I purchase my pet food, but keep an eye on the ingredients. If the term "by-products" is on the label, it stays on the shelf. Since reading "Food Pets Die For" back in the 1990s (and then again during the pet food recall of 2006), every type of cat food coming into my home is carefully scrutinized. Maybe that's why my 19 year old is still healthy and playful and has a gorgeous coat.
I'm just curious how many of us produce our own pet food.Do you use commercial pet food or do you "cook" for your animals?
I used to make dog treats for my sister's animals - not real healthy but they liked them. I have 2 cats with diet needs so I buy their food. Over the years I have made fish food but since I no longer have that type of fish, I just buy it was well. I have no clue what I could make for my axolotl. I have this week just started to see if I can breed crickets for the bearded dragons.
They would eat worms (night crawlers) also. So would I, if I were hungry enough. 😕
"We 'Prep.' to live after a downfall, Not just to survive."
Ive been reading older forums (catching up as a newbie) preping with pets is very important to our family. Living with almost 500lbs of dog (4 dogs, the 2 males are 140 lbs ea) food storage is important. Gamma2 makes Vittal vaults, found at Petsmart, we use the 30lb size and have about 5 months on hand and rotate regularly. Can be pricey so we watch for sales. The Vittal vaults can also be used for human food storage such as rice, sugar etc; the dog food can also be stretched with rice and over time wild game would replace commercial food. our dogs are family and a vital part of our security, we prep with them in mind not only for when SHTF but the next ice storm, blizzard, flood etc.
i cant imagine not including them in preps
So glad to hear that someone else considers animals family, instead of a disposable "thing" or an alternative meat source. I love my cats - they are family - and consider prepping for their well being part of my own. Thanks for the info about the Vittal vaults - I'll be checking that out.
I put back for my critters also. 🙂
Two dogs that both eat what I make for them, they prefer it actually. I do buy food which I have stocked for them.
I mix the food so they are used to eating both if anything happens, No problem with their tummies getting used to eating whatever if one is not available.
Same as we should be doing before its time to hit our supplies, not such a shock to the system. 😉
One is an outdoor dog ( and spoiled) and is my eyes and ears for whats going on outside. She also protects HER chickens.
She doesn't cotton to anyone coming onto the place at all, that I don't know. Even those she knows, she will still sound the alarm if I am not out there.
The outdoor one has been inside and knows the rules of the house, so no problem if I ever have to take her in.
She is also a great ratter. Has a passionate hate for them and we work as a team to get any gone.
The indoor one (getting spoiled) is my ears when I am fast asleep. At a tender age of 3 months (and only 2 weeks here) she has already sounded an alarm about something she didn't think was right.
She is also a mouser.
I make my own milk bones for both of them. Healthy and I know whats gone into them.
Both are my faithful buddies/kids and very helpful so would never think of leaving them behind or dumping. Just so not gonna happen.
The outside one has been trained to come and hop in the my vehicle ASAP. The young one is getting trained for that too.
I also don't train them on the standard commands. They and myself have our own language you could say. 😆
Even the chickens (yes even the 2 roosters which both have protected me) have been trained to come to me with just a call. Don't need food to get them to me. Takes time to raise them that way. But its worth the time cause its so much easier rounding them up, when its needed in a hurry.
I have a place to have them inside, if need be, as well. Thats been thought out long ago. 😉
I am not buggin out. I am stayin put.
Tho if I ever have to, due to forest fire I hopefully can be out along with my critters as well. 🙂
You can call me crazy but my thoughts are this:
Each and everyone didn't ask to be here, I brought them here, so its up to me to be their protector to the end.
And yes I actually have BOBs in the vehicle for them.
A sense of humor is absolutely essential to survival.
Very nice posts!
My big puppy dog, has her own winter coat if needed as she does not have long hair, she also has her own removable pack. The version that comes apart, so if you rest, take off the pack but the under structure stays there for easy and quick, re harness.
Looking into making my own Dog food for her as well, starting to supplement the dog food with rice so she is used to the duel diet thing.
cheers
Very nice posts!
My big puppy dog, has her own winter coat if needed as she does not have long hair, she also has her own removable pack. The version that comes apart, so if you rest, take off the pack but the under structure stays there for easy and quick, re harness.Looking into making my own Dog food for her as well, starting to supplement the dog food with rice so she is used to the duel diet thing.
cheers
Personal winter coats! Bonus! Our four are what they call plush coats, longer outer hair with a soft under coat - Ive been practicing and learning to spin their hair to yarn, now just have to learn how to knit!
where did you get your pack, Im interested x4
Pet food is something that's been on my radar too. Me and my girlfriend have 3 cats and a dog. I do my best to make sure I'm not low on cat food, but I've found literally myself scraping the bottom of the barrel a few times between pay cheques. I think I'm going to dedicate a second 5 gallon bucket with a gamma lid to cat food so I can refill the first when I open the 2nd. It takes a while to go through the large bags of food and they fill a bucket and then some.
The GF is in charge of the dog food, I'm trying to encourage her to keep more on hand too. But its the same story between pays.
None of the animals have any health concerns yet, as they're all young, other than one of the cat's in more predisposed to throwing up if I don't get the hairball care cat food....
I have 2 dogs and cat slightly over fat.Just wander how many of you know that in most of the world there is no dog or cat food.Mostly the animals are never hungry or suffering.In north America we take sometime better care of animals than children.Back in Europe i had a beautiful dog and never even heard of dog food.
Do not spoiled them too much it could worse for them than than being hungry ones a while.
Henry
Henry,
please share how they got fed ok, so they can be learned here.
DOG pack from Outward Hound, just google the name and the link come up. Mine is a two part system;
a. harness system that stays on the dog
b. removable dog pack for when your stopping at side of trail or want to use the harness for an alternate usage, say like firewood, or carrying a travois or something.
Here is a link to an older thread for Pet preps
http://internationalpreppersnetwork.net/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=2506&p=28696#p28696
thanks very much for the int, i like how Outward Hound does not charge more for larger sizes. A big consideration when all our dogs are 120+ lbs
Mine is a Cane Corso x with Great Dane/Lurcher, nobody knows who the father is and the mother is not telling!
She handles the cold petty good, though she does not have long hair, her under hair is dense. She is a bit of a drama and attention queen and has learned to shiver to get attention (before I met her!!)
The pack was picked up on sale in January last year from a Pet Store, not sure the name sorry.
I am impressed, I am new to these sites and spending a lot of time reading. The level headed notes I have just read made me throw in my two cents. I have had dogs most of my life, always in pairs, they are fed both store bought and what I cook. Training in minimal and done so I and they understand what I want. I have found that their love for the pack is sufficient for the rest. I have learned to watch them when we are out, they clearly communicate if you know what to look for.
I am in a very rural location which is lovely and remote. I don't plan to go anywhere and they will continue to work with me should things go bad.