Switching to Home Cooked

[kayboxer]

Well, I've been doing raw for 2 1/2 days now. It is going okay, but I'm not feeling real good about it. I've been doing a lot of reading and thinking about what is best for me and I've decided to try the homecooking. I was thinking about that first before the raw diet, and I think I'd be more comfortable with that. I feel I get a better grasp of that and I do like the cooking better, I'm more comfortable with that (germ wise). I know, sounds crazy but I'm having a hard time dealing with raw. I'm going to make some stew today for them and see how it goes. I do have one question. Do you feed about the same amount of stew as kibble? I was feeding one cup kibble (Timberwolf) twice a day for Roxie. Would it be about the same amount in stew? I plan on pressure cooking the chicken for two hours as suggested by others so I can mash up the bone and adding sweetpotatoes, spinach and green beans to start with, with maybe a touch of whole grain pasta, no rice. I know, they don't need carbs, but I feel better adding just a touch of carbs, but not many. Any advice is welcome. I'm running to the store for sweet potatoes, as I ate them all!

 

[simmons]

When I fed "only" homecook...they each had 2 cups twice a day.
Now I feed 1 cup-homecook and 1 cup-Solid Gold kibble twice a day

I prepare the homecook once every week and add in pressure Cooker:
10 lbs chicken (leg quaters are cheapest)
2 lbs hearts & gizzards
1 lb liver

My pressure cooker isn't big enough so I split the meals in half. Cook two meals at an hour each. I need to buy a bigger cooker soon

Every now and then I throw in some beef, pork or turkey with the chicken. Just to give it a different flavor. I used to cook veggies and add them, but it got to be too much work.

They also get an egg once a week.

Hope this helps...good luck!!!

 

[kayboxer]

When I fed "only" homecook...they each had 2 cups twice a day.
Now I feed 1 cup-homecook and 1 cup-Solid Gold kibble twice a day

I prepare the homecook once every week and add in pressure Cooker:
10 lbs chicken (leg quaters are cheapest)
2 lbs hearts & gizzards
1 lb liver

So, you mix the homecooked with the kibble? I just ordered two bags of food, so I'm considering mixing, not sure yet. I may just donate them to the Humane Society, haven't decided yet. Actually, I'm going to go look for a bigger pressure cooker myself today! Mine isn't big enough either and I've been wanting a bigger one anyway, so this is a good excuse. I think homecooking will probably be cheaper than raw, since you add veggies and what have you. I'll give it a shot, and I really appreciate the recipe!

 

[simmons]

I forgot...when I was feeding only homecook, I added in 1 cup brown rice anda box of whole wheat pasta. Just so it lasted longer.

Yeah, I just mix the kibble and homecook together. I fill up tupperware containers of the homecook (refridgerate) and when feeding comes, just measure out 1 cup....put in microwave safe bolw and pour a little bit of water in and heat for 30 seconds. Just to get it warm and it's easier to mix too!!

It wouldn't hurt to donate kibble to the humane society....I know they can use it. When I switched out my kibble, I donated mine to the SPCA.

I used fresh and frozen veggies

 

[kayboxer]

I forgot...when I was feeding only homecook, I added in 1 cup brown rice anda box of whole wheat pasta. Just so it lasted longer.

Roxy is grain intolerant, I feed her grainless kibble. I'm now pressure cooking my chicken! Got a new 22 qt. pressure cooker. Not the brand I wanted, but it will work. Can I ask, why did you go to half kibble/half homecooked instead of all homecooked?

 

[simmons]

Roxy is grain intolerant, I feed her grainless kibble. I'm now pressure cooking my chicken! Got a new 22 qt. pressure cooker. Not the brand I wanted, but it will work. Can I ask, why did you go to half kibble/half homecooked instead of all homecooked?

Honestly, it was a little bit more work.....cooking the rice and pasta. Then cooking all the veggies and either blending or squashing them. Crunched up egg shells in the food processor. Then I added in all the ingredients with the meat in about 5 or 6 containers.

Now all I do is pressure cook the meat, much more simpler for me
I really need to buy a 22qt. pressure cooker, I think mine is only 8 or 10qts :(

 

[kayboxer]

Then cooking all the veggies and either blending or squashing them. Crunched up egg shells in the food processor. Then I added in all the ingredients with the meat in about 5 or 6 containers.

Well, what I'm thinking about doing is after the chicken is done, cutting up the veggies and blending them, without cooking, and then mix them in with the chicken. Can I do that? Can you use raw veggies?

 

[bayleighmom]

Well, what I'm thinking about doing is after the chicken is done, cutting up the veggies and blending them, without cooking, and then mix them in with the chicken. Can I do that? Can you use raw veggies?

I have a 22 quart pressure cooker and cook the veggies in with the chicken. I cut 8-10 potatoes into big chunks, slice a half bag of carrots, half a bunch of celery and add the the pot. I also add a bag of frozen green beans and a bag of frozen chopped spinach. Then I add about 2 quarts of water and cook at 15 pounds for 2 hours. I mash everything up in the cooker, bring back to a boil and add a box of macaroni. I take a day every month and make 2 batches and freeze. I usually use fresh or frozen veggies but have used canned in a pinch. If you use canned, try to buy salt free if possible.

I tried raw veggies ran through the food processor but they picked them out! You could always run all the raw veggies through the blender or food processor and add to your cooker to cook along with the chicken.

I watch the fresh produce section for mark down veggies. Sometimes I can find bags of fresh spinach for 29 cents a bag! I then buy all they have and chop and freeze for later use! I also save leftover veggies from our meals and freeze to put in my stew.

When I started homecooking, I did one meal of stew and one meal of kibble. They pretty much refused the kibble! I am amazed at the difference of going kibble free. Yeah, at times it can be a lot of work. But I love to cook!