Our Story
Homegrown Hounds was originally created to support my nonprofit dog rescue efforts, but quickly became a larger part of my purpose: to help educate owners about nutrition!
Not only am I about saving dogs, I also want to help all dogs live their happiest, healthiest life. Starting with the food and treats they eat! While most dog owners are becoming more aware of what’s in their dog food, they still reach for the poison-laden treats for celebratory and daily “dental chews”. I hope to give you easy guides to recognize those cancer causing ingredients and say “not for my baby!”
My recipes were initially made for my first dog, Tater, who LOVED to eat! He was pleasantly plump, but being Italian, I can’t let anyone go hungry! So I had to find a way to keep him healthy, while also satisfying his constant need for snacks. The answer was low carb, simple ingredient treats. Since there was nothing like that on the market (that didn’t have added sweeteners, refined flours, artificial dyes and preservatives), I had to make my own! Thus, creating Homegrown Hounds.
I love my dogs like they are my kids, as many of you do. It’s an amazing feeling, but it also makes me worry about losing them since our time together is already shorter then I’d like it to be. When Tater started aging, I forced myself to become more educated about his health, what I was feeding him and alternative modalities.
It didn’t take me long to learn that the kibble I was feeding him was giving him a plump figure, making his liver work harder than it should be and exposing him to a host of cancer causing carcinogens. And when I went to my first dog bakery, I was even more disappointed! From yogurt chips, to sugars to artificial dyes…oof. Most people think “one sugary cake for their birthday isn’t a big deal” however, sugar feeds cancer and it’s hard to know what will push some conditions over the edge. I say better safe than sorry! Plus, it will wreak havoc on your dogs digestive system, not to mention your carpet!
I’ve never met a dog I didn’t love, and I wish I could help them all live forever, so while I continue my search for canine immortality…I offer you the only food and treats I trust to feed to my furbabies!
Bon appétit,
Melanie Fox, CCN, CSANN, CSAH, CSAN
About Auntie M
Melanie Fox, aka “Auntie M” is a Certified Small Animal Naturopath, Herbalist, and Holistic Nutritionist, with over 16 years of experience. Running her own dog rescue, she fostered, cared for and cured rescue dogs of all breeds and sizes. Logging over 200 cases. She works with veterinarians and pet owners to aid in alternative treatments, customized diets and pet coaching sessions.
Melanie Fox with her Furbabies Ameera and Akeem
Tater Tot & Melanie: the original inspo for Homegrown Hounds and Auntie M’s first furbaby! Miss you every day sweet boy.
I have a pit bull / lab mix that has had stomach sensitivity her entire adult life. All commercial dog foods eventually give her diarrhea. Nutrition wasn’t the first thing that brought me to Homegrown Hounds; the cakes were. These dog cakes are the stuff of dog parent dreams – adorable and healthy (check out the Cow Cutie). But after talking with Auntie M, (the brains behind HGH) she assured me that home cooking a balanced dog food was not only possible, but maybe the best route for my pup. I’ve been making her homemade food recipe and using the Mineral Mix since 2019. All of my pups have bloodwork done regularly because my veterinarian is nervous about this, but all of their bloodwork always comes normal! We no longer experience the diarrhea, and I have peace of mind knowing exactly what my babies eat.
— Sandra, Lewisville, TX
Homegrown Hounds has created such beautiful memories for me and my pups, Meli and Lulu. When life got ruff, we would head to Homegrown Hounds. We’ve had so much fun at all the special events like Christmas with Santa Paws and indoor snow! The bacon hunts, the cookie-making classes, Halloween contests, & the Puppy Bowl parties! and the indoor park play, Some of our favorite times have been at our fur friends birthday parties. Melanie has created many fun and unique party themes and designed decorated cakes to match. Her cakes and treats are so clever and tasty. Meli’s favorite is the meat cake and especially the chicken jerky. Homegrown Hounds always goes the extra mile to make anything paws-ible.
Homegrown Hounds deserves a Round of A-Paws!
— Becky, Arlington, TX