Cook For Your Pets Day

The official holiday season is in full swing … and that means lots of sweet and scrumptious dishes. Of course, your furry bestie will be paying close attention once you start cooking. Our animal companions are always very, very interested in whatever we are eating or making! Why not make something for your pet? A local Louisville, KY vet offers some insight into this below.

What Foods Can You Cook For Your Pet?

Every type of animal is a bit different, so you’ll want to get some specific advice from your vet.  Your furry pal’s dietary needs may also change a bit as they age and/or their health changes. For instance, you wouldn’t want to give fish to a kitty with thyroid issues, as the iodine isn’t going to be good for her.

That all said, for dogs and cats, most types of meat, fish, or poultry are fine, as long as they are cooked and unseasoned. You’ll also need to remove the skin, bones, and fat. There are a few caveats here, though.

• Organ meats, such as liver and kidney, should be fed sparingly. They’re fine once in a while, but too much could lead to Vitamin A toxicity.
• Meats that are very high in salt or fat, such as bacon and sausage, should also be limited. (Sorry, Fido!)
• Only offer boneless meat. Cooked bones become quite brittle, and can break off into sharp pieces that are very, very dangerous for your pet to swallow.

Meat shouldn’t be the only ingredient in your pet’s food. Even hypercarnivores get traces of other foods via their prey. A good diet should contain the correct proportions of fat, protein, and water, as well as vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

What Fruits And Veggies Can Dogs Have?

Fido can also have certain fruits and veggies. Here is a partial list of some of the safe ones:

• Apples
• Bananas
• Blackberries
• Blueberries
• Cantaloupe
• Carrots
• Cranberries
• Cucumber
• Kiwis
• Mangoes
• Oranges
• Peas
• Pears
• Pineapple
• Pumpkin
• Raspberries
• Spinach
• Strawberries
• Sweet Potato
• Watermelon

Always remove seeds and pips before giving your pet any fruits or veggies. Some may need to be cut into small pieces or even shredded. 

What Other Foods Can Fido Have? 

You may also find yourself wanting to include a few other things, such as dairy. Cheese, eggs, plain yogurt, and cottage cheese are a few things that are safe for dogs. However, these should be offered in small amounts. Fido would probably be more than happy to help you polish off that stick of extra sharp cheddar, but you don’t want to overindulge him! 

Ask your Louisville, KY vet for more information on safe and unsafe foods. 

How Do I Choose Recipes For My Pet?

You’ll be able to find plenty of recipes for your furry buddy online. However, these are definitely not one size fits all. What is right for a St. Bernard isn’t going to be suitable for a Chihuahua! We would strongly suggest that you talk to your vet and get a clear understanding of your pet’s nutritional needs. 

That said, the ingredients are really going to make or break any specific recipe. Generally, you’d want something that is based on meat. Cooked, unseasoned meat, fish, or poultry  should form the bulk of both Fluffy and Fido’s diets. Of course, you will need to remove the skin, bones, and fat. You can shred the meat if you like. You may also find recipes that use canned meat or deli meat. That’s fine, but keep in mind that processed foods may contain more salt than whole foods would. 

Stick with ones that are offered by veterinarians or by reputable sources. You may find some tempting ones made by influencers, but you’ll need to make sure these past muster with your vet. 

What Foods Are Not Safe For Pets?

Many people foods are dangerous to our four-legged companions. Garlic, onions, scallions, and chives are all unsafe. In general, anything with a bulb should be considered toxic to your pet. Other unsafe foods include chocolate; alcohol; pitted fruits; nuts; caffeine; and grapes, currants, or raisins. Raw meat, dough, and yeast are also unsafe, as is meat on the bone, as mentioned above.

There are also certain foods that are only safe in small amounts. Organ meats, like liver and kidney, fall into this category, as mentioned above. Things like broccoli and cauliflower also fall into this category, as they can cause gas.

Be sure to ask your Louisville, KY vet for more specific information  on your pet’s diet and care needs.

Can I Make My Dog Treats?

If we were able to ask Fido what his absolute favorite things are, it’s probably pretty safe to say that treats would be at—or at least near—the top of the list. Treats are actually quite beneficial for our furry friends. They are not only great for bonding, but also help with training, help Fido feel safe and loved, and generally just get that cute tail going.

There are tons of recipes online. These all start with some kind of base. Some options include natural peanut butter; olive or wheat germ oil; cheese; bacon bits; whole-wheat flour; eggs; liver powder; oatmeal; ripe bananas; or pureed pumpkin. You can also use minced meat, plain yogurt, or sodium-free broth. Many types of baby food are also fine, but you will need to check the label to make sure that it doesn’t contain anything unsafe, such as raisins, garlic, or onions. You can also mix and match and try different combinations. 

From there, you can customize your furry friend’s snacks. Add tail-waggers like  shredded deli meat, bits of kibble, bacon bits, egg, and, of course, cheese.  Fido will also benefit  from certain fruits and veggies.

• Pumpkin Yums: For this one, you would mix a can of pureed pumpkin with some natural peanut butter, an egg, and whole-wheat flour. Shape into balls, or use a dog-treat maker to form little bones. Cook for about 15-20 minutes at 350, or until you get the desired crunchiness level.
• Turkey Bites: Mix plain, boneless turkey with cheese, eggs, baby food, and safe fruits or veggies. Put it in a food processor and blend it all, then divide into small portions. Bake for a half hour at 375. 
• Simple Biscuit: For this one, you would combine whole-wheat flour with eggs and olive oil for the base. Then, you can add extras, like kibble or bacon bits. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
• Combine canned chicken with shredded cheese, bacon bits, whole-wheat flour, and sodium-free chicken broth in a blender or food processor. Bake for 15 minutes at 350.

Ask your Louisville, KY vet for more information on cooking for your pet. 

Make An Appointment At Our Louisville, KY Pet Clinic

Do you have questions about your pet’s diet or care? Contact us, your local Louisville, KY pet hospital, today!