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Tips On Cooking For Your Pet
Today, November 1st, is Cook For Your Pet Day! Proper nutrition is crucial to your furry friend’s health and well-being. There are some do’s and don’ts to consider when cooking for Fido and Fluffy, though. A Hudson Valley, NY vet offers some insight on this below.
Avoid Unsafe Foods
The most important thing here is making sure to only offer foods that are safe for your furry companion, such as cooked, boneless meat, fish, or poultry. Some of the things to avoid include garlic, onions, scallions, and chives; grapes, currants, and raisins; meat on the bone; chocolate; avocado; and alcohol. If you aren’t certain if something is safe, look it up or check with your vet.
Get Your Vet’s Recommendations
Speaking of your vet, talk to them before making the switch to cooking Fido and Fluffy’s food. Every pet has unique nutritional needs. These will change over time. A kitten’s menu should be different than that of a senior cat, while a kitty with diabetes or thyroid issues will need a different food than one without any specific medical problems.
Be Cautious Of Misinformation
A quick Google search will reveal dozens, if not hundreds, of pet food recipes. Some are great. Others? Not so much. For example, you’ll find several that include garlic and onions, which are actually toxic to dogs and cats. You may even find people advocating for feeding pets vegan diets. This can be extremely dangerous! Stick with information that comes from trusted, reputable sources.
Customize Menu
One of the benefits of cooking for your furry bff is the fact that you’ll be able to offer customized food. This is great for people whose pets are picky eaters and/or have allergies. You can also vet the quality of your pet’s food, ensuring that they are getting wholesome, high-quality ingredients. Ask your vet for specific advice, including tips on things like fat and protein percentages.
Store Properly
One of the downsides of cooking for your pet is that it can be expensive. Buying in bulk and cooking in large batches may negate a lot of that cost. That means storing the food properly, either by canning, freezing, or even freeze-drying it. You’ll need to be careful here as well, as improper storage can make home-cooked food extremely dangerous. Do plenty of research and err on the side of caution.
As your local Hudson Valley, NY pet hospital, we’re dedicated to providing top-notch care. Contact us anytime!
