Why not share your holiday leftovers with your furry babies? From the list of approved ingredients below, you can mix an match and customize a safe and healthy meal for your favorite dogs.
Cooked or raw veggies: Red Pepper, Green Pepper, Corn, Zucchini, BroccolI, Cauliflower, and/or Carrots. Chopped finely.
Cooked protein: Ham, Turkey, and/or Pork. Chopped into small bite sized pieces.
Baked Potato and/or Sweet Potato. Chopped finely.
Cup of unsalted chicken broth or stock.
2 TBSN Fresh herbs: Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Basil and/or Thyme.
Medium Large mixing bowl or food processor, mixing spoon, measuring cup, measuring spoons,
Prep: 10 min
1. Chop all desired vegetables, cooked potatoes, and/or proteins from the list above. If necessary, add them to a food processor to chop thoroughly into small pieces.
2. In a mixing bowl, add chicken broth and fresh herbs. Stir to mix thoroughly.
3. Serve to your favorite dog(s).
These ingredients are HEALTHY for your dogs (Note some foods are only good in moderation or have specific considerations.)
Culinary herbs like Basil, Oregano, and Parsley, are safe for dogs. In fact, they are powerful antioxidants and rich in vitamins as well. You can definitely sprinkle some of these herbs on your dog's food on a regular basis so your dog can benefit from their nutritive and antioxidative properties.
Bell Peppers. All colors can safely be fed to your pooch, though red peppers are best. Red bell peppers are ripened, offering added nutrients.Another low-calorie vegetable, bell peppers are kind to your pup's waistline. Peppers should be served plain, without any added salt, oil, or seasoning. Bell peppers offer anti-inflammatory benefits, and red peppers have high levels of beta-carotene and vitamins A and C.
Broccoli, chopped. It is high in fiber and vitamin C and low in fat. However, Broccoli florets contain isothiocyanates, which can cause mild-to-potentially-severe gastric irritation in some dogs. Furthermore, broccoli stalks have been known to cause obstruction in the esophagus so be sure to chop it up finely.
Carrots. Carrots are an excellent low-calorie snack that is high in fiber and beta-carotene, which produces vitamin A. Plus, crunching on this orange veggie is great for your dog’s teeth.
Chicken broth, unsalted. Adding a little bit of chicken broth to your dog's food or water can help get him to eat or drink if he's being picky. It is also a great way to help hydrate your dog if he is sick and refusing to drink. Just be sure to use unsalted broth.
Corn. Corn is one of the most common ingredients in most dog foods. However, the cob can be hard for a dog to digest and may cause an intestinal blockage, so if you’re sharing some corn, make sure it is off the cob.
Green beans, unsalted. Chopped, steamed, raw, or canned –- all types of green beans are safe for dogs to eat. Green beans are full of important vitamins and minerals and they’re also full of fiber and low in calories. Select beans that have no added salt.
Ham. OK for dogs to eat, but certainly isn’t the healthiest for them. Ham is high in sodium and fat, so while sharing a small piece is alright, it shouldn’t be a continuous habit.
Pork. A highly digestible protein, packed with amino acids, and it contains more calories per pound than other meats. Pork also may be less likely to cause an allergic reaction in some pets compared to other meat.
Potatoes, cooked. It’s fine to give your dog plain potatoes every once and a while, but only if they’re cooked, as raw potatoes can be rough on the stomach. A washed, peeled, plain boiled, or baked potato contains lots of iron for your dog. Avoid mashed potatoes because they often contain butter, milk, or seasonings
Pumpkin, canned. Good source of fiber as well as beta-carotene/vitamin A. It can help keep the GI tract moving and can aid with digestive issues.
Sweet Potatoes, cooked. Packed with nutrients, including fiber, beta carotene, and vitamins B-6 and C. Just like with regular potatoes, only give your dog washed, peeled, cooked, and unseasoned sweet potatoes that have cooled down, and definitely avoid sugary sweet potato pies and casseroles.
Turkey. OK for dogs as long as it is not covered in garlic (which can be very toxic to dogs) and seasonings. Also be sure to remove excess fat and skin from the meat and don’t forget to check for bones; poultry bones can splinter during digestion, causing blockage or even tears in the intestines.
Zucchini. This veggie ranks high on the list of the greens dogs eat. With many vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, zucchini is a low-calorie, healthy choice for your pooch.But like any fruit or vegetable, zucchini must be prepared properly and served in small quantities to avoid overindulgence. When offering zucchini to your dog, you should cut into bite-size pieces and steam them for easy digestion.
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