Do's and Don'ts of Home Cooking

About a week ago I told you how we came to the decision of home cooking for Chuki. Today is about more practical matters. What can the dog eat and what can't the dog eat? Now, just like cooking for humans there are infinite possibilities of what a puppers can eat. You can get really fancy or you can be super simple. Either way, the dog will (mostly) love everything.

Also just like humans, dogs don't like to eat somethings and shouldn't eat other things. For example, we've learned that Chuki doesn't like raw spinach. Cooked, he has no problem with but don't even try to give him the stuff raw. He really doesn't like any leafy green that is raw, but will eat all of them if cooked. Chuki, like his momma, doesn't like beets... IN ANY FORM. And then there are things that he LOVES! Also, like his momma, the Chukinator LOVES cheese and peanut butter. (bunny trail) The only way that you can determine what he likes and doesn't like is by trying.

We're trying out a new feature. This way you only see part of the post (YES! There's more!), and can click on Read More to see the whole thing.

As far as things you shouldn't feed a dog... Here's a bit of a disclaimer. I have no proof on why you shouldn't feed your dog these things. After my research, everyone has said not to feed your dog these foods and I believe them. I really don't want to find out myself what happens if you do. Chuki is at the vet too often as it is. He doesn't need my research contributing to more poking and prodding. So you just got to take it for what its worth.

What not to feed a dog:

Chocolate/Caffeine in any way, shape or form

Onions

Peppers (bell peppers, hot peppers, black pepper, etc)

Eggplant

Basically any vegetable with a waxy coat like peppers or eggplant

Bones*

Alcohol (ya, ya, ya sometimes it's funny, but it's not good for the pupsters) <--- For MJ

Sprouting potatoes (you shouldn't be eating those either)

Fish**

Sugar

Those darn jumping spiders that Chuki likes to eat about once per month

*More on bones later, but DO NOT feed your dog any cooked bones EVER. They break and splinter and you can assume what happens when your beloved pup has bone splinters in this throat and stomach... not good. You can go to the butcher and ask for BIG RAW beef bones. You want something really thick and sturdy, for lack of a better word. But just keep an eye out.

**There's quite a bit of controversy over fish because of the mercury and other things that seep into them (think: debate over if pregnant women should/n't eat fish). We feed Chuki canned tuna every now and then. HE LOVES IT. Plus the oil is great for his coat. Be wise here.

So that's the DONT list.

Here are things that we (try to) always keep on hand:

Rice

Quinoa

Oatmeal

Ground Beef

Tuna

Eggs

Tomatoes

Zucchini

Broccoli

Spinach

Plain Yogurt

Cheese

Sunflower Oil

Egg Shell Powder

Bone Powder

So if you're planning on home cooking... to the store you go! And don't forget to pick up this book! (and this, this and this).

Recipes to come soon!

MULUB,

Taylor