Cooking Vegetables For Your Dog

July 19, 2014 by · Leave a Comment 

While certain vegetables such as carrots can be served raw to your dog, most vegetables can benefit from some form of cooking to make them more digestible (softens the fibrous parts) and enhances flavour.

 

The best cooking method is to steam as it minimizes nutrients from leaching into the water. Plus, there is a slimmer chance of overcooking the vegetables, which may further destroy some of the nutrients. When cooked, cut into small pieces and serve at room temperature.

 

Baking or roasting would be another good cooking method, especially for pumpkins or sweet potatoes. You can also dehydrate thinly sliced vegetable strips using the oven (on low heat for several hours) to create your own dried food treat.

 

Vegetables can be a low-calorie snack packed with a good dose of fiber, vitamin and minerals and antioxidants. It is a natural, wholesome choice and a better option than most commercial treats in my opinion!


On a side note, there will be a nutrition workshop happening at Barking Babies in downtown Vancouver in August, be sure to stay tuned for more details!

Dog Treats

July 4, 2014 by · Leave a Comment 

Giving out treats to your furry friend can be a great way to reward good behaviour, but giving too many treats can lead to weight gain since the calories can quickly add up!

It is recommended treats make up no more than 10% of a dog’s daily calorie intake – how much that will be varies depending on each individual dog (based on breed, size, their activity/exercise level, and age). In Vancouver, there is an overwhelming selection of dog treats in all the pet stores that I have visited, and I have noticed that not all treats are created equal, so be sure to read labels to find out the quality of the products. Or even better, make your own treats at home using natural, wholesome ingredients.

Need homemade treat ideas? Check out our previous posts for inspirations!