November 1st is Cook For Your Pet Day! It’s also National Vinegar Day, but we’ll stick to cooking for pets, which is definitely more in our wheelhouse. An Ellicott City, MD vet discusses cooking for Fido and Fluffy below.

Yay or Nay?

There are both pros and cons to cooking for your four-legged friend. On the plus side, you can customize your pet’s food to suit their specific taste and/or nutritional needs. However, it will cost more, and will take more time.

Main Ingredients

Dogs and cats are both carnivores, so their diets should be meat-based. Fluffy and Fido can get very sick if they aren’t getting enough meat! Cooked beef, steak, chicken, salmon, hamburger, turkey, duck, and other types of meat, fish, and poultry are all fine. Just hold the seasonings and remove the skin, bones, and fat. Also, you’ll want to limit your pet’s intake of organ meats, such as liver. These are fine in small doses, but shouldn’t be offered too frequently.

Add-Ons

Although meat should make up the bulk of your pet’s diet, you can add other ingredients as well. Eggs, cheese, sodium-free broth, wheat germ oil, and/or cooked rice are all fine. You can also include safe fruits and veggies, such as cooked peas, carrots, spinach, beans, squash, or pumpkin. Always research a new ingredient before giving it to your dog or cat, to make sure it’s safe.

Creating A Balanced Diet

Every pet is a bit different, and they all have unique dietary needs. While you’ll find lots of recipes online, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are all going to be suitable—or even safe—for your furry friend. This is definitely one area where it’s best to err on the side of caution. Ask your vet to offer some specific advice, including tips on percentages of protein, fat, and other essential nutrients.

Dangerous Foods

Many people foods are toxic to our animal companions. Some can cause serious—and potentially life-threatening—organ damage in even tiny doses. Some of the things on the dangerous foods list include garlic, onions, scallions, and chives; pitted fruits, especially avocado; chocolate; caffeine; mushrooms; alcohol; xylitol; raw dough or yeast; and grapes, currants, and raisins. Ask your vet for more information.

Please call us, your Ellicott City, MD vet clinic, with any questions about your pet’s diet or care needs. We’re here to help!