Healthy Living

Healthy Pet Food

Humans watch what they eat to stay healthy, but a cat or dog can only watch their food go into a bowl. It’s up to caring pet owners to watch which nutrients their pets are getting from the food they eat.

There are many companies who pride themselves in making pet foods that are high in nutrients to keep pets healthy. For pet owners who want to be more involved in the diet of their pets by making the pet food themselves, the task isn’t that difficult.

Dogs prefer flavors like liver, lamb, beef, fish and cheese. Cats prefer fresh flavors, and they like chicken, liver, fish and turkey. Dogs are able to eat any vegetables, but cats cannot have starchy vegetables, like peas and corn, or onions. Grains, like wheat germ, cooked oatmeal and whole wheat bread, can also be added. For actual dog and cat food recipes, search the Internet or talk to your veterinarian for suggestions. Of course, pet owners should always consult a veterinarian before changing their pet’s diet.

With practice, pet owners will find that making their own pet food is not only healthy for their pets, but it is also inexpensive and fairly easy to do.           

Chicken & Rice for Dogs

Ingredients:

1 cup boiled chicken

½ cup cooked brown rice

½ cup steamed mixed vegetables (carrots, green beans, spinach, potatoes)

4 tablespoons unsalted chicken broth

Boil chicken and add to cooked rice. Steam the vegetables and add the broth, rice and chicken. Simmer for 10 minutes, cool and serve.

Sautéed Liver for Cats

Ingredients:

¼ pound beef liver

½ cup water

1 teaspoon corn oil

Heat the corn oil in a pan. Add the beef liver and fry on both sides until cooked but not dry inside. Add the water to the pan and mix it up with all the brown bits. Grind the liver in a blender with all of the juices from the pan. Cool and serve.