Put down the Kibble. It’s National Cook for your pets day.

Over the last century, pets have gone from utilitarian beings and accessories to venerated family members. In some households they are more important than the people. And, rightfully so. They are our children, our friends, our companions, our charge, and our masters all at once. I often wonder if we were really invaded by aliens and they are our pets who have become our overlords. They lay around all day. Play when they want. Do what they want. We feed them, take them to the doctors, take them for walks. Then, we take them out to do their duty, pick up the evidence, then bring it back and put it in the trash. We marvel at them as they play and do super cute things. So, Why stop there? Put down the Kibble and cook for them.

They don’t contribute to society. Very few have actual jobs. Yet, we spend billions on them every year. Sounds like royalty. But, many of us subjugated “owners” aren’t pulling our weight when it comes to proper feeding. A scoop of kibble and/or a can of food slopped into a bowl isn’t exactly the treatment royalty deserve. So, today is your day to atone and treat your furry monarch with the respect they demand and deserve. So, Put down the Kibble. It’s National Cook for your pets day. Most of the information here will be tailored to dogs and cats because we are mostly dog and cat people here. But, we recommend doing further research no matter what kind of pet you have.

Put down the Kibble. It’s National Cook for your pets day. But, be mindful of their unique dietary needs.

Just like the royals have delicate dietary tastes, needs, and desires; pets require special food. While we love onion rings and chocolate, these can be fatal to dogs. So, it’s not as simple as sharing your food with them. Whether you have cats, dogs, ferrets, or fish; learn what foods are good and which are bad for them. And, don’t assume they need the same nutrients as us. There is a reason we feed dogs a diet that has been specially formulated for their needs. If you want to get your dog off commercially produced food, do some research and find out what a balanced diet looks like for your pet.

And, counter to the way humans eat, dogs and other pets need a consistent diet. Anyone who has ever switched their dog from one food to another knows this well. We love variety in our diets. But, dogs have sensitive stomachs that react to food changes in unpredictable (or in most cases: predictable) ways. This isn’t to say you can’t give your dog or other pets a treat with something different periodically. And, that is what today is all about.

Dos and Don’ts:

There are many things that are good for dogs and cats (and other pets). As a child my family had a pet monkey. She used to eat grasshoppers and crickets like they were candy. Cats love their seafood. And, dogs love their meat. You wouldn’t feed fish food to a dog. And, you wouldn’t feed dog food to a fish. We won’t get into an exhaustive list of dos and don’ts, But, we can highlight enough things to help you create a special meal for that special furry someone in your life. So, if you are going to cook for your dog or cat, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Good for your pet:

1. Animal proteins: Turkey, Lamb, Chicken, Beef, and others
2. Seafood (But, be careful when choosing)
3. Eggs
4. Spinach
5. Green Beans
6. Carrots
7. Sweet Potato (And, to a lesser degree potatoes)
8. Peanut butter
9. Peas
10. bananas
11. Blueberries
12. Apples

Bad for your pet:

1. Chocolate, coffee, caffeine
2. Onions, garlic, chives
3. Grapes and raisins
4. Avocado
5. Alcohol
6. Macadamia nuts and other nuts
7. Apple seeds
8. Cherry pits
9. Too much dairy, especially ice cream
10. Candy
11. Xylitol and artificial sweeteners.
12. Stone fruit pits
13. Chicken bones
14. yeast dough

So, What are you going to make?

In addition to this list, some pets are gluten and dairy sensitive. So, try to limit fillers like flour. Cheese is usually tolerable in small doses. I find that if you stick to a few safe ingredients, you can make a wonderful meal that your pet will love. For a special treat try our pupcake recipe. Give your pet a treat. But, keep their sensitive stomachs in mind. Below, we have a recipe for a meal that your dogs and cats will be sure to love. I fed this to my dogs last night and it was gone in 10 seconds.

Cocker’s best Lamb Stew

cheffd

Print Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 2 hours hrs

Course Main Course

Cuisine canine, Dog food, Pet friendly

Servings 4 Cocker sized Meals

Ingredients

  

• 1 Pound Cubed Lamb, beef, or other meat from a tougher cut like leg or shoulder
• 1 cup Carrots, chopped
• 1 cup Potato, cubed
• 1 cup Sweet Potato, cubed
• 1 cup Winter squash like butternut or pumpkin, cubed
• 1 cup Spinach or green beans (optional)
• 2 Quarts Water
• Olive oil for cooking

Instructions

 

• Heat Olive oil in a Large pot over medium high heat. Sear the meat in the oil, stirring occasionally to keep from sticking. Add water, bring to a boil. Taper back the heat to a simmer. Let it go until the meat begins to soften (about 1 to 1 1/2 hours). Add more water if needed.
• Add in the potatoes and cook until they begin to fall apart. The starch from the potatoes will thicken the broth.
• Add in the carrots and sweet potatoes and return to a simmer. Stir until well mixed. Allow them to soften.
• If adding green vegetables, add at the end, so they don't overcook.
• The mixture should come together as a paste almost. Remove from the heat and cool enough that your dog won't burn its mouth. Serve fresh and/or refrigerate the remainder.

Keyword Canine, Dog food, Dog Treat, Healthy, Pet Friendly