More homemade food - Satin Balls or Fat Balls

[vagreys]

You may already know about these. Satin balls (and fat balls) can put weight on a dog fast. I've used the first recipe on rescued Greys that were in bad shape, with excellent results. Used as a supplement to the diet, they give a great shine to the coat (hence, satin balls). Some who show swear by satin balls as excellent travel food for their hounds. This first recipe is reputed to be a complete dog food. I don't know if it is, or not. This is a high-calorie food, so add up the calorie content of the food you make (cal/lb or cal/kg), and be careful not to overfeed.

I haven't used the other recipes, but included them because others have offered them as alternatives that worked for them. I'd be worried about some of the high dairy content, myself...

Satin Balls:
10 pounds hamburger meat
1 lg. box of Total cereal (or other vitamin-fortified, unsweetened cereal)
1 lg. box oatmeal
1 jar of wheat germ
1 1/4 cup veg oil
1 1/4 cup of unsulfured molasses
10 raw eggs AND shells
10 envelopes of unflavored gelatin
pinch of salt
(You may also add a pinch of garlic powder to add flavor)

Mix all ingredients together, much like you would a meatloaf. Divide into 10 quart freezer bags and freeze. Thaw as needed and feed raw.


Fat Balls #1:
10 lb (4.53kg) Hamburger
10 oz (.28kg) Oats
6 Egg Yolks
10 oz (.28kg) Wheat Germ
10 oz (.28kg) Molasses

Put in a big bowl and mix. Roll into one inch balls and freeze.


Fat Balls #2:
1 lb (.45kg) hamburger mince (high fat content)
1 package cream cheese
1 jar all natural peanut butter
1 dozen egg yolks
1 cup rolled oats soaked in milk
1 jar wheat germ

Mix thoroughly (with hands is best). Freeze into meal sized bags and thaw as needed.


Fat Balls #3:
Small container of heavy cream
1 dozen egg yolks
2 blocks of cream cheese (room temp)
5 lbs ground beef
1 small box TOTAL cereal (crunch up into small crumbs)
1 cup wheat germ

Mix dry ingredients, add heavy cream, add cream cheese, mix together. Add ground beef, mix together. Roll into balls, and freeze.


Fat Balls #4:
2 cups Dry Dog food
2 packs cream cheese
1½ cups Peanut Butter
½ cup Corn Oil
1 cup Cottage Cheese
1 pound Browned Hamburger (save some of the grease)

Blend dog food (crushed fine) and add remaining ingredients. Mix till you have a doughy mixture add more dog meal as needed if consistency is too thin. On wax paper spread some meal and roll out mixture into log shape. Refrigerate until firm and slice as needed. Feed them a slice or two several times during the day. Very high calorie...will put weight on fairly quick.


FATTEN 'EM UP QUICK MEATLOAF:

Note: This requires a huge pot for mixing. Makes a two week supply for one dog.

1 dozen hard boiled eggs, chopped
10 lbs of inexpensive hamburger meat
20 oz Jar of Wheat Germ
1 canister of Knox Gelatin, joint complex, (Knox Unflavoured NutraJoint Powder 5.5oz)
1 large box of Total breakfast cereal [Australians use 340 grams of Sanitarium Weetbix]
2 x 1 lb boxes of Quaker oatmeal, (the kind you cook)
1½ cups Canola Oil
12 oz jar of unsulfered Molasses
¼ tsp salt
1 heaping teaspoon minced Garlic, (jarred variety or fresh, NOT dried)
Box of 1qt Freezer bags

Dump all into a huge pot and mix it thoroughly. Separate into 14 freezer bags, gently squeezing out the air before sealing. Flatten out the bags, (this will allow for a quicker thaw period), and lay flat on a freezer shelf. Feed one packet each day, half in morning, half in evening. Breaking up into chunks, or rolling into meatballs.

[skunkstripe]

These sound like they are great for dogs. Thanks so much for posting these recipes.

[Georgia]

I'm still amazed that egg shells are ok for dogs. We're close to trying some homemade recipes like this. Thanks for the info.

[Borzoi mad]

Thanks for the recipes.

[vagreys]

I'm still amazed that egg shells are ok for dogs. We're close to trying some homemade recipes like this. Thanks for the info.
I don't think the calcium in the shells makes that much of a difference, if at all. Some recipes for satin balls just call for raw eggs, egg yolks, or peeled, hardboiled eggs. Leave the shells out, if they cause you concern. The canine digestive system was designed to deal with tough objects like small pieces of raw bone and wood. Mine have never had any problems. When I lived on the farm, our dogs would eat raw eggs and the shells without hesitation, if a range hen laid an egg out in the open barnyard.

[Georgia]

I don't think the calcium in the shells makes that much of a difference, if at all. Some recipes for satin balls just call for raw eggs, egg yolks, or peeled, hardboiled eggs. Leave the shells out, if they cause you concern. The canine digestive system was designed to deal with tough objects like small pieces of raw bone and wood. Mine have never had any problems. When I lived on the farm, our dogs would eat raw eggs and the shells without hesitation, if a range hen laid an egg out in the open barnyard.

It's funny you say that because I'm always torn between treating the dog as a dog and treating her like a fragile pet. I know it's a confusing statement to many but at times I over worry about the dog thinking that if something goes wrong I have to explain to the vet that I'm not a bad owner. With my luck she'd eat the shells and get some kind of blockage for example. Don't get me wrong, I believe you, it's just how my mind works at times. I think part of the problem is also how we're told as humans to avoid raw eggs and raw meat so I tend to assume it's also dangerous to the animals. :confused:

[vagreys]

It's funny you say that because I'm always torn between treating the dog as a dog and treating her like a fragile pet. I know it's a confusing statement to many but at times I over worry about the dog thinking that if something goes wrong I have to explain to the vet that I'm not a bad owner...
I know what you mean. When my Zen ate a juice glass, a couple of years back, the e-vet explained in detail why, if the glass wasn't over a certain size, he wasn't too worried. I was beside myself. As it turned out, the glass would not move on its own, and we did have to operate to extract it. I suspect it also depends on the breed, to some degree, and the size of the dog. So, what works for a Greyhound, isn't necessarily going to hold for a King Charles...like I said, if you are concerned, don't bother with the shells.

[skunkstripe]

I think part of the problem is also how we're told as humans to avoid raw eggs and raw meat so I tend to assume it's also dangerous to the animals. :confused:

Well you know what I do? I just do not listen. There are plenty of countries where is is considered normal to eat raw eggs and meat. As a matter of fact, I lived in one of those countries for many years and got used to eating raw ground pork. I wish I could get decent steak tartare around where I live (fat chance!) and was furious when a pseudo-Italian restaurant I went to not too long ago botched the Carpaccio by putting some kind of goopy sauce on it. As it is I barely cook meat (just wave it back and forth in front of the grill) and I am as healthy as can be.

But I am thinking of making a batch of those satin balls for myself, it would probably do a lot more for my hair than the stuff I put on it.

[mysterydog1]

O.o Really? I grew up an All-American spoiled brat! :P he,he,he. But yes, those are good repipies, and the homemade wet food recipie she posted another time sounded so good I wanted to eat it!