2 healthy homemade dog food recipes

Don't spend another moment in line at the pet store. Make these cost-effective and super-healthy dog meals right at home.

This easy-to-make recipe appeals to dogs and strengthens their bones. Although it is not inexpensive, it costs less than canned dog foods and you can vouch for the quality of its ingredients.

      What you need:

• 500 g (1 lb) ground chicken or hamburger
• 1L (4 c) cooked oatmeal or brown rice
• 50 g (1/2 c) bread crumbs
• 50 ml (1/4 c) vegetable oil
• 15 ml (1 tbsp) bonemeal (available at garden centres)
• 1 pet vitamin, crushed
• 125 g (1/2 c) shredded cheddar cheese

  What to do:

  1. In a skillet over moderate heat, brown meat, stirring frequently. Remove from heat.

  2. Stir in other ingredients and enough water to keep the mixture from being crumbly.

  3. Cool and store in the refrigerator for one week or in the freezer for up to three months.Feed according to weight of dog. Feed a 2.5 kilogram (five pound) dog 125 gram (1/2 cup) daily; double the serving for every 2.5 kilograms (five pounds). Monitor your dog's weight and adjust portions to avoid obesity.

  Makes 1.5 kilograms (six cups).

If you want a nutritious beef-and-wheat-free diet for your pet, this combination will satisfy its appetite and may even keep its weight under control. This is also an economical dog food with fresh ingredients.

    What you need:

• 1.5 kg (3 lbs) chicken, with skin and bone
• 350 g (1 1/2 c) cooked oatmeal or brown rice
• 1 dog vitamin
• 500 g (1 lb) fat-free cottage cheese

  What to do:

  1. Poach, bake, or microwave chicken until well done. Cool and cut into 1.25 centimetre (1/2 inch) cubes. Drain and reserve pan juices to use as soup stock. Discard bones. Cook oatmeal or rice according to package directions and let cool.

  2. In a large bowl, mix together cubed chicken and grains. Crumble vitamin and stir it in. Drain cottage cheese and fold it into the mixture.

  3. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Feed according to weight of dog. Feed a 2.5 kilogram (five pound) dog 125 grams (1/2 cup) daily; double the serving for every 2.5 kilogram (five pounds). Monitor your dog's weight and adjust portions to avoid obesity.

  Makes 12 servings, 125 grams (1/2 cup) each.