Keeping The Dogs Healthy

Everyone knows how much I love my fur babies. And I think most everyone knows I make a lot of their food too, which I will be doing again today as well. I make the dogs’ food, but NO WAY will I make the cats’ food. Cats need extra nutrients and vitamins, and it is way to cost prohibitive to make their food. People are always asking me what types of “people” food can dogs have and what can’t they have. So I thought I would share some doggie do’s and don’ts with you today.

Juneau and Dorrie looking pretty, and healthy out in the yard.

Remember, the type of foods you give to your pet can either heal or harm them. Dogs and cats, which are carnivores and predators by nature, require a species-appropriate, meat-based diet. Unfortunately, a lot of people either forget this or don’t know it, but dogs and cats NEED meat and protein. They are carnivores, NOT vegetarians. Making a dog or cat vegetarian is NOT a healthy choice for them, and is not natural for them either.

Dogs can eat most things, and NEED a lot of protein in their diet. A diet high in protein and low in fat is ideal. For the most part, they can eat most of the same things we do, only in moderation. But there are some foods dogs CAN’T have. These foods could kill them. Dogs CANNOT eat chocolate, raisins, grapes, tomatoes, macadamia nuts, almonds, onions, garlic, alcohol, coffee or caffeine.

When you take a stroll down the pet food aisle of your local grocery, you will likely be overwhelmed by the numerous cat and dog food choices available – dry, pouched, canned, kibbled, moist, semi-moist… the list goes on. Many pet parents think they’re making the right choice when they buy these attractively packaged products that promise the highest quality foods for their furry pals. Even the most well-meaning pet parents fall into this and other marketing traps.

But don’t be deceived – it’s all part of the pet food business, which is an extension of the big food and agricultural industries that produce nutritionally deficient, overly processed junk foods. Their number one priority is to make money… not to ensure your pet’s health. Sure, there are a handful of ethical companies producing human grade, fresh, non-GMO, organic pet foods out there, but they can be hard to find and often times, cost prohibitive. The cheapest way to know exactly what is in your pet food and treats is to
make it yourself. If you choose to make your pet’s food, it’s very important you follow a recipe that has been tested to be nutritionally complete. Balance is key to ensuring that your home-cooked meals will nourish your pet and not
end up destroying his health. This means that the food you make must contain all the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients your dog or cat needs. Here are some basics for starting the process of making your dog’s food.

1. You have TOTAL control over what goes into your pet’s food. You can adjust
   the ingredient list, making sure that there are no additives or preservatives going into your pet’s body. Plus, your pet can enjoy high-quality organic meats, and not the rendered proteins found in many processed pet foods.

2. Your pets will enjoy fresh foods that can be catered to their special nutritional requirements. You can select the right vegetables, herbs, and other spices that have the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, omega-3s, and medicinal properties that your pets need.

3. It helps you save money in the long run. You can stock up on large quantities
of meats and vegetables when they’re on sale, then prepare, package, and freeze the treats ahead of time. Another good idea is to pair up with friends who want to provide their pets the same high-quality treats – you can divide the expense and treat preparations among yourselves, or better yet, bake with a friend!

And here a re a couple of easy-peasy doggie recipes your fur babies will love.

Chewy Parsley Liver Cubes

Liver and other organ meats are an essential part of the natural diet of wild canines and felines. Here’s a tasty way to serve it to your domesticated pooch or kitty.

1 lb. beef liver, thinly sliced
2 Tbsp. dried parsley
Procedure:

1. Dry the liver slices by blotting them with a paper towel, and then
   dust them with parsley.
2. Transfer the liver to a greased cookie sheet, and bake for 30
   minutes at 325°F.
3. Remove the cookie sheet from the oven, flip the liver slices, and
   then bake for another 20 minutes.
4. Once the liver is cooked, transfer to a cooling rack. Once cool, cut
   into bite-sized cubes.
   Store in the refrigerator and consume within one week. If stored in the
   freezer, this can stay fresh for up to three months.

Fishy Beef Bites

A perfect blend of fish and beef, this protein-loaded snack is a scrumptious treat for your dog or kitty. Now I would not recommend serving it like this, though the dogs will certainly devour it within seconds, but you get the idea. 🙂

1 cup ground meat – it can be either turkey, bison, venison or beef

1 (7 1/2 oz) can wild salmon, drained

1 sweet potato, cooked and mashed

1 egg

Preheat the oven to 350*F or 180*C. Spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray.

Mix everything together and spread out onto the prepared cookie sheet. Bake for about 50 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for about 15 minutes. Carefully flip the contents out and re-pan it on the other side. Bake again for about 20 minutes. Then let cool and and cut into into bite-sized morsels. If you are giving this to the cats, you need to cut it a lot smaller than when giving it to the dogs.

My girls haven’t tried either of these yet, but I’m sure they will soon. They do love their treats, especially if mommy makes them. These and so many more recipes can be found on Pinterest, or you can always talk to your vet about some fresh ideas too.

I don’t make Juneau and Dorrie’s wet food nearly as often as I used to, or as often as I should. Lately, they have been having a lot of canned food, which we call “McDonald’s”. We mix their wet food in with their dry food at dinner time. For breakfast, they get dried food mixed with jerky treats and depending on who feeds them, cheese as well. Mommy gives them a little cheese in the mornings. Daddy doesn’t, but then daddy gives them cookies in the mornings and mommy does not. Regardless of who feeds them, you can tell they are well fed and well loved.

All four of my fur babies, on “their” couch. You can see they have personalized it quite a bit, which to most of us, myself included, means they have ruined it. It is up in the office, and no one but us can see it. But as you can see, they are all quite comfortable.

Otis (tan puma), Nicodemus or Nicky (black panther), Juneau (malamute) and Andorra or Dorrie (English cream golden)

Love your fur babies. They love you no matter what. Give them the best and shower them with lots of love. Have a great day and make everyday great. Stay safe, stay well and keep your fur babies safe and well too. ‘Til next time.