Cooking for Furchildren

When Dolly was a baby pup. I had a hard time finding a puppy food that her stomach would take. Each time I had taken her to a vet I was confronted with no real answers at all.

Recommended foods were either still capable of turning her stomach or just not passing her lips at all. On the rare occasion I found one that she could eat or would eat. Soon it would react on her to. Not sure when it was I began reading labels so closely.

What I found was the ingredients changed on one dog food I was feeding her with some success. Additions of some chemical preservatives or other things. Things I found in ingredient list of other foods she couldn't eat.

That is when my research really began. And I found that even though some food additives that were banned for human consumption,were still being used in pet products.

Even though some things are quite similar in the nutritional requirements between humans and pups. And yes there are a few differences. Poisons are poisons to humans as well as most animal life.

When Dolly was about two an a half she began having seizures.There needs to be testing to rule out other causes for seizures instead of just saying Epilepsy. I tried to explain a few fears I had to the vet. Like her eating habits might not be K9 nutritionally complete. And since epilepsy can be a misdiagnosis for seizures. Because there are other causes for seizures.

An since I knew from years of reading up. Because of the diagnosis of a epileptic human sister. I knew diet,medication and chemicals all react together to increase or decrease frequency of seizures. Even when epilepsy is diagnosed because of a neurological injury.

All I was told by that vet was stop feeding her table scraps,feed her dog food!! No need to waste money testing,she is epileptic get use to it. If it becomes cluster seizures we can medicate her!

Now vet~less cause of apparent stupidity on his part.

My problem was we had gone through every dog food on the market those first two and a half years. Real food was what had kept her alive but I had my doubts it was keeping her healthy.

And I had watched epilepsy an the medications that my sister took slowly deplete her mind an body. So I had to find a way if nothing else to lesson Dolly's seizures without medications.

And if we are diligent in our watching what she eats Dolly rarely has one today.

When I began studying up on health I took a real good look at nutritional requirements. Of Dogs And Cats. And even Humans. Nutrition is very important to good health no matter the species our kids are!

I grew up with dogs in my life since I was born,I can not remember a childhood day without one in it. These creatures are the greatest and most quizzical of friends to share your life and your snacks with! And I never thought twice at sharing my fries my candy or my ice cream with them. In moderation of course,cause a kid has to eat to,and they did have their Purina!

Never had a dog till Festus that was a severe chocoholic. And candy fiend. If it was not guarded or put up high this chihuahua would find it! Part pack rat an dachshund besides he was a curious quick witted, creature.

Well after two years of denying my children gum. Because of all the places,under couch cushions and in the rug,that I found it. I found his stash,and began keeping an even closer eye on him!!

And after the mothers day he stole a 4 pound box of chocolates from my mother. Ate all but the three pieces she ate and the two pieces he left in the box! No one would have convinced me chocolate would kill by poisoning outright any dog that consumed just one tiny piece! All chocolate did to him was make him smile a big toothless grin. And he lived for 16 years with us,snitching chocolate candy an gum! Died at the ripe old toothless age of approximately 22. He was toothless when I got him,love at first sight it was,for both of us. Though I never did think sugar decay at first sight! Now days I'm sure I know better. :)

Then Dolly came into my life. And I found what one dog eats and lives happily onward with is totally different dog to dog!! Cause even dog food reacted with her in ways it ain't suppose to!

When I began looking into allergies and things that can cause reaction and problems for dogs when they consume them.

I read up on Chocolate~ theobromine an caffeine are the contents in chocolate that can affect some dogs. Some folks will say chocolate kills all dogs!! But it is a fact it does not. It depends on the amount of the chocolate. Theobromine an caffeine builds up in a dogs body and can after so much is consumed cause a reaction in some dogs it can cause seizures an in some cases death.

MSG's an preservatives also are some other things that can build up to toxic levels in our furbabies,babies and even ourselves!

Other things dogs can be allergic too. And cats to believe it or not.



Milk~ I was surprised to read up that cats more often then dogs,but dogs also can be allergic to milk. Lactose intolerant they named it for humans! Humans get gas upset stomach diarrhea and it can even cause ear infections in furless children. Can do the same to your dog or cat.

Fish~ Not only for the mercury content just like yourself or your child mercury and allergies to fish can affect your furbabie! Even cats.

I found a lot of my research a bit odd. I mean get a new kitten and the first thing we reach for if we not yet bought kitten food. Is the fish or a bowl of milk. And its really not a good idea,till they are older and you are sure it has no adverse affects on them. Even just Diarrhea in a young kitten or puppy or furless child,can cause dehydration fast. Dehydration kills.

If you buy canned cat food it can be in varieties of flavors. Watch for signs of allergic reaction when it comes to the can of tuna. Or chicken an salmon mix.

Some smart cats might realize it for themselves and sooner or later refuse to eat fish flavors. Some of mine did!! I thought I just had weird cats back then. Cats that did not like fish. Till I started my research!

So you see there Can be other reasons why your furchild is a fussy eater! They are intelligent creatures. And can sometimes know what makes them sick.

I do most of my research in the Merck medical manuals and you can find an online version and read up yourself. I also bought a book called Small Animal Clinical Nutrition to have some of the info at my finger tips in hard copy.

Odd or not our children furry or not furry can be allergic to almost anything. Some can be allergic to some things more so then others. Some it causes rash to some it causes more serious allergic reactions.

Like peanuts~ Basically anything you or a child can be allergic to so can your furbabie be allergic to!

Some fruits and vegetables and even some meats can cause allergies. To some people as well as some furbabies.

We need to know what to look out for.

Just like yourself or your furless child,if you begin cooking for your furchild. You need to start small with all new foods. When we consume something new sometimes our body reacts with a slight case of diarrhea. The second time we eat it all is well. Hopefully.

But if that diarrhea turns chronic,last for more then one or two attempts to relieve yourself or is combined with upset stomach ,rash or hives. And worse yet swelling and seizures,these are degrees of an allergic reaction. Furless or furry children every Mom needs to know this.

And just like a human baby,our furbabies have a hard time communicating these things to us. So we must be very observant with our kids as we decide to delve into all the new foods we are feeding them.

Potatoes~ Some folks seem to think potatoes are bad for your pups. This is not totally true.

GREEN POTATOES on the other hand. Those potatoes that that have a green color to them. I was always told they were above ground and in the sun.
They taste nasty if you ever bit into one That has always been reason enough for me not to eat or serve them!

They contain toxins,glycoalkaloids In high levels caused by that being in the sun and green potatoes need to be avoided.They are not only poisonous to dogs but humans as well.

In small quantities they cause a severe gastric upset,stomach ache. In larger quantities Green potatoes can affect nervous system. Causing weakness confusion and in some cases death.

New potatoes or baby potatoes i was always told not to feed to babies cause of a certain higher toxicity. For that same reasons i do not feed new potatoes to my furchildren. Furbabies are always a baby.

But a 'good' old potato on occasion cooked in stew or mashed as a side dish,or a few fries as a snack won't hurt your puppy skin on or off! The trick is incorporating it into their diet,and if they like potato's.

Most dogs i found do like them. Use to have one little furman i had to guard them from. He would steal a raw tator if given a chance. Then he would peel it and eat it. Till he found out i would give him a piece after i peeled it. If he was a patient good boy!

Garlic~ This is something some dog food company's are adding to their foods. Has been known for ages to cause a reaction in the skin cells to ward off fleas. Yet some will tell you it is deadly to dogs.

Even with Dolly and all the foods I have weeded out her diet for allergy or upset tummy sake...a tiny sprinkle for flavor and flea control is OK. Occasionally!

It is garlic in very large quantities fed often that can add up to enough toxic levels to be harmful.

But when it comes to any spice it all calls for moderation Especially those that have been known to stomach upsets for ages.

Upset stomachs and gas are easier to contend with for humans. Dogs stomachs are tougher in some ways. Yet more delicate in some ways. Ya see,Most dogs can't fart or burp!

With lots of things our size has a lot to do with how much we can consume of certain things,before it ends up affecting us,In a good or bad way. Most pups never reach 150 pounds like some humans!

Besides those,that in excess,compound or collect the toxins in a furbabie. Besides the individual allergies or reactions by furryperson in question.Besides those foods I already mentioned. There are more foods that can do harm. Avocados,macadamia nuts,grapes,onions,soda pop are listed in Merck Manuel.

One might assume soda for it caffeine content but that is not the only ingredient. Or the most dangerous one to cause trouble. In Diet Soda it is the artificial sweetener more so then the caffeine.

We don't stop to think sometimes that our diet yogurt,we like so much could hurt. We hear yougurt is good for babies. But imitation sugars can kill our babies,furry or furless! Cut back on sugars but never feed babies diet food.

Foods are not the only dangers though. Pups will eat nearly anything. Your furniture you just polished. To your makeup an perfume,take a look at the long list.

Inhaled perfumes and cleaners can cause furchildren allergies to along with seasonal allergies too. These can sometimes cause sneezing,watery eyes or breathing difficulty's. Even in our furbabies.

Photo compliments of:Public Domain Images

Dolly's Neaty Meaty Yummy Yum's!

Meat of your choice or your furbabies favorite meat

About two pounds cut in strips.

The meat can be marinaded
Or cook it plain your choice.

The marinade i use~
4 Tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinigar
1/4 cup water
An a sprinkle of garlic and Termeric

Wisk together and pore over meat in Ziploc baggy!
Marinade for about 20 minutes up to one hour in a zip lock bag in fridge.
Turn shake mix or otherwise redistribute the mix every few minutes during the time in the fridge

Cut into thin strips lay,not touching,across a metal oven safe cookie cooling rack. This is so the fat and grease falls to the sheet pan. And the meat will dry to a crisp jerky style treat. {Even Hubby's love this treat!}

Place cooling rack on cookie sheet.

Place in oven. bake at 350 degree oven till done approximately 15-20 minutes.Keep an eye on it.

I never really counted the time. I have a furry timer that stares at me during the ritual of chopping and placing the meat in the oven. That the timer goes off, barks when the time is up. And all is done to her perfection.

This is just a snack food or as Dolly and he Daddy says Appetizers! I have a website called nutrition data,where i input my recipes to see if they are completing any of the furbabie nutritional requirements.

Depends on the type of meat you use for this snack what the detailed content of vitamins an minerals and protein is.