November 1st is Cook For Your Pet Day! Many people enjoy making their furry pals homemade treats. Of course, Fido and Fluffy are also pretty good at getting us to share our food. But what about cooking your pet’s regular meals? Is that a do or a don’t? Read on as a McHenry, IL vet offers some tips on cooking for your four-legged friend.
Check With Your Vet
First and foremost, be sure to check with your vet before you start cooking for your pet. Pet nutrition is definitely not one-size fits all! All of our furry patients are unique, with their own specific nutritional needs. A young lapdog will need a vastly different diet than an older St. Bernard. It’s important to fully understand your pet’s specific nutritional needs, especially if your pet needs to lose weight. For more guidance, read our article on Helping Your Pudgy Pet Slim Down.
Do Some Research
You can find lots of simple pet food recipes online. Many of these only contain a few ingredients, like beef, chicken, and rice. These ingredients are fine, but they really don’t constitute a proper diet in and of themselves. Fido and Fluffy need specific vitamins and minerals to round out their menu. As mentioned above, it’s crucial to check with your vet. You’ll also want to some research into pet nutrition, and get a better grasp of what your furry friend truly needs to stay healthy.
Customize The Food
One of the benefits of cooking for your four-legged friend is that you will be able to customize the food to suit Fido and/or Fluffy’s taste and requirements. This can be very helpful for people whose pets have food allergies!
Avoid Unsafe Ingredients
Make sure to stick to ingredients that are safe for your furry buddy. Cooked, plain boneless meat, chicken, or fish is fine. You can also include cooked egg, cheese, rice, spinach, peas, pureed pumpkin, cheese, liver powder, olive oil, and wheat-germ oil. Never give your pet chocolate; nuts; pitted fruits, especially avocado; garlic, onions, or chives; alcohol; grapes, currants, or raisins; or anything that contains xylitol. Meat on the bone is also unsafe, as are raw dough, meat, and yeast. If you aren’t sure if something is okay for your pet to eat or not, check with your vet.
Do you have questions about your pet’s diet? Please contact us, your McHenry, IL vet clinic, for all your pet’s veterinary care needs. We’re always here to help, offering comprehensive vet nutrition & weight management services to ensure your pet is not only eating right but also maintaining a healthy weight.