Celebrating National Cook for Your Pet Day
Grab your calendar; November 1st is National Cook for Your Dog day! Start your November right with a dedicated day to give our pets a break from boring kibble and craft a fancy balanced meal instead. Switching up your routine with special treats adds excitement to more mundane tasks, like pouring a scoop of kibble.
Why Cook for My Dog?
Our dogs love to hang out in the kitchen and watch us make our meals, so why not involve them in theirs? Cooking can be a fun bonding experience while showing the furry friends what they’re missing from the floor. The best advantages of cooking for your fur baby are that it can appease picky eaters or help with food sensitivities while actively managing what your dog is consuming. On the other hand, according to the AKC, cooking for pets can be challenging because they have different nutritional needs than humans, and many human foods are considered toxic. Keep scrolling for a list of not-pet-safe ingredients to avoid.
Balanced Dog Diets
Experts recommend pet food requires protein, fat, carbohydrates, fiber, and vitamins/minerals. A helpful tool is BalanceIT.com, developed by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist, to ensure their meals have at least one of each! This website helps pet parents learn about dog diets and how to cook correctly for their furry friends.
Pet parents should avoid processed foods because of dog-toxic additives when shopping for ingredients. Dogs need natural or organic fruits, veggies, and meat for their vast vitamins and minerals; otherwise, you could end up harming their digestive system. The best ingredients source is your veterinarian; ask about cooking for your dog and what they suggest at the next visit.
Unsafe Ingredients for Dogs
Pets digest food differently than humans, so naturally, your pup might react to dog-safe foods too. It’s essential to monitor your pet’s digestive and overall health after eating unfamiliar foods. Below is a list of the most common toxic food items for dogs to consume.
- Chocolate
- Xylitol
- Avocado
- Grapes or raisins
- Onions
- Garlic
- Macadamia Nuts
- Cherries
- Tomatoes
- Asparagus
- Mushrooms