Let me start by saying that I started to feed Alex and Bella human food, at the beginning, always in small quantities, Also, neither one is allergic to any of the ingredients I use, and if you are planning to start feeding your dog human food and have any questions about it, please talk to your vet or better, to a holistic vet.
Tonight, for Alex and Bella’s dinner, I cooked a stir-fry using the following ingredients:
- 1 chicken patty and 1 sausage patty
- Cilantro
- Celery
- Carrots
- Cabbage
- Peas
- Ginger – only for Alex’s arthritis
I started by cooking all the veggies together, except for cilantro and ginger, for a couple of minutes. I then added the chicken and sausage patties to it.
Why am I feeding them human food? I’ve been reading a book, Pukka’s Promise by Ted Kerasote, and he provides excellent information regarding what goes in the kibble many of us, pet parents, buy and feed our dogs. Because of it, I started to feed Alex and Bella a mix of human food and kibble. Again, I started by adding very small quantities in order to avoid upsetting their tummies. Right now they are both eating twice a day: 1/2 cup of kibble + 1 cup of human food.
Do you know what I’ve noticed now that they are eating more human food than kibble?
Alex – My Picky Eater
- Her appetite in the morning has opened up
- Her mobility and flexibility has increased a great deal. So much so, that now she walks next to me rather than lagging behind
- She used to do #2 up to 3 times a day and it was smelly. Now she does #2 once or twice a day and the smell is minimal.
Bella – My I’ve-never-met-a-meal-I-had-not-liked girl
- She used to do #2 four (4) times a day, and the smell was horrible. Right now she only goes twice a day and it hardly smells
- Her mouth does not smell
This, human food and kibble, may not be for all dogs. I had a friend whose dog became quite ill if he ate any human food, even if it was only a bit of it. If you have questions, please ask a holistic vet and transition your dog slowly to any new food. Before I forget, I also rotate the kind of kibble I feed them every couple of months. If you have any recipes, I am always on the look out for new ones, you’d like to share with us, please do so.
AllMyCanineCompanions 
I have been feeding human food-vegetables and fruits–to my dogs for years and it is true that it really does make a difference. Combined with a good quality kibble and meat, my dogs love mealtime. My shepherd rescue especially has done very well with an improved appetite and definitely more energy-I often bake the meat and throw in green beans (their favorite) or peas and carrots, Sweet potatoes too are very popular. The dogs will eat just about any kind of berry and love apple slices-I love the recipe and am going to try that out for them-thank you for sharing!
I am so glad that your furry kids do so well on human food, veggies, fruits, and kibbles. Alex, my picky girl, since I started cooking human food has not skipped a meal. When I used to feed her only kibble, she usually skipped breakfast. Not a good thing since she is already skinny. Baked meat? That’s a great idea. I am going to try it. Just like your furry kids, Alex and Bella love green beans, carrots and sweet potatoes. Thanks for the idea, and yes try that recipe. My doggies love, love it.
I feed my dog high quality dog food. I think it’s called arcana. I just switched them over. They love it! It’s better on their stomach. I do feed the boiled chicken, potatoes, carrots, and other veggies.
Great. Yes, always go with high quality dog food. Thanks for stopping by.
I love apples, carrots, celery all the vegetables and sometimes I get meat when they are left overs .. momwithoutpaws wants to know why you cook the vegetables. I eat them raw? She is just wondering
I cook the veggies because Alex is a senior, almost 12 years old, and she has a hard time digesting raw veggies. When I stir fry veggies is only for a couple of minutes so I can keep most of the nutrients in them. I have a small dog that just left, boarding, and she eats kibble mix with frozen green beans and carrots. All veggies are raw. Thanks for the question.
That book is on my list to buy! I’ve often thought about giving Storm more human food but she is so picky, she won’t even eat carrots. I may have to try some other veggies though sometime.
Try different veggies and go at it slowly:-) Get the book, it really makes you think and pause about the things we give our dogs, not only food, but even vaccines.
My dog has a stomach problem so can’t eat chicken, beef, pork etc so he’s on special kibble from the vet. In the morning he has a tiny bit mixed into wet (with water not milk) weetabix for the fibre. Without the weetabix his stomach is a mess. And in the evening he has tinned fish mixed in (the fish has to come in tomato sauce rather than oil otherwise it’s too much fat for his stomach) to help with his joint problems- he’s only 5 so his joints aren’t too bad but he’s a collie body on corgie legs and the result is slight joint problems which will get worse with age. I have considered entirely human food for him, but with his sensitive stomach I don’t want to risk it. I’m glad it’s working for your dogs though. It makes meal times much more interesting for them as well as being healthier 🙂
I am sorry about your furry baby’s sensitive tummy. Alex’s vet prescribed a special kibble for her joints, but I did not buy it because the second ingredient, please make sure to read the label, said, chicken-by-product. This kibble was not only expensive, but it had ingredients I would not feed Alex or Bella in it.
You would think if it was expensive, it would have quality ingredients. Max’s special food isn’t something he will be on for life. It’s okay. There are no ingredients, like the chicken by product, that are bad, but I’m not a fan of the meat to carbs to fat ratio. I’m hoping to get him a new food soon that doesn’t upset his tummy. I’m not looking forward to reading every ingredients label in the shop though.
I know. Expensive doesn’t always mean that the product is of good quality. Nowadays I do take the time to read labels because I want to know what my dogs are eating, but that’s just me.
my dogs are vegan I cook for them and also give them vegetarian kibble because I do not want to give them the junk (dead dogs and cats disguised as meat by products) as found in commerical food. And they get the faux sausage mixed in.
That’s great. I do agree with you, a lot of junk goes into the kibble we feed our dogs desguised as meat or chicken by products.
Although I never thought about giving them stir fried, I usually boil their food. I will have to try the stir fry method.
Lol. This is why I love for other pet parents to give me feedback. I get to learn more about dogs:-)