We've discovered that Chevy is an avid grass eater. His first week of being with us, he threw up a huge wad of grass one morning. So, I gave him some chicken and rice for his tummy and that started us down the road of home cooked meals. It is something I have wanted to do with the 24 Paws, but just couldn't with 6 dogs. Not to mention being scared to do it, with my lack of nutritional education. I always preferred to let the dog food companies do the work for me, but as it was Chevy wasn't taking so well to his kibble as it was. He ate it, but wasn't too thrill about eating it. I know he was new here and he had been though so many changes that made him nervous that I didn't want food to be one of them. So I bought some recipe books and we took the plunge into home cooked dog food.
The first thing I noticed, like immediately, was his grass consumption went down considerably. I'd like to say he stopped altogether, but I think Chevy's grass eating is a habit he won't quit. So cutting down was huge! Sometimes after he eats, he bypasses it all together. So that was a definite plus of fixing his food.
The second thing I noticed was the horrible gas he had dissipated. I mean it was awful and went down to almost no smell. That was awesome!
After that I noticed the Chevy didn't have that "doggy smell." He had a bath a couple weeks after we got him and I thought it was going to be a regular thing, but honestly, he doesn't need one except to maybe rinse the dirt off of him. Another bonus!
And the most recent thing I've notice after feeding him cooked food for the last 9 weeks, is that his fur is silky smooth and so healthy. I am loving it!
I still feed Chevy kibble sometimes, but it is an add-in and not the main meal. I cook almost everything in my Instant Pot pressure cooker. I am learning as I go and I am enjoy making his food. I know exactly what he is eating and how much. There is something really comforting in knowing that.
I know there are all kinds of controversies on what to feed our dogs, all I know is that homecooked is working for Chevy and me.