The weather outside is frightful! As the weather gets cooler, your dog may be craving something a little warmer to hold them over. According to the American Kennel Club, 24% of Americans warm their dog's food regularly. There’s some science behind this too – warming up food enhances taste and aroma, making it more appealing for your pooch to dig in.
What kinds of food are heat and dog-friendly? Let’s discuss:
CHICKEN SOUP FOR DOGS -
One of the best ways for dogs to get protein while warming them up is making some chicken soup. It should be bland (salts aren’t good for a dog’s digestive system) and consist of a lot of chicken. From Dogs Naturally Magazine:
- “Place three to four chicken thighs in six cups of water. You can also add chopped celery and carrot.
- Bring to a boil and simmer for 1½ to 2 hours.
- Remove skin and bones, and set meat aside.
- Strain broth and use it to boil 1 to 2 cups of chopped vegetables (like carrot, celery, yam, cauliflower) for 20 minutes.
- Allow to cool before serving.”
According to Dogs Naturally, this soup is great for dogs with an upset stomach or diarrhea as well.
OATMEAL -
Another warm and filling treat for dogs is plain oatmeal. Though oatmeal should never be a meal replacement as it lacks essential ingredients, oatmeal is high in fiber. Remember, when preparing a hearty bowl of oatmeal (experts suggest a half-a-cup two times a week at most) make it with water instead of milk. Many dogs and cats can’t digest lactose easily.
(SOME) THANKSGIVING LEFTOVERS –
After the feast is over, you will likely have a lot of leftovers. Your dog wants in on the action! Here’s a list of things you can feed your dog after Turkey Day. Remember only to feed in small amounts, as too much of a good thing may upset your dog's stomach.
- Turkey (this is a great lean protein for both dogs and cats!)
- Plain Mashed Potatoes (avoid giving too much of this, or avoid altogether if it has a lot of butter and gravy)
- Green Beans (fresh veggies are always a welcome addition to your dog's diet if they’ll eat them!)
Do NOT feed your dog the following: Grapes, Garlic, Scallions, artificial sweeteners, or chocolate. Many of these items are either choking hazards or toxic to your pet's health.
CROCKPOT STEW -
Enjoy this well-balanced seasonal bounty with your dog. The best part is that this stew is freezer-friendly, so you can feed them this meal again and again throughout the winter.
“2 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 1/2 cups brown rice
1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 1/2 cups chopped butternut squash
1 1/2 cups chopped carrots
1/2 cup peas, frozen or canned
Directions: Stir in ground beef, brown rice, kidney beans, butternut squash, carrots, peas and 4 cups water into a 6-qt slow cooker. Cover and cook on low heat for 5-6 hours or high heat for 2-3 hours, stirring as needed. Let cool completely.”
DOG FOOD -
Yes, you can even heat up the dog food you already have! Many pet owners mix in a little hot water or wet food with their dry food. It changes the texture and enhances flavor.
Between giving your dog a leftover Thanksgiving feast or a warm cup of oatmeal, your dog will be one cozy canine this winter season.