10 Healthy Homemade Dog Food Recipes and Organic Treats - Pt 4

Beef Stew This dog-approved version of beef stew includes meat for protein, vegetables for vitamins, and gravy for flavor. This is a good alternative to wet commercial dog foods. Ingredients 1 pound of beef stew meat 1 small sweet potato 1/2 cup of carrots, diced 1/2 cup of green beans, diced 1/2 cup of flour 1/2 cup of water or organic vegetable oil, plus 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil for frying Directions Cook the sweet potato in a microwave for 5 to 8 minutes until firm but tender. Set aside. Slice the stew pieces into smaller chunks, about the size of a nickel. Cook the stew pieces in a tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium heat for 10-15 minutes or until well-done. Remove the beef chunks from the pan, reserving the drippings. Dice the sweet potato. Heat the drippings over medium-low heat. Slowly add flour and water into the dripping while whisking to create a thick gravy. Add the meat, sweet potato, carrots, and green beans into the gravy and stir to coat. Cook until the carrots are tender – about 10 minutes. Serve cool. Store remaining stew in the fridge for up to five days. Pro Tip: You can purchase pre-made gravy at some health food stores. This may save you time when making this food. Fruit Parfait for Dogs Your dog deserves a nice dessert every once in a while. This parfait mixes dairy and fruit, so it tastes great but also gives your pup a nice dose of vitamins and protein. Ingredients 1/2 cup plain, non-fat yogurt 1/2 cup of strawberries, diced 1/2 cup of blueberries, diced 1/2 cup of applesauce Directions Blend all ingredients in a medium size bowl until the yogurt is smooth and the fruit is well blended. Serve in small amounts. Store in the fridge for up to seven days. Pro Tip: On days you plan to serve your pup a fruit parfait, reduce the amount of regular food by one half to one cup to keep from over-feeding. Final Word While most dogs can handle a variety of different treats fed in small doses, some might get an upset stomach if you switch foods too quickly or too often. Before you start making your own homemade dog food, talk to your vet and ask if he or she has any special ingredient suggestions, as some breeds may be more prone to food allergies than others. After getting your vet’s approval, switch your dog’s food over gradually, slowing mixing in a homemade dish with your regular food over the course of several days. Have you made homemade dog treats or organic dog food before? What have the results been like?