Here’s an inside view of what really goes into the making of pet food. Warning: Not for the faint of heart! (And NOT the way Halo makes its food for cats and dogs!!)

By Dr. Donna Spector
What is really in pet food? The pictures presented on cans and bags of pet food conjure up images of a chef cooking divine meals of wholesome cuts of meat and vegetables for our beloved pets. Although this is a lovely idea, it is rarely the case. When animals are slaughtered for food production, the lean muscle is cut off for human consumption.

The remaining carcass (bones, some organs, beaks, feathers, etc) is what goes into pet food, commonly known as “by-products”, “meat meal”, “bone meal”, or the like.

Read on if you are not faint of heart.

“Leftovers” from the human food industry (restaurant grease, out-of-date supermarket meat, etc) also makes its way into pet food through a process called rendering. Rendering involves placing these carcasses and “leftovers” into huge vats, grinding it up and cooking it at very high temperatures for about an hour to kill off harmful bacteria.

Once cool, the grease is skimmed off the top and this is called “animal fat” that goes into pet food (for example, chicken fat, beef fat, etc). The rest is pressed and dried to make either meat meal or bone meal. Read on for your pet’s sake.

Want to reward Fido for learning to sit and stay? Does Fluffy deserve a little something special just for being so cute today? It’s always nice to keep some natural pet treats on hand for just such occasions, but there are also a few foods right in your kitchen that can be used to brighten your furry friend’s day. In her book, The Whole Pet Diet, Andi Brown recommends the following as foods that can occasionally be used in small amounts as dog or cat treats:

- Cantaloupe balls
- Cottage cheese
- Yogurt mixed with a few blueberries
- Sardines
- Organic cheese on a salt-free cracker

If you’d like to make some treats with a few more ingredients, be sure to check out the recipe for Voyko’s Paw-Lickin’ Liver Treats, along with all the other homemade pet food recipes at HaloPets.com!

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We’ve all had days where the dogs just don’t seem to want to eat. You set that can of food out and receive a look that says, “This again?’ You can’t say you blame them; I mean, really — you know you get tired of the same old, same old too. So, why not check out a homemade dog food recipe to give the pups a new treat that, with a few tweaks, you can share as well? Being a fan of chicken salad, as well as the owner of two finicky dachshunds, I’ve found that this one satisfies the whole family.

For the dog (serving size 1/2 cup):
1 cup deboned organic chicken, cooked and cooled
1 cup mixed salad greens
2 tablespoons red clover sprouts
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 tablespoons plain yogurt
In a small bowl, toss and combine the chicken, salad greens, sprouts and olive oil. Transfer to serving dishes and top with the yogurt before serving.

Once you’ve finished serving the dogs, add these ingredients to make a tasty treat for yourself:
1/2 cup sliced celery
1/2 cup apples, cut in chunks
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
pinch of ground pepper
You may also want to add a bit more yogurt for your serving. Mix all ingredients well, sit back and enjoy your lunch with the pup!

Be sure to check out more dog food recipes at Halo Pets!

“Tis the season for your dog to get into trouble with the local wildlife!

If Rover noses around in the bushes, be prepared that he may turn up smelling like a skunk. Many grooming products will temporarily cover the smell but the faint odor of skunk can linger for weeks. This homemade recipe actually lifts the skunk spray oils out of your dog’s fur and rids them of the smell permanently…or at least until the next time!

Mix the following ingredients in a plastic bucket:

1 quart of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide (open a fresh bottle)

¼ cup of Baking Soda1-2 teaspoons of Liquid Soap (Softsoap and Ivory are recommended)

Note: for large dogs, the recipe can be doubled or you can add one quart of lukewarm water to ensure complete body coverage.

Directions:

1. Apply the solution to the entire coat and work it deeply into the fur.
2. Leave on for at least 5 minutes or until the odor is gone.
3. Rinse your pet thoroughly with lukewarm water.
4. Smell your pet! If he still reeks of skunk, repeat steps 1-3!
5. Pour any remaining solution down the drain with running water.

NEVER store the solution in a closed bottle as pressure can build up and cause the container to explode.

Note: The solution will sting if it gets into your dog’s eyes. If your dog’s face is heavily soiled, use a toothbrush soaked in solution to clean the hair around the eyes.

Do you need vet advice? Post a comment with your veterinary questions and we will send them to Dr. Donna Spector to be answered in a future column.

Cooking is a labor of love, and it’s important to prepare and handle the food for your pet as carefully as you would for any other member of your family (believe me, when they smell it cooking, they may try to sneak a bowl behind your back!) Begin with clean utensils and a clean, organized work area. Wash your hands before and during food preparation. Ideally, you’d begin slow cooking simmering your stew with organically grown vegetables from your garden as soon as you arrive home with your selection from the butcher. Okay, But in the real world, you might have to buy your vegetables at the store, too. the health food store or grocery and chop them ahead of time.

It’s just as important to ensure food safety for your pet as it is for your family, so keep the meat and veggies in the refrigerator until you’re ready to add them it to the pot. Refrigeration assures bacteria, which multiply rapidly at room temperature, won’t get a head start during the first hour of slow cooking. Always defrost meat or poultry completely in the refrigerator before using it.

Why Low – Slow Cooking?

True for humans and pets: Studies have shown that the more that something is cooked, the less nutritional value it has. The higher the temperature food is cooked at, the greater the breakdown of enzymes, which makes food less digestible or less useful to the system. This makes it harder for the body to absorb the nutrients and for them to function at a cellular level (where they need to work).  When the nutrients cannot function in the cells, the cells can become deficient or toxic, which can lead to deficiency or toxicity of the entire body. Our low-temperature, slow-cooking stew provides the healthiest combined bang for your buck.

For a few great recipes that you can make yourself at home for your dog or cat, visit www.halopets.com.