Dog Kibble Recipes

Kibble, like dog biscuits, is an outgrowth of the "dog cakes" of the nineteenth century, essentially a version of the hardtack that sustained early seagoing travelers, human and canine alike. While there are many dry commercial foods on the market, most depend primarily upon a combination of wheat, corn, or rice; meat or poultry by-product or "meal"; and lesser quantities of dairy products, fat, preservatives, and supplements.

Protein content changes considerably in these products, from 20 to 30 percent, depending upon the brand and the needs that your dogs might have. The protein available to your dog, however, depends upon the quality of ingredients and the relative digestibility of the protein in the food. For example, wheat gluten protein is only half as digestible as milk or beef.

While most reputable brands supplement their foods with vitamins and minerals, it is important to realize that many nutrients are lost during processing and storage. For this reason, it's not advisable to buy dog food in large amounts, even though it might be more economical or convenient to do so. One dog food retailer commented that he believes the food is already several months old by the time it reaches his shelves, and for this reason he encourages all of his customers to supplement their pets' diets with high-quality vitamins and minerals.

It is clear then, to insure freshness, it's best to buy kibble in small amounts or to prepare your own, which you should feed to your dog as soon as practical, tightly sealing and refrigerating or freezing the portions which are not used. Ingredients such as bone meal, brewer's yeast, and rye flour are readily available at health food stores.