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I have three border collie cattle dog crosses and a mini foxi. They will eat, carrots, hay, broccoli, cat food, dry dog food, and horse feed. BUT they will not even attempt canned food. I once worked in a pet shop, the most important lesson I learnt was how to make homemade dog food and why.

I have a simple recipe. Meat, vegies, rice and pasta. Cook it, then let put it in the fridge. Whilst it is cooking, I throw in things that I have in my cupboard. Herbs, spices, left overs and stock. Some things that my dog food is never without is mint and garlic.

I have had some people tell me that I should not feed my animals garlic and mint and other veggies and pasta. I simply say, I have four very active dogs, their coats are healthy, there full of energy, and my vet says that they will live for years. I will advise that you speak to your vet with feeding rates, as not every animal is a working dog and needs that much protein.

I was told once that by adding the Mint and garlic that is taints the flavour of the blood. Thus making the dog yucky for the flea. I know that this works. I live on a farm, my dogs roll around in the dirt and dust and just get down right dirty. Yet they do not have a flea problem when I have them on my doggy diet.

I have also found that it is plain cheaper. 1kg of mince meat (kangaroo, beef, chicken, mixed) 3 cups of rice (brown or white makes no difference) 3 cups of frozen mixed veggies, or fresh if you wish to chop them, some pasta and the mint and garlic. This feeds my dogs for 1 week. This is how I work out it is cheaper:

1 x bag dry dog food $32.00 (20kg) it lasts about 3 weeks
1 x 1kg mince meat $2.00 - $3.50
1 x bag mixed veggies $2.75
1 x packet 1kg rice $3.20
Herbs $3.20 (lasts about 3 months)
Garlic $2.65 (large jar lasts about 3 months)

And canned dog food, which for the size of my dogs, I have to feed 1 can. Is $1.95 - $2.95 depending on brand each dog every night. So the extra effort for dumping it into a large pot for 20 mins, I save about $30-$40 bucks a week.

So for me, this is an option that I can not pass up. Its healthier, its cheaper and my dogs don't have fleas.

And the biggest plus is the garlic smell does not come out in the dogs, the mint does on their breath.

Learn more about this author, Tamerea Fritz.
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