Home cooked food for minature poodles

Question
Dear Kim,

Great site!  I have a female miniature poodle (age: 6 yrs). She is very unhealthy.  I have spent a tremendous amount of money with vets and treatments and medicines.  Nothing works.  I have changed her food so often that I believe I've tried every expensive brand.

PROBLEMS:
1.  gags as though she will throw up.  This is constant.
2.  scratches all day and bites her two front legs.  This is constant.
3.  she stinks so bad, I can't stand to touch her.  My house smells!
4.  her ears smell like death.  I've bought very ear product for yeast that I can find.  

I started cooking her food.  This is what I do:
cook-n-freeze:
2 pounds ground meat and or liver
2 pounds pasta and or rice
1 can yams
1 can carrots
1 can (something green)
MIX AND SERVE.  I freeze it and thaw out as needed.  

I saw your recipe, but you say to "MIX WITH THEIR REGULAR FOOD".  What can I do?  If I start cooking your recipe, how many TABLE SPOONS per serving do I give her?  And is it enough nutrients?

Thanks in advance for your help.
Monica


Answer
Hello Monica,
The gaging could be due to allergies, or something bothering her in her throat.  It could also be due to a collaped treachea.  Does she pull alot when you walk her?  If so, use a harness rather than a buckle collar when walking.  You might have her checked by a Vet for this.  

For the scratching and biting her front legs, this could also be due to allergies.  You can check for fleas, but this is probably not the problem.  

The smell could be due to a gland problem, or it could be her breath or from gas.  Try washing her with a mixture of Hydrogen Peroxide-Baking Soda-and Dish Soap.  This is the mix that they use for dogs that have been sprayed by a skunk.  When you make it up, DO NOT store it in a closed bottle.  Make it up then apply it right then.  It is about a cup of HP, 1 tblspoon Baking Soda, and enough dish soap to make it sudsy, about 1/4 cup or so.  


The ear problem could be more than just yeast.  Your best bet on that would be to get her to the Vet to see just what is happening in her ears.  The hair will need to be removed and they will need to take a culture to see what is going on down in the ear canal.
Yeasty ears usually smell bad, but there is a yellow flaky substance in the ears, and they look red and inflamed.  

My recipe is as follows:
1 lb Hamburger, Lamb, or Turkey Burger (you can also use Liver)
1 can Sardines in Olive Oil
1 cup Spinach, blended with the Oil of the Sardines
1 egg scrambled
1 Apple Blended (or you can use 1/2 cup of Applesauce)
1/8 tsp Garlic powder
1 grated carrot
1/2 cup brown rice, cooked using broth (either a meat or Veggie variety) for better flavor
1/2 cup Cottage Cheese or Yogurt
You can also use Sweet Potato, Fresh is better than canned, don't use too much because too much starch isn't good for your dog.
I would put about 3-4 tablespoons per cup of your dogs dry food.  It has the nutrients and vitamins/minerals that your dog will need, but the dry kibble will help keep teeth clean and depending on which food you use, can provide good stuff for bones and body.

I hope this has helped you some.  If you have other questions for me, please feel free to ask.

Thanks for using AllExperts.com,
Kim