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. 

  

Topical Flower Essence Fly Repellent

    While working in a friend's thoroughbred facility we often incorporated flower essence remedies in the compresses, poultices and cleansing tonics that we used.  One helpful tip that I would like to share is the rinse tonic that helped to repel flies and bites from other such insects.  It was generously applied by clean sponge after brushing (especially after a bath) and allowed to air dry on the horse.

3 liters (approx. 3/4 gal) water

1 litre (approx 1/4 gal)  apple cider vinegar

6 drops Crab Apple flower essence

6 drops Centaury flower essence

Address the Aggressive Horse with Flower Essences

Bach Flower Essences are unable to solve psychological problems if there are significant shortcomings in the way the horse is managed.  Every horse owner should provide the best possible living conditions for their horse - daily contact with other horses, rest, and a balanced diet that takes into account all the nutritional needs of the horse.  If poor living conditions, constant training and/or competitive stress is kept on the horse, these psychological demands can result in physical ailments.

Aggressive behavior towards people is almost always caused by the fact that the horse has been mistreated, poorly managed, from a hidden painful injury, or simply the result of excessive demands placed on her/him.  In order to successfully treat a horse it is essential to establish the cause of its behavior and then improve the situation.  If a horse has been rescued, or has had several owners, this process may seem fruitless. Nevertheless, do your best to uncover the possible root of the behavior and take appropriate action.  In some cases you may need to take a step back from your current training and handling approach in order to regain the horse's trust using calmness and understanding.  An owner, handler and rider who treats their horse compassionately and learns its unique body language, will provide the horse with the stability and security it needs to accept its surroundings, owner's lead, and thus engage in learning and flourishing.

To support this process, Bach researchers and animal behaviorists recommend the following:

Beech - to increase tolerance and combat aggression

Cherry Plum - to combat inner tension and restlessness

Star of Bethlehem - to deal with physical and psychological shock

Vine - to promote compliance within the horse and combat excessive dominance

In the case that the horse is acting aggressively towards other horses it lives with the addition of, Holly, to the above blend is highly encouraged.

Cats and Dogs need Veggies

   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!