Why I don't share generic dog food recipes online.

There are numerous unbalanced recipes floating around online, and many people improvise their own crockpot dog meals (believing that any fresh food is superior to kibble). This has often made me consider sharing a well-balanced recipe.

Why don’t I?

Because of all the comments I see when others share them.

• My dog is allergic to ____what can I substitute?

• I can’t find ____ what can I substitute?

• Why is the heart cooked? Shouldn’t it be raw or all the nutrients will be destroyed?

• Why are there so many veggies? Dogs don’t need veggies!

• I can’t afford ___ what can I substitute?

• Why are we using eggshell, isn’t it toxic?

• Why do I need this supplement? Can’t I use all food?

• Can I use fresh salmon vs canned salmon?

• Can I substitute sardines for salmon?

• The recipe says raw but my dog does better on cooked, can I cook it?

• How long do I cook the ____?

• I can’t afford ____ (but I don’t want to feed quinoa or grains to help bring costs down)

• The recipe says steam but can I add everything to a slow cooker?

I mean, the list is endless and it’s the reason I offer one on one consultations. Each dog and their person can be addressed individually and I can base the recipe on the feeding and health history along with client budget.

Dogs that have been eating kibble for their whole lives may require a diet with a higher carbohydrate content initially. Transitioning directly to a high-fat, fresh food diet can be overwhelming for them, leading to vomiting and/or diarrhea.

While a standard recipe might benefit certain dogs, I personally would be concerned about those dogs that might not thrive due to substitutions, skipped supplements, or the specific dietary needs of their breed or individual dog being overlooked by the owner.

While it might be simpler to only provide recipes for $5 without any support, I find myself unable to do so. Additionally, it is disheartening that recipes are often criticized by different food communities without the chance to clarify or justify the choice of ingredients.

That's why I continue to rely on my consultations - their framework has stayed consistent since my early days of being mentored/trained, because it has proven effective (and has been successful for over 20 years) and can be customized for each consultation as required. I enjoy establishing connections with clients and their dogs, and that will always be the top priority in my business.