Your pet is a hunter. Mine too. It’s hard to believe, I know, looking at my pet cat, Tig, lying on a pile of cushions watching a fly land on the wall with disinterest. Tig’s only experience with chasing things extends to laser pointers and remote control mice—and admittedly she’s a little afraid of the remote control mouse. Although she has been known to swat at my legs from her hidden nook under the stairs, my cat has no real hunting experience. But, it is there. Cats and dogs, even the most pampered, bow-wearing of the lot, are carnivores. They are related to the wildest of wolves and the fiercest of lions, although I think Tig’s lineage must be very distant. And, while canned food and its dry equivalent do provide all the vitamins and minerals your pet requires to be healthy and strong, they may not provide him with all the excitement their carnivorous self craves. You could survive solely on Protein bars and tofu, but what about the cheeseburgers, the candy bars, and the thick chocolate milkshakes? Sure, we could definitely live without them, but would you really want to live on cereal and the occasional can of something mushy, but nutritious? Maybe you cat or dog feels the same way!
Your pet needs a balanced diet. He can’t eat tuna treats and liver pop-ups every day, but he also may want a break from the monotony of kibbles and cans. Cats especially like a culinary change of pace every now and again. And, for pets that are deprived of the thrill of the hunt (either because of their own apathy—like Tig—or for reasons of safety), the next best thing to a nice, fat rabbit or mouse is a warm plate of chicken and rice. Dogs and cats, in their wild little hearts, appreciate the taste of meat, cheese, and milk. Cooking for your pet can provide a little taste of the wild for him and a bit of enjoyment for you. Cooking is fun! It will bring you closer to your pet and to your own creative side. Feel free to experiment. Throw in a dash of thyme, go crazy with the catmint, and every dog loves bacon bits! You’ll enjoy your pet cookery and your pet will thank you with a lick of their lips and a nod toward their empty bowl.
As a cautionary, pets with health problems or compromised immune systems should avoid raw eggs and under-cooked meats. If your pet has digestive problems or allergies, you should check with your vet before you prepare any food for him, just as you would check before starting your pet on a new brand of dry or canned food. Cats are prone to some food allergies and toxins to which dogs are immune, and vice-versa. Make sure you consult with your vet or check with ASPCA’s online website listing dog and cat toxins before adding any unlisted ingredients to your pet’s diet. I’ve listed a few foods below that you should never add to your pet’s food, but even tuna and catnip in excess can cause problems in cats. As with humans, too much of a good thing is possible!
Remember, for your pet, smell and texture are very important parts of a meal. The stronger the smell and the chunkier the texture the better. Your pet will also prefer their treats served warm (in most cases), but not hot (between 77-104 degrees). Also, be aware that many cats are lactose intolerant. If your cat suffers from this problem, you may want to use goat or sheep milk (available in most health food sections of your local grocery store) which are less harsh on a kitty’s sensitive tummy. Again, if you have concerns about your pet’s particular food allergies, consult your vet before firing up your oven. I hope you and your pet enjoy these recipes. My cats and dogs have munched many a Peanutbutter Dog Biscuit and Cat Crunchy Chip Cookie. So fire up your oven, get out your best pots and pans, and create some tasty treats for your furry friends! Give your pet a valentine that really comes from the heart this year. Bone Appetit!
Never Additives – These ingredients should never be added to your pet’s food.
- Onions, Onion Powder, Chives
- Chocolate, Cocoa
- Sugar, Honey, Sorghum
- Sage
- Raw Fish
- Grapes, Raisins
- Mushrooms
- Coffee
- Nutmeg
- Peaches, Apples, Cherries (Pits)
- Avocado
- Poppy Seeds
- Rosemary
- St. John’s Wort
- Taro Root
- Tomato
- Walnut, Almond (Plant stems, leaves, flowers, hulls)
- Alcohol
- Fig
- Tea
Lady’s Peanutbutter Dog Biscuits:
- 1 c. whole wheat flour
- ½ tsp. Baking powder
- ½ c. chunky peanut butter
- ½ c. milk
- ½ c. oats
- ¼ c. bacon crumbles or crumbled dog treats
Preheat your oven to 350. Combine flour, baking powder, milk, oats, and crumbles. Work in peanut butter slowly. Roll into balls place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten with a fork. Bake 15-20 minutes. Mmmm. . .a treat for any hungry pooch!
Granny Whiskers’ Cat Crunchy Chip Cookies:
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 tsp. Catnip
- 1 egg
- 1/3 c. milk
- 2 tbsp. Butter (softened)
- ¼ cup crunchy cat food
Preheat your oven to 350. Mix dry ingredients and stir in egg, butter, milk, and crunchy catfood. Once thoroughly mixed, scoop up teaspoon size dollops and drop on an ungreased baking sheet. Flatten with a fork and bake 15-20 minutes. These can be stored in an airtight container 1-2 weeks or frozen. Serves several treat-crazy cats!
Frisky Cat’s Salmon Oatballs:
- 1 small can of salmon
- ¼ c. oats (cooked)
- ½ c. pumpkin/squash (cooked)
- ¼ c. vegetable or safflower oil
Heat salmon in a skillet with oil until warm (not hot) and pliable. Mix in cooked oats and pumpkin. Let cool slightly and roll into balls. Add oatmeal as needed to get the balls to hold form.
Place balls on an ungreased baking sheet and cook at 350 for 5-10 minutes. Cool and serve.
**Pumpkin & squash are good sources of fiber and water. Most cats enjoy the taste of pumpkin, but for those that don’t a little salmon does a lot to change their minds!
Doggie Liver Pop-Ups:
- ½ lb. Liver, chicken, tuna (processed or minced)
- ¾ c. cornmeal
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp. Cod-liver oil/fish oil
- Optional bacon crumbles
Preheat your oven to 400. In a medium mixing bowl, combine meal, egg, and meat using a blender on low or a spoon. Stir in fish oil and crumbles if desired. Pour into greased muffin tins and bake 20-30 minutes. Test for done-ness with a knife or toothpick.
**Fish oil is great for pets with dandruff or eczema. For a kitty variation, use tuna or chicken and replace catnip for the bacon crumbles.
