Tag: Dog Food Recipe

Whether it’s your first time camping with the dogs, or you have a few trips under your belt, the age old question always comes up, “what do we need for the dog?”

Aside from the necessities like food and water, the rest depends on you. Right, very helpful, you must be thinking.

But, hear me out. I’m sure you’ve researched and have become extremely overwhelmed about the extensive packing lists of so called must-haves for camping with canines.

And truth be told, it all comes down to the type of environment you’re going, and your dogs’ normal behavior. You don’t need everything under the sky, and after 8 years of camping with a dog almost every weekend, we’ve been able to put our packing list to the test. And if you’ve met Roper, you know he’s put it to the test.

So, we’ve already determined food and water are always on the list. If you’re wondering how much to pack of each, consider the level activities that your dog partakes in. However, a good rule of thumb is pack an extra cup per day. If the camping is nothing but hiking or running for the dog, bump it up to two cups extra. OR, you can get great protein packs that top kibble (we make our own, learn how here). Water, if you’re camping somewhere with no access to fresh water plan for a gallon of water a day.

The rest of the essentials (to us) by category:

First-aid: Tweezers, vet wrap, vet approved anti-inflammatory pills (they make over the counter stuff, however talk to your vet if you’re planning a long back country trip. Odds are they might make you your own little first aid kit in the office), probiotics, Benadryl, thermometer.

Camp: sleeping materials, tall bowls, toy (if nature & sticks don’t do it for your dog). If your dog normally gets a lot of treats at home, be sure to pack some, or else expect them to find their own.

Optional: A collar light. These things are extremely helpful for the darkness that comes with camping outside of light pollution. If you have an extra headlamp, turn the green or red light on and place that on your dog instead.

Activity: leads, mushers secret, collapsible bowl or dog bottle, and booties if in rough terrain.

Bonus items that are packed by environment:

Cold Weather/Snow: thermals and dog sleeping bag for severe winter, tarp for a dry place to lay outside

Desert: A second pair of tweezers, wet dog food, pumpkin purée, or coconut oil.

Wetlands: towel, peppermint oil for mosquitos,

As always, you know your dog best. And if there are no accidents, they only need what they have at home. Food, water, and a soft warm place to sleep. I also encourage to talk about camping, hunting, farm work, in your vet appointments. It’s helpful for your vet to know about outdoor activities, that way they can treat your dog with the correct dewormers and tick medication. So, put away your fears, and the expansive packing list, and go enjoy the great outdoors with your four-legged best friends!

The Copper Dogs hope you enjoy all of your future adventures! Here’s a glimpse into some of our camping moments – peep the cacti on Roper, he’s now much more careful in the desert.
Humans are not the only creatures in the animal kingdom that can be picky eaters, as all dog owners know, dogs are some of the pickiest. And whether it is because you need something to coax your dog to eat with, or because your dog needs the extra protein, sometimes turning to “canned” or “wet” dog food feels like the only option.

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However, if you are like our household, we’re skeptical about what is actually in that chunky gravy with questionable rice and veggies. Side note – when I was 6, my older sister made me eat wet dog food when I told her I was hungry while under her supervision. I’m still living 24 years later, so maybe the ingredients aren’t that bad, but after knowing what it tastes like, no way could I smell that on my dog’s breath for the rest of their lives. So, we set off to create our own wet kibble topper with ingredients we trusted and cooks we knew (us).

Before setting out to make your own food, be sure to do some research on your dog’s breed, the quantity they should be eating, and if this will be their main food source or a supplemental source. We knew that it was not sustainable to feed two 55+ dogs homemade food everyday, when they both would need 1 pound of protein, 3.5 cups of carbohydrates, and a cup of vegetables every. day. Which is why we opted to go for the supplemental route. I will add though, during hunting season when the activity is a lot higher, I will make bigger serving sizes.

When it comes to actually making the food, it is really easy! And since it’s literal dog food, you don’t have to worry about seasonings or the presentation of the food. The first step is to determine your source of protein and its form. This can be ground or cubed meat. I opt for ground because it’s quicker and it feels like it goes farther. I also own a meat processing machine, so grinding my own meat isn’t a hard feat. Rhyme not intended.

Choose a protein that is appropriate for your dog (always remember you can ask your vet, they would be more than happy to give recommendations), and that it is sustainable. You can also choose two separate proteins, just be sure that you don’t mix it up too often. Our choice of protein is venison and game birds. The majority of the time it’s ground venison that is used as the supplemental protein choice. When it comes to how you cook your meat, again it’s your preference, but I go with the boiling method, only so I can get that gravy like texture that’s just all added flavor and you don’t lose the protein from the meat’s fat rendering down.

The next choice is if you are going to include a carbohydrate. I usually forego during winter when activity levels are lowered, since he is still getting his daily amount of kibble a day. When I do include a carb, I go with brown rice. I make the rice either by normal ricing cooking methods, or I will make it in my instant pot for big batches. When I make it in the instant pot, I will include the veggie (usually carrots) in that mixture. The rice will come out smelling like sweet carrots, and might actually make you want to take a bite. However, stop top work just well, too!

Which brings us to the vegetable. This is completely optional, but does add a nice flavor and nutritional benefit to your dog’s food. There are tons of different veggies to choose from, like pumpkin, peas, and carrots. Here’s a list of veggies & fruits dogs can have. In our household, Roper prefers carrots and pumpkin puree. So I usually go back and forth between the two. But remember, don’t switch it up too frequently. Like I explained above, one way I cook the carrots is with the rice in the instant pot. When I cook if stovetop, I go for a good ol’ classic steam. Once they are soft or semi-soft, I transfer them to the rice and give a good mix.

Once everything is cooked, I separate it all into daily servings, unless it’s protein only, into mason jars. Mason jars have been the only thing I found that doesn’t allow the rice to dry out. After that, you’re done! Besides the dishes unfortunately. The process is really simple and becomes part of the routine. I will add that I cook seven days amount at a time, only to cut back on the actual process. To make the food stay fresh that long, I’ll freeze three jars and pull them out in the morning the day of.

If you only want the meat gravy as a topping, follow the below recipe for just the meat steps, and then store it in one airtight container (aside from the three days, still freeze that!). Then, each day take out a half a cup of the meat gravy and mix into your dogs kibble.

The Copper Dogs Kibble Topper – Wet Dog Food Recipe (Download Available Below):

copperdogs.wet-dog-food-recipe-card Download Recipe Card Now

Roper proud of all his hard work in the kitchen.