Saving Money & Wasting Less

Lesson 3: Food

Pet food

Dogs and cats do not need processed food (except perhaps puppies of larger breeds in their first year, for which you need to make absolutely sure they're getting enough vitamins and calcium). Raw meat mixed with (preferably liquified or well mashed) vegetables is a much more natural diet for an adult dog or cat.

A dog will relish an occasional meal of just a few raw bones or a lamb shank, and some table scraps, and its teeth will be much cleaner and healthier than those of a dog fed exclusively on canned food.

WARNING: Never give a dog a cooked bone of any description. All bones must be raw.

There are many simple recipes for dog and biscuits and treats (see Pet food preparation for example) and cooked meals such as meatloaf for dogs.

A simple recipe for a treat biscuit for a dog is to make a pastry of plain flour and stock (with no raising agent). For an extra tasty treat you can add things like dried milk, grated cheese, a beaten egg, or Brewer's yeast, and so on. Mix well. Roll the mixture out to about 5 mm (1/4 in) thick or thicker, cut into squares or rectangles, then bake in an oven at around 190°C (375°F) for fifteen minutes. Turn off the oven but do not open it until it is cold (leave overnight) to allow the biscuits to harden.

Another simple dog treat is to slice raw liver thinly and place the slices on a greased tray. Bake in an oven at around 190°C (375°F) for fifteen minutes then turn the oven off and leave the treats in the oven overnight to harden.

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