Cooking For Your Pet: Tips From A Ellicott City, MD Veterinarian

Does your pet pay super close attention when you cook? Our animal friends are always very interested in anything we are eating. If you like cooking, why not try making something for your pet? A local Ellicott City, MD veterinarian provides some local perspective on this below. 

Appropriate Foods for Your Pup

Every kind of animal is unique, so you should seek some particular guidance from your veterinarian. As your furry friend ages and/or experiences changes in their health, their food requirements could also change. For example, you wouldn’t want to feed fish to a feline with thyroid problems, since the iodine won’t be good for her. 

• Most kinds of meat, fish, or poultry are good for dogs and cats as long as they are boiled and unseasoned. Remove the fat, bones, and skin. Still, there are certain limitations here.
• Organ meats, such as the kidney and liver, should be eaten lightly. Once in a while, they are okay, but too much could cause vitamin A toxicity.
• Foods heavy in fat or salt, such sausage and bacon, should also be limited. (Sorry, Fido!)
• Only offer boneless meat. Cooked bones get rather brittle and can break off into jagged bits that are extremely dangerous to swallow.
• Your pet’s diet should include other components besides meat. Even hyper-carnivores ingest other things, via their prey. Along with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, a balanced diet should have the right ratios of fat, protein, and water.

What Vegetables And Fruits Can Dogs Eat?

Fido can also eat some fruits and vegetables. Here is a partial inventory of some of the safe ones:

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

Before you provide your pet any fruits or vegetables, always remove seeds and pips. Some might need to be shredded or sliced into tiny bits.

What Other Foods Can Fido Eat?

You might also find yourself wanting to incorporate dairy into your pet’s diet. Some things that are safe for dogs are cheese, eggs, plain yogurt, and cottage cheese. These should, however, be given in modest doses. Fido would be more than happy to assist you in polishing off that stick of extra sharp cheddar, but avoid overindulging him!

How Do I Pick Good Recipes For My Pet?

You will find lots of recipes for your furry friend online. These are absolutely not one size fits all, though. Stick with those recommended by veterinarians or reliable sources. Although some of the tempting ones created by influencers will appeal to your furry buddy, you should make sure these past muster with your veterinarian. What is appropriate for a St. Bernard will not be appropriate for a Chihuahua! Discuss your pet’s dietary requirements with your Ellicott City, MD veterinarian.

What Human Foods Should Not Be Given To Dogs?

Many foods are harmful to our four-legged friends. Unsafe are garlic, onions, scallions, and chives. Generally speaking, anything with a bulb should be regarded as poisonous for your pet. Other dangerous foods include chocolate; alcohol; pitted fruits; nuts; caffeine; and grapes, currants, or raisins. As discussed above, raw meat, dough, and yeast are also unsafe, as is meat on the bone.

Certain foods are also only safe in small amounts. This group includes organ, meats such as kidney and liver, as discussed above. Foods like cauliflower and broccoli also fit into this group since they could induce gas if offered too often.

Ask your Ellicott City, MD veterinarian for additional particular details on the dietary and care requirements of your pet.

Can I Make Fido’s Dog Treats?

Treats would most likely be at—or at least near—the top of the list of Fido’s favorite things. Not only are they fantastic for bonding, but they also help Fido feel safe and appreciated, help with training, and overall just get that adorable tail going.

There are plenty of recipes to pick from. Each of them begins with some sort of foundation. Among the choices are whole-wheat flour; eggs; liver powder; oatmeal; ripe bananas; pureed pumpkin; olive or wheat germ oil; cheese; and bacon bits. You could alternatively use plain yogurt, minced beef, or sodium-free broth. Although many varieties of baby food are also acceptable, you should read the label to be sure it does not include anything dangerous, such as onions, garlic, or raisins. You can also mix and match and try several combinations. To personalize the food for your pet friend, add tail-waggers like shredded deli meat, bits of kibble, bacon bits, egg, and, of course, cheese. 

Here are a few suggestions: 

Pumpkin Poppers: 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 Nibbles: Combine 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 Biscuits: 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.

Chicken Bites: Mix 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.

You can divide these into small portions using a cookie cutter. You can also roll them into small balls, or just cut them into little squares. If you have a small pet, you can try using a bottlecap to shape them. 

Make An Appointment At Our Ellicott City, MD Pet Clinic

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