A Simple and Nutritious Recipe for Dogs

I came across this recipe by Lucy Postins (founder of The Honest Kitchen) and appreciate its simplicity while maintaining the nutritional support our K9 friends need.

Chicken with Yam and Coconut Milk Puree

2 lbs yams - peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes

6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 can coconut milk

4 large boneless chicken breasts

Preheat the oven to 375 (F), and lightly oil a baking dish with olive oil.  Add the cubed yams to the baking dish and shake gently to coat them with the olive oil.  Roast the yams in the oven for 40 minutes, stirring and turning after 20 minutes or so until edges are slightly crisp.  Remove from the oven and blend the yams and coconut milk in a food processor until the desire consistency is reached - it should be thick and hearty.

Cut up the chicken breasts into appropriate size pieces for your pet and saute in a pan.  Mix the diced chicken with the yam and coconut puree.

Water Safety

Recently, I came across a pet related statistic that surprised and alarmed me.  In the United States, over 3,500 dogs per year die from accidental drowning in pools, lakes, rivers and oceans.  Pet owners should be mindful of the dangers involved in swimming and boating for their pets.  Even the strongest swimmer can become injured, fatigued or swept away by strong currents and fast moving water.

Canine Life Preservers can aid dogs several ways.  The buoyancy of a good life jacket can minimize fatigue on extended play sessions, allowing you and your dog to enjoy water activities longer. Brightly colored life vests improve the visibility of your dog for boaters, jet-skiers and those being towed behind water vehicles.  In the case of extreme fatigue, strong currents or a blow to the head, a well made life vest can keep your pet afloat and strong handles can aid you in rescuing him or her from the water.

When choosing a life jacket for your dog, remember that a bright color, not usually seen in nature, is your best bet.  Blue, white, and some greens should be avoided.  Red, yellow, orange, and some neon colors are easily spotted from a distance and against the usual outdoor landscape.  Also, it is a very wise act to photograph your pet wearing the jacket.  If an accident occurs, this photo may be a valuable asset in their identification, rescue and return.

My personal favorites are listed below and were chosen based on personal use, customer reviews and durability.  While shopping for your pet's flotation device, think about the kind of activity it will participate in near (or in) the water and how often you will have them in that situation.  Take the time to prepare for your water-based vacation or activities to ensure a safe and happy experience.

K-9 Float Coat by Ruffwear 

Henry & Clemmies canine flotation

EZYdog Personal Flotation

Paws Aboard

Kyjen by Outward Hound

Water safety isn't just for our K9 companions - remember to keep your lake and boat cats safe too!

Quick DIY Meal for Cats

Here's a simple, 1 - 2 portion, recipe for a special meal for your favorite feline.

No cooking required, however, if you prefer to lightly cook this meal, simply brown the meat and veggie mix in a small pan, add cottage cheese prior to serving.  Allow to cool to room temperature before serving.

4 - 6 ounces of ground meat (beef or poultry)
1 Tablespoon ground carrot
1 Tablespoon cottage cheese
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1/4 Teaspoon kelp powder (optional)

Combine and food process all ingredients - cats need vegetables to be ground for optimal digestion

Yes, I feed my dogs grains.

    That stated, I do not feed my dogs corn based, grain-filled, over-processed commercial kibble. I cook for them. Stews, loafs, meatballs and gravies that are lovingly prepared are added to each meal. The active breeds in my household handle the carbs from grains well and I vary and mix the types of grains depending upon factors like their health, specific physical activity requirements and even seasonal weather.   Whole grains only make up 10% (or less) of any K9 friendly recipe that I prepare.     When fed appropriately and not over-used, whole grains are a cost effective way to include necessary minerals, proteins and long term energy storage in your dogs' diet.  When one type of grain is combined with others, the biological effectiveness of its protein is greatly enhanced because the balance of amino acids is more complete. Cats, however, do not digest grains well; they tend to make a cat's urine more alkaline and therefore can, over prolonged time, cause feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD).
    Many of us agree that corn, wheat and soy may cause allergic conditions of the skin and coat. The overfeeding of grains (and their high presence in many dry kibble brands) may be a factor in canine obesity which brings on a host of other health conditions including diabetes, hypoglycemia, poor dental health and gastro-intestinal upset.  Diabetic dogs should not be fed grains.
    For those of you who currently cook for your dog, and those wanting to give it a try, here are some basic grain facts.  Please remember to take your dog's health and nutritional needs into consideration, and if you are uncertain consult a small animal nutritionist.
    Oatmeal, barley, quinoa, millet and brown rice are quite acceptable grain choices to incorporate into a dog's diet.  Any grain used should be in whole form (from organic sources when possible) so that it contains the highest amounts of fiber, vitamins and minerals.

    Rolled Oats are highly nutritious and packed soluble fiber which is a proven cholesterol fighter.

Barley is high in fiber and easily digestible.

Millet is among the least allergenic of the grains and easily digestible.  It has a warming effect on the system and therefore beneficial to a dog's body on cold, rainy or snowy days.

Quinoa is a complete protein and a superb source of B vitamins and magnesium.

Brown Rice has a flavor most dogs enjoy and is a good addition to the food you make for your pup.  Be careful to not feed too much, as this grain can quickly have your pooch pack on extra pounds.