Congratulations to these Brittanys who joined their forever families over the last month!

Asher, IL Bruno, WV Cinch, IL Curly, IA Freckles, GA Grace, NJ Hunter, IL Jojo, IA Kobe, DE Louie, CA

Lily, NJ Max, PA Minnie, IL Missy, ID Nash, GA Parker, CA Penny Lane, OR Sebastian, IA Sky, GA

To keep these animals healthy, keep their needs in mind when making your emergency preparations. Due to the cost of pet food, storing dry food is preferred over storing the wet food. When storing dry goods for dogs and cats, look for dry food that does not have a lot of oils in them; as the oils can make the food go rancid more quickly.

Stockpiled pet food will only last for so long.  What's a pet owner to do when the kibble supply runs dry?

Making your own pet food is a more financially reasonable option for some. The cost is actually comparable to the price of kibble, and the nutrition content of homemade pet food is far higher.

Creating pet food is not so much about having the recipe to do so - it's about knowing the proper ratios for optimum nutrition for your pet. The following information is geared towards healthy adult pets without special dietary needs.

Doggie Dinner Delights

The canine digestive system is a little less delicate than other furry friends and the ratio is simple:

1 part meat

1 part grain

1 part veggies

Broccoli, spinach, celery, carrots, peas, and green beans are favorite veggies among canines. Keep in mind that some vegetables are more difficult to digest than others. Dogs may have a harder time digesting broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts. Avocados, tomatoes, and wild mushrooms should be avoided as they are potentially harmful.

I cook my dog food all together on the stove top (we refer to it as "dog stew". I make a broth from leftover chicken carcasses, etc, and use it for the base. I use grains from my stockpile, like rice and oats, and generally use canned vegetables. Peas and carrots are a special favorite of the pooches in our house.

I include the skin when cooking the meat for the dogs as well. As with cats, the addition of some bone meal is very important. Since bones are something that would generally be thrown out, I appreciate finding a use for them in the name of less waste. Don't forget the addition of a healthy fat, like whole eggs or olive oil!

It's All About the Ratios

Now that you know the basic ratios for good nutrition for your pets, you can use foods that you have in your stockpile/freezer to feed your pets. You may find that your grocery bills drop as you find ways to use less expensive cuts of meat and last day of sale items to feed your pets!

When making your homemade pet food, it's an excellent time to add supplements like vitamin drops, brewer's yeast and garlic to keep your pets healthy and parasite-free.

Once you've started feeding your pets these homemade nutritious foods, you will notice a lovely glowing coat and far more energy. The nutrition level and lack of preservatives will benefit their health while benefitting your wallet!"