Know Better for Dogs - Chicken Recipe - For Making Homemade Dog Food

Egg yolk, calcium lactate, chicken liver powder, gelatin, whey protein concentrate, rice bran, beet root, psyllium husks, EFA from fish, barley grass powder, kelp, taurine, rose hip, parsley, Vitamin B complex. 

The ingredients we use are without exception of human grade quality. All raw materials are 100% natural, and no preservatives, colours, or other artificial additives are used.

Makes a 3lb. batch

Ingredients

• 2lbs. (900g) meat of your choice (ground or chopped)
• 1 1/2 cups of water*
• 1/2 cup Know Better for Dogs
• 1/2 lb. (225g) vegetables, chopped and steamed (vegetables are optional).

Directions
For convenience, make larger batches and freeze. 
(* Add more water if desired - especially when preparing the food using ground meat.)

1. In a large pot, combine 2lbs. meat, 1 1/2 cups of water and optional vegetables.  Cook on medium heat for 5-7 minutes until just browned. Do not over cook. 
2. Allow to cool to room temperature.
3. Add 1/2 cup Know Better powder and mix thoroughly
4. Divide into serving sizes based on the weight of your dog.  The fresh mixture will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.  Freeze the rest for storage.
   
   Daily servings: 
   1/4lb. or 1/2 cup - for a 10-12lb. dog
   1/2lb. or 1 cup - for a 20-25lb. dog
   1lb. or 2 cups - for a 40-50lb. dog
   2lbs. or 4 cups - for a 100lb. dog

Tips

• Thaw frozen dog food by warming to room temperature in a warm water before serving and remove un-eaten food within 30 minutes to be refrigerated. Do not leave the food out at room temperature.
• Avoid microwaving on a regular basis.

Click here for our preparation video!

Choosing Meats
 

Since muscle meats are important ingredients in a homemade diet, special care should be taken when selecting meat for your dog. Meats must be fresh and should be no greater than 15-20% fat content. Although most dogs appear to have a preference for beef, the following meats are equally well suited in the preparation of your dog's food:

Beef - lean pre-ground stewing meat, heart boneless steak or roast

Lamb - pre-ground boneless stewing meat shank, leg or butt

Poultry - pre-ground boneless, skinless breast fillet or thigh

Venison - pre-ground stewing meat neck, shank, or shoulder

Or use more exotic meats such as buffalo, caribou, elk, moose, duck or rabbit.

Try your local butcher or meat processor when purchasing your dog's meats. Supermarkets often cannot supply in bulk quantities and its pre-packaged meats may make it more difficult to obtain the correct amount for the recipe. A butcher will be glad to weigh out your meat and grind the meat for you on the spot.

Meat ground with bone-in is not recommended.

The use of fish is not advised. as feeding raw fish can lead to a thiamine deficiency. (*According to Houpt, Hintz & Shepherd in 1978. Ref. The Domestic Dog, Cambridge University Press, 1995)
 

Vegetables
 

Although Know Better for Dogs contains all of the essential vitamins and minerals, the addition of optional vegetables, lightly steamed, in a dog's diet is an excellent source of carbohydrates - particularly for larger or highly active dogs. According to veterinary sources, dogs do not require carbohydrates, unless a female is lactating.

Vegetables to add: Squash, pumpkin, cucumber, zucchini, carrots, parsnips, beets, yams, sweet potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts.

Vegetables to avoid: Beans (raw), peas, spinach, beet greens, kale (everyday), chard, onions, garlic, leek, green tomato, potato, bell peppers.

The use of garlic and other members of the Lily family such as onions, garlic, shallots, and chives in dog food is not advised. Ingestion of these plants in a raw, cooked, or dried form can lead to damage of the red blood cells, which are rejected by the body from the bloodstream, and a continued use of garlic or onions can eventually result in hemolytic anemia. If the anemia is not controlled by discontinuing the use of the plants, it can potentially lead to death. Dogs should never be given raw, un-aged garlic because it is very irritating to the mouth, esophagus, and stomach and can cause or exacerbate ulcers." The nightshade family of plants such as tomatoes, potatoes, and bell peppers contain a bitter poisonous alkaloid called "Solanine". Solanine is toxic to humans as well, but it requires a much more concentrated amount, like that found in green potatoes and potato sprouts, to induce sickness. Raw green beans should not be fed as they contain a toxic alkaloid similar to arsenic. Cooking green beans will destroy these toxins.

Based on "as fed" per pound of finished dog food including meat - Beef - 85% lean.