Basics

• Introduce new foods one at a time in case your dog has an adverse reaction. As with any new diet, introduce homemade foods gradually. In the first few days, mix 25 percent homemade food with 75 percent kibble. After two or three days, mix 50 percent of each. If you plan to stay with a mix of kibble and homemade foods, stick to the 50-50 blend. If you ever decide to switch completely to a homemade diet, just continue increasing the amount of homemade food in your dog's kibble. In addition to protein, vegetables and whole grains, you dog's diet needs vitamins and minerals. Your dog's kibble has these. Therefore, if you increase to more than 50 percent homemade foods in your dog's kibble, you may have to supplement with bone-meal, vitamins and minerals.
  
  

Protein

• Protein is the food that your dog is most likely missing in her dry kibble. If the source of the protein is safe and organic, you may be able to feed your dog raw meat. Choose muscle meats and, if possible, include any bones which are safe for your dog. Another simple and complete source of protein you can add to your dog's kibble is raw, lightly scrambled or boiled eggs. Your dog may also enjoy small amounts of organ meat added to his kibble. Canned fish, plain yogurt and cottage cheese are other foods you can use in a homemade diet to boost your dog's protein intake.
  
  

Fruits and Vegetables

• Mix fruit and vegetables with protein and your dog's kibble to give him a more rounded diet. Fruit and vegetables should be pureed. Whole fruits and vegetables may pass undigested through your dog's system. Vegetables can instead be lightly steamed and chopped to aid digestion. Mixed with proteins, your dog may be accepting of most fruits and vegetables, or you may need to try a few out to find ones he likes. Popular choices are carrots, celery, greens, cabbage, spinach, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, zucchini, asparagus, turnips, parsnips, banana, papaya, apple, pear, blueberries and avocado. As a general rule, use three to four portions of vegetables for one portion of fruit. Pumpkin is a good vegetable to combat constipation, and garlic (raw and in small doses) helps fight parasites.
  
  

Grains

• Your dog's dry kibble may very well contribute the 50 percent of the grains needed in her diet. Most dog foods are high in carbohydrates. However, if you are adding more than 50 percent homemade food to your dog's diet, you should add some grains and starchy vegetables to the homemade food. Carbohydrates that are beneficial to your dog's diet are potatoes, sweet potatoes, winter squashes, brown rice, oatmeal, quinoa and barley.