Festive Feasts
This holiday season, instead of piling your pet’s food bowl high with table scraps and bones, which can be hazardous to their health, try whipping up these smart, seasonal dishes, from the vet experts at Petplan.
Remember, moderation is key. Treats should make up less than 5-10% of your pet’s caloric intake – talk to your vet about how many calories your pet should be consuming to stay trim given their breed, level of activity and life stage.
Paws-atively Peanuty Crudité
Baby CarrotsApple slicesCelery sticks (no longer than 4 inches)Natural unsalted creamy peanut butterWith a spoon or butter knife, spread a small amount of peanut butter onto each baby carrot, apple slice and along the inside surface of the celery and then arrange on a small plate. Give one carrot, one apple slice and one stick of celery to each pet.
Turkey Pie
3.5 cups cooked (unseasoned) chopped white turkey meat
1 cup chopped raw broccoli½ cup chopped apples
1½ cups cooked millet
1T kelp powderRinse the turkey break with cold water and pat dry.Wrap the breast with aluminum foil, folding the edges to seal in moisture. Place in a baking pan. Roast at 350 degrees for 20 minutes per pound.Open the aluminum foil, being careful not to burn yourself on the escaping steam. Chop once cooled.Combine broccoli and apples in blender or food processor and blend until minced.In bowl, combine vegetable mix with turkey, millet and kelp powder and mix thoroughly.Divide into portions appropriate for your pet’s caloric intake.Makes 6 ½ cups (163.5 calories per cup).Recipe from Dr. Ernie Ward’s Chow Hounds: Why Our Dogs are Getting Fatter - a Vet's Plan to Save Their Lives (2010 HCI).
Sweet Potato Cookies
1 large cooked sweet potato1 banana1 T vegetable oil½ cup quinoa flourPreheat oven to 350. In a medium bowl, mash together the banana and sweet potato until well blended. Add the vegetable oil, then add the flour to the wet mixture until well blended.Place one teaspoon of dough on a nonstick baking sheet and lightly flatten. Repeat for all dough.Bake 30 minutes.Makes 4 dozen cookies, each with 14-15 cal.Recipe from Dr. Ernie Ward’s Chow Hounds: Why Our Dogs are Getting Fatter - a Vet's Plan to Save Their Lives (2010 HCI).