Raw Dog Food Preparation Guide
Section 5 – Assembling The Ingredients
Step 1: Preparing the Space
Video Summary for Preparing the Space:
- Clear out the preparation space of all items because food splatter is likely
- Have clothing you can throw in the wash afterwards and shoes (flip flops or clogs are ideal) that can also be washed
Step 2: Sharpening and Using Knives
Video Summary for Sharpening and Using Knives:
- Have at least one large knife available that you can put weight on with both hands to crush through chicken backs
- Two small/medium size knives and one large knife are ideal.
Step 3: Cutting and Grinding Meats
General Instruction on Cutting and Grinding Meats
Video Summary For Cutting and Grinding Meats:
- This step can be done on another day before assembly
- Use a heavy duty hand-assist tool to push meat into the grinder
- Use rubber gloves when cutting chicken – the heavier the better – to protect hands from sharp chicken bones
- You may need to clean and sharpen knives in between cutting chickens.
Feeding Whole vs. Ground Chicken
Video Summary for Feeding Whole vs. Ground Chicken:
- Why grind? Minimize choking or gulping down of food, especially chicken bones
- Grind whole chickens and bones – bones are a critical source of calcium. If you do not use chicken bones, the the spreadsheet tool will tell you how much calcium in the form of ground egg shell powder to use
- If you grind whole chickens, then about 25% is bone, which the spreadsheet tool assumes.
Step 4: Keeping Accurate Weight Counts and Mixing in the Meats
Video Summary for Keeping Accurate Weight Counts and Mixing in the Meats:
- The meat forms the main ingredient and based on its weight, the spreadsheet tool computes the weights of the other ingredients
- Make sure before you grind, cut, slice and assemble ingredients, input them into the spreadsheet tool, or verify they are correct if you already input them.
Step 5: Grinding Vegetables and Fruits
Video Summary for Grinding Vegetables and Fruits:
- Wash the vegetables and fruits before cutting and grinding
- Put the food processor in the sink, as it makes for easier cleanup
Step 6: Mixing Eggs
Video Summary for Mixing Eggs:
- Clean out shells and set aside to dry
Step 7: Mixing the Ingredients and Transferring to Containers for Storage
Video Summary for Mixing the Ingredients and Transferring to Containers for Storage:
- Use less plastic and more glass and metal
- Kitchen gloves and your hands are best, but a heavy duty mixing tool can also be used
- Spoon out into smaller containers and freeze (2-quart containers are ideal for us)
- Use small enough containers so that not too much food is sitting in the refrigerator for an extended period of time.
- We defrost 2-quart containers over 3 to 4-days, and use up within 2-days
Step 8: Final Cleaning
Video Summary for Final Cleaning:
- We use biodegradable soap and vinegar – first remove all food particles, clean with soap and rinse, then do final spray and wipe down with vinegar
- Remove all food particles from dish rags and soak in vinegar
- Don’t forget to clean cabinets and floors, and your clothing and shoes if you prepare large batches of food
- Let your dogs lick the mixing container!
Step 9: Grinding Egg Shells
Video Summary for Grinding Egg Shells:
- Make sure the egg shells are completely dry
- Grind in a coffee grinder that you use only for egg shells or for grinding other dog food ingredients