!

Other than not giving him diarrhea, how are the veggies working?

[malluver1005]

Other than not giving him diarrhea, how are the veggies working?

Well, I've heard that canines can't digest them properly. Especially carrots. He does fine on them...His poops are always healthy looking and he only goes once a day...No carrots or other veggies in the poop, ever!!

If they don't come out in the poop, I just don't get how he isn't benefiting from them. And I probably never will because I've had lots of people tell me not to give veggies. Why not? He's digesting them fine and he's never had any problems...

About a year ago, I had him on Pro Plan. I know I know, I didn't know anything about dog nutrition. He was on veggies already. But not fish. He looked and acted as good as he does now, so I'm thinking the veggies helped him. I'm sure the kibble didn't...

My brother had a purebred Akita that lived to be 17!! His diet was kibble, little bits of meat and lots of veggies. I've seen countless dogs an a similar diet that live to be really old...

[FarmFreshDogs]

Please correct me if I am wrong.

But wild dogs, whom eat exclusively all raw meat diet. Tend to also eat grasses and the like in order to balance out fiber intake. Now I may be wrong but grass type plants are vegetables in nature aren't they? So I do not see how a dog on a natural diet would have problems digesting vegetables. The only difference I see with wild canines, and domesticated canines, is that Domesticated canines are use to human contact, and for the most part trained in some manner. Where as wild canines receive neither. Biologically they are exactly the same.
As with anything in life, when beginning something new, either for yourself or your household pets. Always start out slowly and monitor your 'experiment' closely to ensure the results you wish to obtain, and ensure little to no adverse side effects occur. Always use your sound judgment as a basis to modify or cease the changed item in any way.

Sincerest Regards;
FarmFreshDogs

[vtbouvs]

Ok I see a repeat of what happened with my question below... She asked HOW MUCH To FEED... Not if Veggies should be added...
From the information I have found you start with the the same formula as raw.. 1-3% of the dogs body weight and adjust from that point... I hope this is helpful...

[RawFedDogs]

If they don't come out in the poop, I just don't get how he isn't benefiting from them. And I probably never will because I've had lots of people tell me not to give veggies. Why not? He's digesting them fine and he's never had any problems...

He isn't benefiting from them because with is dentation, he is incapable of crushing the cellulose layer around the plant cells. Without the cellulose layer being penetrated, no nutrition can escape. It doesn't mean it will cause him a problem. It just means that he can't derive any nutrition from them.

About a year ago, I had him on Pro Plan. I know I know, I didn't know anything about dog nutrition. He was on veggies already. But not fish. He looked and acted as good as he does now, so I'm thinking the veggies helped him. I'm sure the kibble didn't...

It would be nice if that were the case but it isn't.

My brother had a purebred Akita that lived to be 17!! His diet was kibble, little bits of meat and lots of veggies. I've seen countless dogs an a similar diet that live to be really old...

I have known old people who smoked all their lives. It doesn't mean the cigarettes contributed to their longevity.

[RawFedDogs]

Please correct me if I am wrong.

You are.

But wild dogs, whom eat exclusively all raw meat diet. Tend to also eat grasses and the like in order to balance out fiber intake. Now I may be wrong but grass type plants are vegetables in nature aren't they? So I do not see how a dog on a natural diet would have problems digesting vegetables.

A couple of points that you missed. Yes, most dogs from time to time will graze on grass. No one really knows why. Most of the time it is vomited back pretty quickly, usually within minutes. It looks the same as when it went in except it is mixed in a yellowish bile. If it isn't thrown up, it will come out the anus still looking like it did when it went in except it is twisted in a little rope. I don't have a clue how they make it into that rope. Since it looks the same coming back out either end, you can't say it was digested or any nutrients are derived from it.