Like me, my fellow Pacific NW gardeners have most likely been making the most out of our recent weather and tackling projects and preparing spaces for a glorious growing season. While you plan your garden's layout and contents, keep your pets' nutritional needs in mind. Plant some extra carrots, green beans, cucumbers, and sweet potatoes (for example) for supplementing your pet's diet or feeding as healthy treats.
For optimum health, holistic veterinarians suggest a cat's diet be made up of 60% meat and 40% vegetables, this balances their digestive tract and helps them find and maintain their ideal weight. A dog's diet is best composed of 40% meat, 50% vegetables and 10% whole grains or other carbohydrates. (Of course, this formula will vary depending upon your pet's activity level and immediate health needs.)
Root vegetables are an integral part of our pets' diets as they have remarkable healing properties. As a holistic health practitioner, I maintain that root vegetables provide stabilizing energy that focuses the brain and strengthens the will. Because these plants are rich in minerals, vitamins and other important nutrients, they top the list of vegetables recommended in the treatment of cancers.
Carrots contain high amounts of the antioxidant known as beta-carotene and according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, their essential oil kills parasites and unhealthy intestinal bacteria. This root vegetable is filled with silicon which helps the body metabolize calcium and strengthens connective tissue Carrots are good for the eyes, ears, skin and lungs.
Yams are a cousin of sweet potatoes and rich in Vitamin A. They are good for providing energy, reducing inflammation, supporting and nourish the kidneys, spleen and pancreas and they also assist with the removal of toxins.
Sweet potatoes, especially with the skin, are very nutritious. They are packed with Vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, niacin, thiamine, complex carbohydrates and fiber. They keep the kidneys, stomach and intestines in harmony because the carbohydrates they contain are already in the form of simple sugars.
Squash (including pumpkin) is another rich source of Vitamin A, it improves circulation and its seeds help destroy parasitic worms.Pumpkin is also used in pets with diarrhea and helps to balance the pancreas. It's support of this organ makes it an important dietary addition for pets with diabetes or hypoglycemia.
Celery aids digestion and has cooling properties that help with inflammation, liver health, and urinary tract infections. Thanks to its high silicon content, celery is good for bones, joints and connective tissues. Eastern and Western medical diets strongly recommend celery for high blood pressure and as a gentle diuretic.
Green beans contain other vitamins (including C), minerals and dietary fiber. They offer great support to the spleen, pancreas and the kidneys.Peas are full of folic acid, thiamine, niacin, iron, zinc and protein. They are important to digestion and reduce vomiting, hiccups, gas and coughing.
Parsley is a fantastic topper for any pet meal. It is a good source of Vitamin C, and also contains Vitamin A, calcium, magnesium and iron. It is good for teeth and fights bad breath. Parsley also strengthens optic and brain nerves, supports the adrenal glands and aids the proper function of the gallbladder and kidneys. I recommend 1/2 finely chopped teaspoon for cats and small dogs, 1 teaspoon for medium size dogs and 2 teaspoons for large dogs - per day.
Other common garden veggies that your pet (especially dogs) may like and which are good for their systems include: broccoli, finely grated beets (Do not become alarmed if their urine or stool turns pink!), cauliflower, white or yellow potatoes, lettuce, and green, red, orange, or yellow peppers.
Our pets, like ourselves, thrive on food grown, harvested and prepared with love and care. Let us do all we can to nourish and enrich their lives in reciprocation for the enrichment and joy they bring into ours. Happy gardening!
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