Feed Your Best Friend Better: Easy, Nutritious Meals and Treats for Dogs

by Rick Woodford

If you wouldn't eat processed food, why feed it to your dog? The Dog Food Dude's essential nutrition book for dogs is the only one you'll need, with guidelines, charts, tips, and more than 85 easy recipes for healthy dishes to help your best friend live a long and happy life.From Rick Woodford, the "Dog Food Dude" himself, comes Feed Your Best Friend Better, with easy recipes that will make even humans drool a little bit. Natural food can enable dogs to live longer, healthier lives, just as it can for humans, and with these meals, treats, and cookies, dogs will never miss commercial kibble.

Rick has researched nutrition for dogs and has used the same manuals veterinarians use to develop his recipes. Feed Your Best Friend Better makes the transition to homemade dog food simple, so you can make natural food for your dog every day. From nutritional value to portion sizes, these recipes will help owners know what their dog is eating. The meals are healthy, and dogs love them.

Rick Woodford wants dogs in every family to be healthy and happy. His recipes use a variety of herbs and spices for their antioxidant properties but they smell so good everybody in the house will be drooling. Recipes include:

* Puppy Pesto

* Bacon Yappetizers

* Barkscotti

* Mutt Loaf

* Gingerbread Mailman

In addition to 85 recipes other helpful chapters include:

* How to Pick out a Commercial Food; making the ingredient label easy to understand with a breakdown of ingredients that are good for the bowl and those that are best left on the shelf.

* Determining Portion Size; information on body type and size help readers understand how much food their dogs need to be in the best shape

* Problem Mealtime Behaviors; how to deal with the early morning wake up call, reluctant eaters, counter surfing and more

Genres: Dogs, Nonfiction, Cookbooks, Cooking, Reference, Animals

204 pages, Paperback

First published April 10, 2012

Reviews

[Yodamom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a dog lover, they are my family. I have two loving sweet boys that I want the best for. I believe that food is one of the most important choices we make, everyday. When I shop I read labels, it is shocking what I see in some cans labeled 'healthy' by products are usually the first ingredient. I have often thought of making them food myself but did not have the confidence to do it, till now

This all started when-My older dog started to get itchy skin, ear infections and was just not looking himself. I took him to my vet, they prescribed medicines, for the itch, drops for the ears $$$. He was sleepy, lifeless and sad, but he did not itch. Yes, they worked, till he was off them and everything came back. I started to look at his food, wheat, corn, soybean products... I tried cutting out the different ingredients one at a time. I found that on a wheat free diet his symptoms diminished almost completely. It was all about the food, and I had been feeding him poor choices for years.

This book is the answer I have been searching for. It covers what ingredients to avoid and what to feed them. There is nutritional information, explaining their daily needs and how to deliver the right balance in their food. Detailed nutritional facts, with easy examples. Their are pages on special diets for health problems. diabetes, liver diseases, and other ailing issues.

The recipes are easy and fun. I love the 'Foods to Share' chapter. Who doesn't like to share with your loved ones ? My dogs went crazy for the Sweet Potato fries. I am going to try the Dutch baby Pancake next. Really is this for the dogs too? My boys are sure loving the idea. The Lazyagne was made and devoured with out haste. there are cookies, jerkies, stews, loafs.... so many to try.

The book is beautiful filled with heart warming photos of humans and their dogs. I layout is easy to use and search for just the right information. If you have a dog, or are gong to get one this book is a must have.

[Linda Morelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a marvelous cookbook and healthy reference guide for dog owners. Covers nutrition, health issues and lots more, while providing wonderful and easy recipes to for owners to save money making various meal items, based upon your individual dog's (or dogs') needs.

I have two dogs, one of which has a nervous stomach, which acts up far more times than I'd like, but after trying several recipes from Rick Woodford's book, my dog is doing much better. All of the foods are nutritionally balanced and though designed for consumption by dogs, is healthy enough that even humans can eat it.

In short, this is a wonderful reference book and a must for every dog owner!

[Aadel Bussinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything is very well presented in the book. Nutritional information gives you a starting point. Every recipe has portion sizes for different sized dogs. There are even suggestions for the difference in activity levels within a breed.

Along with the scientific information, the book is filled with gorgeous pictures. The author even provides a personal testimony as to the power of fresh, wholesome food for dogs.

The recipes are mostly doable. Some of them are just not feasible for our budget, but there are plenty of alternatives given.

Read my full review here:

http://naturalfamilytoday.com/uncateg...

[Elianastar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource

Was looking for something to supplement our Pomeranian's kibble. He's a rescue with no teeth so want to make his meals as tasty, nutritious & easier to eat as possible.

Loved the research, balance & compassion of the author. No authoritarian or "food Nazi" attitude... just good information about why he created the recipes he did and lots of info to help you modify them - or create your own - from his research & experience. I learned a LOT reading through the early part of the book and then each of the recipe chapters.

Have picked out several recipes we'll make as soon as we've gathered all the ingredients for the two *key* recipes that ensure optimum nutritional balance for everything else. Nothing fancy for the first one, just a few things we don't keep on hand all the time like nutritional yeast and lecithin. Will have to save up egg shells for the second one. In the meantime, there are lots of ideas that we can easily add to his kibble to make it more interesting & satisfying for him.

Several recipes are easily adaptable for *our* meals if we pull out a portion for the dog before adding "people seasoning"... and there are at least 3-4 we will make for us!

I've been thinking for a couple years now, "what did people feed their dogs before there was commercial dog food" and "why is it we seriously limit *our* processed food but only feed dogs commercial pre-packaged food?"

When we found our little guy seemed to be losing interest in his meals but eagerly gobbled little bits of chicken or beef when offered, it made me curious about maybe preparing home cooked "additions" to make his kibble more enjoyable. Best of both worlds; I can rest assure he's getting the nutrients he requires from his kibble while sparking his interest and enjoyment with more healthy natural ingredients.

Honestly, after reading through the book, I suspect we may pass on the kibble entirely at some point. He's just a little guy and doesn't require all that much food anyway. The nutritional info in the book is so inclusive I have worked past my reservations about home prepared dog food - already! Last night we had sweet potatoes & eggs & I added some unseasoned to his dinner kibble & he gobbled it down like we hadn't fed him all day!

I looked at quite a few options available in Kindle format and am *so* glad I chose this one. It is unlikely I'll be looking any farther. Also downloaded another inexpensive book on the same subject I haven't gotten to yet, but will be using this one as the foundation for kibble supplementation. There is more variety than any of us will want or likely need & I just don't see much point in looking any farther. Highly suggest a closer look before going on to any others...

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to learn more about dog nutrition. Recently, a study indicated that the high quality, high priced dog food I was feeding my pups had high level of toxins. I chose the dog food because the company had never had a recall, it was a company with decades of experience, it was high in nutrients, and because other pet parents suggested it. The high toxin level had to do with the specific kind at the company. Other flavors had significantly less toxins. The study did have faults. It did not tell what specific toxins at what amounts. However, I didn’t feel I had a choice, but to switch the dog food kind immediately. Choosing a new dog food is not easy these days. I am at the stage that if there are any problems with the dog food I am feeding them now (after the switch), I am going to feed homemade food. Of course, I want to feed them food that is nutritious and meets all their requirements. This book does a great job of indicating what nutrients dogs require including the nutritional differences of puppies. It also has a section to help you pick dry dog food. The recipes in the book do not have the nutritional breakdown of the food. The book indicates for that information you have to go to the author’s website. I understand that this may be to drive traffic to the site, but it is a big drawback. I like to have all the information in one place. I do hope to use what I have learned to help supplement my dogs’ food with some real people food to address some skin issues my dogs have. This book did make me feel more confident and comfortable about feeding my dogs homemade dog food. All recipes including cooking the meat.

[Chrystal Mahan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rick Woodford, affectionately known as the “Dog Food Dude,” offers a heartfelt and helpful guide to homemade dog nutrition in Feed Your Best Friend Better. With over 85 easy-to-follow recipes and practical tips on canine health, the book aims to help pet parents ditch processed kibble in favor of real, whole food options. From “Puppy Pesto” to “Mutt Loaf,” the meals sound almost good enough for humans to try.

The book excels in providing clear, accessible information on portion sizes, ingredient benefits, and how to tackle picky eating or behavioral quirks at mealtime. Woodford’s veterinary-informed research makes his recipes feel trustworthy, and the passion for pet wellness shines through.

However, the book could benefit from more visual aids (photos or charts), and some readers may find the ingredient prep time or dietary tracking a bit more than they bargained for. It’s a great resource for committed dog parents, but not quite ideal for casual cooks or those short on time.

[Diana Theobald · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a cookbook for dogs! Very comprehensive information on how to feed your dog real food. It's a lot of effort though, lots of ingredients I'm not used to, such as salmon oil, Brazil nuts, and dried seaweed? I got some great inspiration for how to supplement my dog's regular kibble with special treats though, so for that, it was worth the buy.

[Mandy Lake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great recipes and helpful information about portion sizes based on dog sizes, supplementing kibble with fresh food, and nutrition basics. I marked this as “finished” but I know I’ll be reading it for years to come!

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading Feed your Best Friend Better, I realized I didn't need any of the recipes. Simply understanding what a dog needs nutritionally was enough for me to improve my canine companion's diet. For that, I recommend "Feed your Best Friend Better."

[Basicsadie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a treasure chest and a wealth of information on how to Feed Your Best Fried Better". The title certainly lives up to its contents. The only down side to the book is it ended all too soon!

[Richard Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Book

Great Resource! The recipes seem easy to make. My black lab has allergies so I want to try some of these ideas.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read and plenty of ideas.

[Manybooks2read · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of good information.

[Olivia Friederich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book in 2 hours! Amazing homemade recipes and great information. Highly recommend if you are thinking of transferring off of kibble or supplementing for better food.

[Amanda Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't wait to try these recipes for my pups. He includes lots of great details and information on not just what to feed them but why and how to modify based on unique needs and preferences.

[Julie McComas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feed Your Best Friend Better by Rick Woodford

Review posted April 19, 2012 on Another Chance Ranch, and on GoodReads April 18, 2012.

Book Review:

From Rick Woodford, the "Dog Food Dude" himself, comes Feed Your Best Friend Better, with easy recipes that will make even humans drool a little bit. Natural food can enable dogs to live longer, healthier lives, just as it can for humans, and with these meals, treats, and cookies, dogs will never miss commercial kibble.

Rick has researched nutrition for dogs and has used the same manuals veterinarians use to develop his recipes. Feed Your Best Friend Better makes the transition to homemade dog food simple, so you can make natural food for your dog every day. From nutritional value to portion sizes, these recipes will help owners know what their dog is eating. The meals are healthy, and dogs love them.

Rick Woodford wants dogs in every family to be healthy and happy. His recipes use a variety of herbs and spices for their antioxidant properties but they smell so good everybody in the house will be drooling. Recipes include:

Puppy Pesto
Bacon Yappetizers
Barkscotti
Mutt Loaf
Gingerbread Mailman

In addition to 85 recipes other helpful chapters include:

How to Pick out a Commercial Food; making the ingredient label easy to understand with a breakdown of ingredients that are good for the bowl and those that are best left on the shelf.
Determining Portion Size; information on body type and size help readers understand how much food their dogs need to be in the best shape
Problem Mealtime Behaviors; how to deal with the early morning wake up call, reluctant eaters, counter surfing and more.

Review:

I absolutely loved being able to review this book.

Rick Woodford pretty much sums up what you should and should not feed your dogs. Our dogs are considered part of the family, and are pretty much our four-legged kids. We want the best for them, and learning all of these great things makes me feel better about what we feed them, how much, and much, much more.

There are lots of recipes, and I have to be completely honest with you, I haven't made a single one. I plan to, and when I do I will add to this review. One thing that I have noticed that the ingredients are a little pricey, so I won't be making many of them.

You may or may not be interested in making any of the recipes, but this book is invaluable. It is a wealth of information that I've not found before all in one book.
If you love your dog, you need this book!

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a bit of background. We had a golden/aussie mix that we took to the vet when she was about 12 years old and found she had pancreatitis. We thought she was surely going to die, but our vet kept her for nearly 2 weeks and nursed her back to health. When she came home, we were told by her vet that the food we'd been giving her was probably the culprit. We talked with friends at a vet school and began feeding her real food on their suggestion and she regained her health and became as puppylike as a 12 year old dog could be. She lived another 4 years and we were both so grateful for every day of it.

So when we adopted a puppy after she passed away, I should have immediately started him on real food, too. But I was worried about feeding the right amounts of nutrients to a 10 week old puppy to keep him healthy, so we started feeding him puppy food at first. TMI: He constantly had diarrhea that smelled rancid and horrible and looked like nuclear waste - I took him to the vet, they said he was fine and asked, what are you feeding him? They suggested a special brand that they carried and cost a small fortune. We bought it and he got a bit better, but not much and after a bit, he just wouldn't eat it at all. So, we started feeding him what we had given our dog before and he immediately improved. He would come running at meal times and lick his bowl clean. But because I was still worried about feeding him the right amounts, I found this book.

I can't even tell you how much this has helped. It's easy, it doesn't cost as much to feed him (he's 3 1/2 now) and the second dog we have now as it would to feed them the expensive "high quality" stuff from the vet, and they are super healthy and happy (and TMI again: their poop still stinks, but just looks and smells like poop now and not nuclear waste). I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to put in the little extra effort to feed your best friend better and help them be as healthy as you can. (I won't judge anyone who can't for cost or time or whatever reasons, either, but if you've been thinking about it, definitely check out this book.)

I also recommend Home Cooking for Your Dog. I think this is the better of the two, but both have their strong points.

[Arlian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was pretty decent, though really more of a 3.5 stars instead of a solid 4. The recipes were very easy, and as someone who is already married to her slow cooker, I appreciated that a lot of them were cooked in one--saves me the hassle of trying to convert the recipe! I also really liked the charts that help you determine how many calories a day your dog needs based on its weight, and the fact that all the recipes include a range of portions sizes. However, there was a small amount of misinformation that I found inside (such as the statement that dogs should never eat poutlry bones. They should never eat *cooked* poultry bones, as they are too splintery, but raw ones are fine and help your dog get the appropriate amount of calcium in their diet.) All in all, I'm glad I purchased this book, and I am sure I will go back to it over and over.

[sharon spradlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of information!

There is quite a lot of information on feeding healthy meals to our dogs. After hearing about Blue Buffalo's lawsuit because of deceptive advertising (which I was feeding my dogs) I became discouraged with any of the foods on the market. Who really knows what's in this stuff. I've heard some horror stories. I decided to cook homemade food for my dogs. This is a good book but it is confusing with all the info. I just want to make a good stew with vitamins that I don't have to figure out. The treat recipes are excellent. I don't understand why I have to add dry food with the cooked since I'm trying to get away from the dry. I maybe missed something when I was reading.
Otherwise, this book has a lot of sound nutritional information and recipes.

[Dallas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very easy to read book while still leaving me feeling confident in the knowledge of the author. He even broke down the overwhelming information on the back of dry dog food labels. The only thing that would make it better is if he included storage methods for each recipe: if it can be frozen, how long it can be kept in a refrigerator, and how long it can be kept in the freezer (if that is possible).

[Clifford Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am using the recipes that are in this book and my dog is loving meal time.

I needed a resource of good recipes that could be utilized for my canine family member. I checked out the nutrition on a USDA websites food tracker and even though that was designed for us humans the nutritional value of the ingredients are valid. I did purchase a food processor to make preparation easier now that I have upgraded my buddy's food.

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent information about canine nutrition. Although I have only tried a few of the recipes I have used this book as a guideline to make my own. My chocolate lab Dinah loves her food. Her coat is shiny her eyes are bright and I laugh when I say her extra stinky gas is a thing of the past!

[Marcela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book for those pet parents, like myself, that are looking for a healthy alternative to kibble. I've tried a few of the recipes and my canine companion, Abby, loves them. Let your dog be the critic, I did.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This gave a bit more information than a fast Google search but still didn't go as in-depth as I am looking for. I still want to know what the actual nutritional requirements of a dog are.

[gundiegirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really informative. Learned how to read ingredient labels on my dog's food. Very helpful in what you can and can't feed your dog. Excellent recipes.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is The dog cookbook to read and have close to the kitchen!!