Healthy and Inexpensive Homemade Dog Food

After reading many articles on homemade dog food, I have formulated my own healthy & inexpensive homemade dog food recipes.  My 2 rescued Shih Tzu dogs are living proof that they've grown into healthy adult dogs.  The younger one (gray color) was adopted when he was 2 months old and has been on this homemade dog food diet since 2007.  However, the older one who was adopted when he was 6 months old which made a difference in their current size.  The younger one is bigger in size than the older one because he got nutritious food at an early age.
At 2 Months:

Current:

Older One - Puppy - at 6 Months:

Older One - Current:

Dogs have nutritional needs just like humans.  I came across this interesting article, "Your Dog's Nutritional Needs, A Science-Based Guide for Pet Owners" by National Research Council of the National Academies: http://dels-old.nas.edu/banr/briefs/dog_nutrition_final.pdf 

In general, this article states, dogs need Proteins, Amino Acids, Fats and Fatty Acids, Vitamins, Minerals and Water.

Then I researched for foods that dogs are not allowed to eat and found on Doctors Fosters and Smith Pet Education site: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2&aid=1030 

I formulated a list of foods that was nutritious and tasty by trial and error:

Fruits:

1. Bananas = Has sweet taste and soft texture which they love eating as a snack.  Must be cut into tiny pieces for them to chew and swallow easily.
2. Pears = Has sweet taste and crunchy texture which they love eating as a snack.  Must be cut into tiny pieces for them to chew and swallow easily.
3. Watermelon = Has sweet taste and crunchy texture which they love eating as a snack.  Must be cut into tiny pieces for them to chew and swallow easily.
4. Blueberry = Has sweet/tart taste and soft texture which they are okay with eating as a snack as long as it is peeled.  Must be peeled and cut into tiny pieces for them to chew and swallow easily.
5. Apples = Has sweet taste and crunchy texture which they love eating as a snack.  Must be cut into tiny pieces for them to chew and swallow easily.

Vegetables (Must be boiled/steamed):

1. Carrots = Has sweet taste and soft texture which they love to eat.  Must be peeled and cut into tiny pieces for them to chew and swallow easily. 
2. Potatoes = Has starchy taste and soft texture which they love to eat.  Must be peeled and cut into tiny pieces for them to chew and swallow easily.
3. Broccoli/Cabbage/Cauliflower = Doesn't have much of a taste which is the reason, they didn't like eating it in their meal.
4. Yams = Has sweet taste and soft texture which they love to eat.  Must be peeled and cut into tiny pieces for them to chew and swallow easily. But the color of cooked yams changed too quickly therefore, it looked gross.
5. Butternut Squash = Has sweet taste and soft texture which I have not given them this vegetable yet.
6. Cucumbers = Has watery juice taste and soft texture which they love to eat.  Must be peeled, de-seeded and cut into tiny pieces for them to chew and swallow easily.
7. Corn = Has sweet taste and soft texture which they love to eat.

Meat (Must be boiled/steamed):

1. Chicken Breast = Has sweet taste and soft texture which they love to eat.  Must be cut into tiny pieces for them to chew and swallow easily.
2. Boiled Eggs = Has sweet taste and soft texture which they love to eat.  Must be peeled and cut into tiny pieces for them to chew and swallow easily.
3. Fried Eggs = Has sweet taste and soft texture which they love to eat.  Should be fried with Canola/Olive Oil and cut into tiny pieces for them to chew and swallow easily.  I only feed this dish as a treat once in a while because the fried oil is fattening.

Their Daily Meal (Boiled Chicken Breast & Potatoes in a Ikea Bowl & Step Stool):

1. Boiled Chicken Breast: I usually buy fresh chicken breast from Jons International Marketplace.  Then chop it into sizable pieces and store in small freezer bags for their daily meals.
2. Potatoes:  I usually buy potatoes from Jons International Marketplace when it is on sale.  Then store in brown paper bags and keep it in refrigerator.
3. Ikea Bowl: tan shallow dish bowl (can't find Ikea online link).  It is still available at Ikea in their Cooking section.
4. Ikea Stool:  http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60101063  I have their kibble dispensers and water bowl sitting on these stools so their neck is not strained when eating food or drinking water.

Snacks (Store Bought):

1. Pup-Peroni Lean Beef Flavor Dog Treats: is their favorite daily treat.  Link for Pup-Peroni Coupon: http://www.pupperoni.com/Coupons.aspx  Amazon sells this product in bulk.
   
2. Dentastix: is their favorite weekly treat since it cleans their teeth.   Link for Dentastix Coupon: http://www.pedigree.com/oralcare/save-now.aspx  Amazon sells this product in bulk.
3. Milkbone Flavor Snacks Dog Biscuit: is their favorite daily treat since it cleans their teeth. http://www.milkbone.com/products/flavorsnacksdogbiscuits
4. Chicken Drumstix Special Recipe Dog Snacks: is their favorite daily treat. http://www.milkbone.com/products/chickendrumstixspecialrecipedogsnacks 
5. Filet Mignon Flavor Chewy Treats: is their favorite daily treat. http://www.milkbone.com/products/filetmignonflavorchewytreats  

They also free feed on the following Science Diet for snacks when they're hungry throughout the day, usually it is after their morning and night walk:

1. Science Diet Adult Small & Toy Breed Light: http://www.hillspet.com/products/sd-canine-adult-small-and-toy-breed-light-dry.html  $5 Off Coupon Link: http://www.feedingisbelieving.com/believe/3-Bag-Challenge-Form.html
2. Science Diet Adult Small & Toy Breed: http://www.hillspet.com/products/sd-canine-adult-small-and-toy-breed-dry.html 
3. Science Diet Mature Adult Small & Toy Breed: http://www.hillspet.com/products/sd-canine-mature-adult-small-and-toy-breed-canine-dry.html   

My boys are well disciplined about their food and don't overeat their kibble food.  They know their main meal is the homemade dog food (boiled potatoes & chicken breast/eggs).  Their free food dry kibble is snacks for them when they get hungry after their walks. 

Aside from their healthy diet, exercise is also a key ingredient in a healthy dog's life.  If my boys didn't get their daily walks, I truly think they both would be overweight dogs.  As a responsible dog owner, I want my boys to be healthy and live a long life without illnesses.  We want to avoid paying hefty vet bills (each visit is around $52/dog).

So for anyone who doesn't own a dog yet or is thinking about getting a dog, please do your research on the responsibilities of owning a dog.  Dogs have feelings just like humans and don't deserve to be mistreated.  If you do not have the time or financials then do not get a dog or pet.