SWEET POTATO FRIES FOR SHARING
When you’re making your own meals, do you find yourself being watched by puppy-dog eyes and a tail that wags slowly in anticipation? Dogs have practiced that look for millennia; it’s practically handed down generation after generation in their genetic code—because it works. The quickest method of shutting down that Pavlovian puddle of drool gathering on the floor is to provide a bite or two of the foods you’re preparing. Sharing is not a sign of weakness or spoiling your dog. As long as foods shared are safe and in appropriate amounts there’s no reason to withhold from our dogs fresh, wholesome foods and the nutrients they provide.
In this section you’ll find ingredients to avoid, ingredients to use with caution, and ingredients that are fantastic choices for sharing off the cutting board or as supplements to your dog’s meals. Each ingredient includes portion sizes for dogs of various weights, so you can prevent any digestive upset or over-supplementation of any nutrient. Yes, you can feed your dog off your cutting board; just don’t feed your dog off your plate. Once a dish reaches the dinner table it’s filled with salt, pepper, fat, onion, or other ingredients that can adversely affect your dog.
Also included are a few recipes that can be shared with your dog with slight modifications or by setting some aside while you prepare your own. These recipes only include ingredients and quantities that are safe for your dog. Because these recipes are intended as additions to your dog’s regular meals, serving sizes reflect a snack-size portion.
Have fun sharing, but at least have your dog sit before you hand over the goods.
There is much debate about which foods are good for dogs and which are not. However, there are some foods known to be harmful to pets. Maybe your dog has eaten a grape or raisin before without incident, but you never know which grape will be the tipping point. The liver stores a variety of vitamin and minerals, and we still don’t know how much it stores of some chemicals in foods that are dangerous to dogs. With so many different foods free of controversy that your dog is sure to enjoy, don’t put your pet at risk with these foods.
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
There’s nothing funny about giving a dog sips of beer or other alcoholic beverages. Your dog is the ultimate lightweight, and just a little bit of alcohol can cause vomiting, seizures, and even death.
CHOCOLATE
The mixture of caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline in any type of chocolate product can be toxic because they stimulate your pet’s nervous system. Cocoa powder can have up to twice as much theobromine as other types of chocolate. Contact your veterinarian immediately if your dog consumes chocolate products.
Carob is a safe food for dogs, but recipes using this ingredient have not been included because it’s not an ingredient most people commonly have in their kitchen, and it has few benefits for dogs. Also, if we’re trying to keep our dogs from eating chocolate, why give them a chocolate-like substance?
FAT AND SKIN
Including oils and some animal fat in your dog’s diet is essential to good health. What’s not good for your dog is what you left on your plate after enjoying a delicious steak. That steak fat is not only a big fat bomb waiting to explode, it’s also been spiced with salt and pepper, making it more likely to cause diarrhea, vomiting, or possibly pancreatitis (in which case you get a generous supply of both symptoms). The same logic applies to Thanksgiving turkey skin, which causes hundreds of pancreatitis cases every year and has caused lean turkey meat to be guilty by association. On its own, turkey is a lean meat that is safe for dogs. Recipes included in this book contain fat and skin as part of a planned diet in amounts that are safe for your dog.
GRAPES AND RAISINS
The flesh of both grapes and raisins contain an unknown toxin that can damage the kidneys and cause kidney failure. As little as 3 or 4 grapes could cause problems for a 50-pound dog. There have been no problems associated with grape seed extract, which is often given as an antioxidant supplement because the offending toxin is water soluble and not found in the seeds.
MACADAMIA AND OTHER NUTS
When you come back from Hawaii, put these tasty treats up high. Macadamia nuts contain a toxin that may affect the digestive and nervous systems and may cause vomiting, muscle tremors, or elevated heart rate. Contact your veterinarian if your dog should get into these nuts.
Walnuts are also reported to be dangerous because of mold. Peanuts and Brazil nuts, however, can be safe for your dog as long as your dog tolerates them and you feed only in small amounts.
MOLDY FOODS
If it’s not good enough for you (including cheese with questionable mold), then it’s not good enough for your pet.
NUTMEG AND MACE
These are seemingly innocent spices used in many baked goods and savory dishes, but they can affect your dog’s central nervous system, causing digestive issues, vomiting, seizures, or even death.
ONIONS
Whether it is fresh, dried, or powdered, the thiosulphate in onions can damage red blood cells and cause Heinz body anemia. If it has onions in it, it doesn’t go in your dog; this includes most store-bought broths and a large portion of prepared foods. If your dog has eaten a food with onions and begins to show unusual symptoms (vomiting, blood in urine or stool, diarrhea, weakness), contact your veterinarian for a blood test. On the positive side, cooking for your dog is tear free.
BLACK PEPPER
Your dog doesn’t need pepper to make food taste good, so there’s no reason to add it when you’re cooking for your pet. Steer clear of prepared foods with pepper because they can irritate your dog’s digestive system.
PITS FROM FRUIT
Pits can cause obstructions in the digestive track, so if your dog happens to like apricots, mango, peaches, or plums, be sure to remove the pit prior to serving, regardless of your dog’s size.
RAW SALMON AND TROUT
Not all salmon and trout are created equal because not all habitats have issues with the fluke flatworm. Raw salmon and trout from the Pacific Northwest should not be fed to your dog because it can be potentially fatal. Symptoms normally appear within a week of feeding these fish to your dog. Well-cooked and processed fish is safe for your dog to eat and a great source of omega-3 fatty acids.
SALT AND SALTY FOODS
There is enough sodium in a natural diet to meet your pet’s daily requirement, so there is little reason to add more. Too much salt can cause electrolyte imbalances. Processed foods that we enjoy are usually packed with a great deal of sodium and shouldn’t be shared, as one salty chip in a Yorkie’s stomach can cause big issues.
YEAST DOUGH
Imagine eating a yeasty dinner roll without it being cooked. Inside your warm stomach the dough continues to expand and produce gas, leading to discomfort and possible rupture of your digestive system. The same goes for your dog, so be sure to place rising dough out of your counter surfer’s reach.
Some foods will come down to a matter of choice and the ability of your dog’s digestive system to tolerate them. You can never go wrong by soliciting your veterinarian’s opinion.
BONES
Dogs love chewing on bones. They are mentally stimulating, they are great for a dog’s teeth, and the small bits of bone a dog scrapes off are a good source of calcium.
The issue with all types of bones is that they can splinter, cause perforation or obstruction in the digestive tract, or fracture your dog’s teeth. Most dogs should be able to digest a small amount of bone, but before allowing unsupervised consumption, you should be fully aware of how fast your dog can break into a bone. Take bones away from your dog and inspect every 15 minutes; if you notice large pieces missing or cracks in the bone, it’s time to throw it away. Do not allow your pet to gnaw bones to a size that they could swallow.
Poultry bones should be avoided because their porous nature makes them likely to splinter. Instead, look for beef marrowbones; they have a delicious center filling and the bones are thicker, so they are less likely to splinter.
Cooking destroys the structural integrity of all bones, making them more likely to fracture, so cooked bones should never be fed to a dog.
MILK PRODUCTS
In our house, dogs get a very small splash of reduced-fat milk or plain low-fat yogurt in the morning; we call it their puppy coffee. Every once in a while, we give the dogs small pieces of cheese or scrape out the cheese grater into a lucky dog’s bowl. However, many dogs lose their ability to process lactose shortly after being weaned (just like some humans do). Our dogs consume dairy products without issue only because we keep it to a minimum. I’ve talked to many people whose dog has suddenly had a bout of diarrhea, and many times it goes back to the overfeeding of cheese. If you know your dog can eat cheese in small amounts, then it’s okay to share; refer to the section on foods worth sharing starting here to learn the appropriate serving size.
AVOCADOS
The leaves and pit of the avocado contain the toxin persin, known to cause vomiting, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal irritation. The greatest concern comes from Guatemalan avocados, and less from California Hass avocados. Avocado flesh is rich in nutrients and has essential fatty acids that can help improve your dog’s skin and coat, but excessive fat intake can cause some of the above digestive symptoms as well, so limit the amount you feed to your dog.
LIVER
Whether the liver in question is beef, chicken, or something more exotic, dogs will do just about anything for liver. Liver is rich in vitamins A and D; so rich, in fact, that it should be no more than 5 percent of a dog’s diet. This makes it better as a treat or snack rather than as a meal. (See the recipes for Loyalty Liver Paté, and Robert’s Liver Treats.) Even when providing treats, do so in moderation to avoid digestive upset. Terriers in particular can accumulate excessive amounts of copper in their livers, resulting in hepatitis, lethargy, vomiting, and weight loss, so treats with liver should be avoided altogether for these dogs.
From an early age we’re taught to share, but not with our dogs. While you’re preparing your own meals, be on the lookout for foods that can be safe additions to your dog’s bowl and circumvent the garbage can by using scraps as snacks. When I’m cooking my own meals, there are eight eyes watching my every move. They know that if they stay in their appointed area, I’ll figure out something to sneak into their bowls. One day we were baking pies and it was small pieces of organic pears. A few days later I was making pear butter with the remaining fruit and decided to make some dried pear strips with the skins. The dogs wouldn’t touch the raw skins but went crazy for the dried jerky. Sometimes it just requires a little creativity when introducing new foods.
The amounts given here are “Reasonable Daily Amounts”; think of this as the RDA for the canine set. Feeding less than that is certainly okay, because these amounts are in addition to what you’re already feeding your dog. The RDAs are set so as not to disrupt the amount of fat, vitamins and minerals, fiber, and calories in your dog’s normal diet. Following the RDAs will allow you to treat your dog and avoid digestive upset.
All quantities are given in standard kitchen measurements, but you don’t need to pull out the measuring cups every time you feed your dog a snack. A tablespoon doesn’t mean a heaping tablespoon; you’re aiming to dish out a moderately level amount equivalent to the large spoon you would use to eat soup. A teaspoon should be close to the teaspoon used to stir cream into your coffee.
If you’re giving your dog multiple snacks throughout the day, aim for variety, such as a vegetable in the morning, a small piece of bread in the afternoon, and a piece of meat in the evening. Mix and match according to what works for you and what your dog enjoys; just practice moderation.
The amounts in this section are less than 10 percent of the average dog’s caloric intake. With some of the RDAs (and especially when you get to the part about cheese here), you may think it’s a stingy amount, but it’s in your dog’s best interest. Tips are provided to help you extend the experience rather than your dog’s waistline.
Any time you give your dog something new, do so in small increments to see how your pet’s palate and stomach tolerate it. So the first time you give your dog a new food, use about one-quarter of the reasonable daily amount and then move up to one-half the next time, and so on. If you notice any foods that aren’t tolerated, discontinue them.
If your dog simply turns his nose up, try again when he’s really hungry. We repeatedly offered the dogs banana, only to be rejected, and finally Chloe (who would previously only eat meat or cheese snacks) tried a slice and deemed it worthy of her notice. Now every day Chloe waits patiently for a slice. For some dogs, new textures are exciting, but other dogs may need some coaxing. If your dog won’t eat a carrot, for example, try shredding carrots into the food. Once a dog starts learning that a new food is okay, he’s more likely to try it on its own.
YOU DON’T NEED A RULER IF YOU HAVE A THUMB
In many languages the word inch is closely related to the word thumb, and for good reason; your thumb is about an inch wide. I wouldn’t recommend using your thumb as your standard measurement in building a house, but you can certainly use your phalange when portioning for your pooch.
FRUITS
Dogs generally prefer red apples to green. Try a slice, and if your dog raises his nose away, then you might want to try removing the peel. Because apple seeds contain cyanide, apple cores should not be given to dogs.
| 10-pound dog | 20-pound dog | 40-pound dog | 60-pound dog | 80-pound dog |
| ¹∕8 apple | ¹∕³ apple | ½ apple | ²∕³ apple | 1 whole apple (cored) |
It’s a bit of a double standard, but I won’t eat a spotted (ripe) banana. I will, however, sneak them into the dogs’ bowls along with their meal. Whether you’re making breakfast or banana splits, feel free to add this potassium-packed powerhouse to your pooch’s bowl. Bananas should be ripe, not green; otherwise your dog will have a difficult time digesting them.
| 10-pound dog | 20-pound dog | 40-pound dog | 60-pound dog | 80-pound dog |
| 1-inch slice | 2-inch slice | ¹∕³ banana | ½ banana | ²∕³ banana |
Did you read about Marley in Marley & Me? Although he was a lot of trouble, he loved mangos. Both mangos and papayas are filled with antioxidants and enzymes that assist digestion.
| 10-pound dog | 20-pound dog | 40-pound dog | 60-pound dog | 80-pound dog |
| 2 teaspoons | 2 tablespoons | ¼ cup | ¹∕³ cup | ½ cup |
Watermelon or cantaloupe can help your dog cool down in the summer. Give your dog cubes of melon, but not the rind, which might cause an upset stomach.
| 10-pound dog | 20-pound dog | 40-pound dog | 60-pound dog | 80-pound dog |
| 2 tablespoons | ¼ cup | ½ cup | ²∕³ cup | 1 cup |
There are a few dogs who enjoy citrus fruit; if yours is one, it’s okay to share this vitamin C–packed fruit; just peel it and give your dog the appropriate number of sections.
| 10-pound dog | 20-pound dog | 40-pound dog | 60-pound dog | 80-pound dog |
| 1 section | 2 sections | 3 sections | 4 sections | 6 sections |
During the summer, Baxter goes absolutely insane when he smells a plum nearby. Some dogs love the sweet, juicy taste; but remember to remove the pit.
| 10-pound dog | 20-pound dog | 40-pound dog | 60-pound dog | 80-pound dog |
| ¹∕8 plum | ¹∕³ plum | ½ plum | ²∕³ plum | 1 whole plum |
VEGETABLES
Here’s a vegetable that’s loaded with vitamins but has a pretty bad rap for dogs. Broccoli contains isothiocyanate, which can upset your dog’s digestive system in large doses. Few of us, however, would attempt to give our dogs a whole head of broccoli every day. In small amounts, this vegetable can be a good addition to your dog’s diet. You’re probably not going to eat those broccoli stalks anyway, so let your dog gnaw on them; or chop them up, lightly steam, and add a small amount to your dog’s food.
| 10-pound dog | 20-pound dog | 40-pound dog | 60-pound dog | 80-pound dog |
| 2 teaspoons | 2 tablespoons | ¼ cup | ¹∕³ cup | ½ cup |
Not only are carrots high in vitamins but they also provide a good chewing activity. If your dog won’t eat a whole carrot, try grating it and mixing it with a meal, or steaming it.
| 10-pound dog | 20-pound dog | 40-pound dog | 60-pound dog | 80-pound dog |
| 1 baby carrot | 2 baby carrots | 3 baby carrots | 4 baby carrots | 5 baby carrots |
Our dogs love these green vegetables, so we sneak them a couple while preparing meals. It’s okay for snacking, but in larger quantities, they should be grated or pulsed in the food processor to break down the cellular structure.
| 10-pound dog | 20-pound dog | 40-pound dog | 60-pound dog | 80-pound dog |
| 2 whole beans or pods | 3 whole beans or pods | 4 whole beans or pods | 5 whole beans or pods | 6 whole beans or pods |
The test subjects in our home definitely prefer the rosy hues of red, yellow, or orange bell peppers over green bell peppers. Remove all the seeds and chop or dice.
| 10-pound dog | 20-pound dog | 40-pound dog | 60-pound dog | 80-pound dog |
| 2 teaspoons | 4 teaspoons | 2 tablespoons | 3 tablespoons | ¼ cup |
If you have extra parsley, whether it be the head or the stems, curly or flat leaf, chop it up finely and store in the fridge. Add some daily to your dog’s dish to aid digestion and sweeten that doggy breath.
| 10-pound dog | 20-pound dog | 40-pound dog | 60-pound dog | 80-pound dog |
| 2 teaspoons | 4 teaspoons | 2 tablespoons | 3 tablespoons | ¼ cup |
This potassium powerhouse is a great treat because it’s low in calories, is a great source of dietary fiber, and has as much vitamin C as a tomato. Whether you’re making potatoes mashed or boiled, keep the skins on, remove any eyes, and remove your dog’s portion before you salt them. Do not use any potatoes with a green hue to the skin because that green tint indicates the presence of solanine, which is toxic to dogs. (You probably shouldn’t eat it, either.)
| 10-pound dog | 20-pound dog | 40-pound dog | 60-pound dog | 80-pound dog |
| 2 tablespoons | ¼ cup | ½ cup | ¾ cup | 1 cup |
My grandmother saved the water used in boiling potatoes for her gravies. I skim off a little after cooking, let it cool, and share it with our dogs. They love it. You can provide your dog with something that she’ll think is a great treat, yet it has virtually no calories and is easy on the digestion.
Cook potatoes without salt, adding it instead while the potatoes are being mashed to prevent your dogs from receiving a shock of sodium. Let the potato water cool to just above room temperature and then mix in with your dog’s food.
| 10-pound dog | 20-pound dog | 40-pound dog | 60-pound dog | 80-pound dog |
| 2 teaspoons | 4 teaspoons | 2 tablespoons | 3 tablespoons | ¼ cup |
Don’t save this treat just for Thanksgiving; they’re great additions to your dog’s diet throughout the year. Just skip the brown sugar and marshmallows. If you prefer to include the nutritious skins, scrub well and grate the tubers for easier digestion.
| 10-pound dog | 20-pound dog | 40-pound dog | 60-pound dog | 80-pound dog |
| 2 tablespoons | ¼ cup | ½ cup | ¾ cup | 1 cup |
Some chopped tomatoes added to the dog bowl provide a little fresh taste and plenty of vitamin C. When cooked, their amount of lycopene soars, which helps protect your dog’s heart. As with potatoes, any green spots should be removed. If you grow your own, make sure your dog doesn’t eat the green tomatoes, leaves, or stems, as these contain toxic chemicals.
| 10-pound dog | 20-pound dog | 40-pound dog | 60-pound dog | 80-pound dog |
| 1 tablespoon | 2 tablespoons | 3 tablespoons | ¼ cup | ¹∕³ cup |
DAIRY
Yes, dogs love cheese, and it’s hard to resist sharing. Unfortunately it’s high in fat, and many adult dogs have lost their ability to process dairy products. Whether it is cheddar, Parmesan, goat cheese, or cream cheeses, if you’re considering sharing some scraps with your dog, do so in moderation.
I’ve talked to quite a few people who use cheese in training their dogs and come to me when their dogs have diarrhea, hoping to find a solution because their dog can no longer eat their regular food. In most cases, it’s the cheese used in training. When your dog is really performing well, you’re going to “jackpot” your dog with a lot of treats. Cheese is such a high-value food for dogs that it’s better to use it in a bonding exercise or to exploit the sticky factor in creating time-consuming snacks.
We usually clean out the cheese grater by dividing it up among the dogs, or make them all sit while taking turns licking the goat cheese wrapper. It’s even more fun to feed them one string of grated cheese at a time, because it prolongs their enjoyment.
| 10-pound dog | 20-pound dog | 40-pound dog | 60-pound dog | 80-pound dog |
| ½ teaspoon | 1 teaspoon | 1½ teaspoons | 2 teaspoons | 1 tablespoon |
Eggs are the perfect protein source, and your dog will surely love them. Sharing with your dog is also a great way to practice your omelet-making skills. Cook the dog’s eggs before you cook your own to prevent any salt or pepper from getting into the eggs.
| 10-pound dog | 20-pound dog | 40-pound dog | 60-pound dog | 80-pound dog |
| ¼ egg | ½ egg | 1 egg | 1½ eggs | 2 eggs |
A little plain low-fat yogurt adds beneficial bacteria to help your dog’s digestive system and brings zing to the breakfast bowl. Steer clear of flavored yogurt with added sugar because it adds unnecessary calories and flavorings, which might turn your dog away.
| 10-pound dog | 20-pound dog | 40-pound dog | 60-pound dog | 80-pound dog |
| 1 teaspoon | 2 teaspoons | 1 tablespoon | 2 tablespoons | 3 tablespoons |
GRAINS AND NUTS
Save white bread for feeding the birds. Whole-grain bread is a healthier choice for both you and your dog.
| 10-pound dog | 20-pound dog | 40-pound dog | 60-pound dog | 80-pound dog |
| ¼ slice | ¹∕³ slice | ½ slice | ¾ slice | 1 slice |
This simple breakfast cereal makes a great training treat because it is low in calories and added sugar, is easily portable, and makes a nice whole-grain supplement to your dog’s regular diet.
| 10-pound dog | 20-pound dog | 40-pound dog | 60-pound dog | 80-pound dog |
| 2 tablespoons | ¼ cup | ½ cup | ¾ cup | 1 cup |
Once cooked, scoop out a little of your bowl of oatmeal for your dog in the morning. Dried cranberries add a little sweetness and tang, but remember: no raisins.
| 10-pound dog | 20-pound dog | 40-pound dog | 60-pound dog | 80-pound dog |
| 1 tablespoon | 2 tablespoons | ¼ cup | ¹∕³ cup | ½ cup |
The snack that keeps your dog’s chops smacking: peanut butter. The problem with peanut butter is that it doesn’t really provide much nutrition for the high amount of fat and sodium that is being ingested. Provided sparingly, it can be a good Kong Stuffing or an ingredient in cookies. Try the freshly ground peanut butter at your grocery store; it has better flavor, and is free of hydrogenated oils and added sugar. Or make your own by following the simple recipe here.
| 10-pound dog | 20-pound dog | 40-pound dog | 60-pound dog | 80-pound dog |
| ¼ teaspoon | ½ teaspoon | 1 teaspoon | 2 teaspoons | 1 tablespoon |
White rice is stripped of its bran and germ, which also removes some of the healthy vitamins. Try cooked brown rice for a nutty taste and a larger helping of vitamins and minerals with fewer calories.
| 10-pound dog | 20-pound dog | 40-pound dog | 60-pound dog | 80-pound dog |
| 1 tablespoon | 2 tablespoons | ¼ cup | ¹∕3 cup | ½ cup |
MEAT AND SEAFOOD
Bacon is far from the perfect food for your dog; it’s high in fat and extremely heavy in sodium. However, when it’s frying up neither man nor beast can resist the allure. The smell of cooking bacon never fails to bring our dogs running with their noses high in the air, furiously trying to capture the scent.
If you’re going to break down, you’re only human (and a pretty generous one at that), but follow the RDA strictly, and break it up into 10 or more tiny pieces to prolong your dog’s enjoyment. Dogs rank bacon as one of the highest-value rewards, so use a nibble as an excuse to practice your training even if it’s as simple as making your dog sit before getting a piece.
| 10-pound dog | 20-pound dog | 40-pound dog | 60-pound dog | 80-pound dog |
| ½ square inch | 1 square inch | 2 square inches | 3 square inches | 4 square inches |
When we’re snowshoeing, I like to take a little homemade broth with us for the dogs in a Thermos. It warms them up and is a nice reward after a cold day in the snow. Broth shared with your dogs should not include onions in the preparation. See the broth recipes here, which are great for use both in your cooking and in your dog’s bowl.
| 10-pound dog | 20-pound dog | 40-pound dog | 60-pound dog | 80-pound dog |
| ¹∕³ cup | ½ cup | ²∕³ cup | ¾ cup | 1 cup |
Most dogs enjoy the taste of fish, and this is a great snack that provides a healthy dose of omega-3 fatty acids to nourish your dog’s coat and skin. You can use drained sardines that were packed in oil or water, or even sardines packed in tomato sauce to add a lycopene kick.
| 10-pound dog | 20-pound dog | 40-pound dog | 60-pound dog | 80-pound dog |
| ¼ sardine | ½ sardine | 1 sardine | 1½ sardines | 2 sardines |
The simplest thing you can do to feed your best friend better is to give your dog an egg when you’re making your own breakfast. Your dog will go bonkers for this incredible food, plus it’s inexpensive and easy to prepare.
Eggs are nutritionally dense; for the number of calories (75 per large egg) they provide a good amount of nutrition, especially protein, selenium, and choline. In fact, eggs have the highest biological value, meaning they are the best source of the proteins that are essential for growth and maintenance and are easily absorbed by the body.
Eggs should be cooked because the uncooked egg white prevents biotin (a B vitamin) from being absorbed, and biotin is essential for cell growth, metabolizing fats and protein, and the quality of your dog’s coat.
Cooking an egg is simple in the microwave, it takes only one or two minutes, and there are only two ingredients. Don’t add any butter, salt, or pepper to your dog’s egg—your dog doesn’t need them.
Nonstick cooking spray
1 large egg
2 tablespoons water
Microwave for 1 minute and 15 seconds on high. (For 2 eggs, cook for 2 minutes.)
Allow the egg to cool to room temperature before serving.
One egg replaces ¹∕5 cup of dry food, you can replace up to half of your dog’s normal meal with eggs.
Even dogs reticent with vegetables will love this treat. Finish with a little salt and pepper on your portion and you’ll enjoy these too. This recipe also works well with yams, parsnips, and turnips.
1 medium sweet potato
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ teaspoon dried oregano
Spread out evenly on the baking sheet, positioning the fries so they are parallel. (This will pay off when you need to flip them.) Bake for 15 minutes.
Flip the fries and bake for another 15 minutes.
Allow the fries to cool before serving (but grab your share and sprinkle with a little coarse salt while they are hot).
| ALLOWANCE PER DAY | ||||
| 10-pound dog | 20-pound dog | 40-pound dog | 60-pound dog | 80-pound dog |
| 1 fry | 2 fries | 4 fries | 6 fries | 8 fries |
“Fish, for me?” Your dog will look at you in amazement after the first bite. Although your dog is thinking it’s just a treat, it’s really a snack that provides protein, vitamin D, selenium, and a nice helping of omega-3 fatty acids. Try these yourself hot off the griddle or cold over a crisp salad (see Note).
Panko bread crumbs are commonly used in Japanese cooking to provide a crunchy crust with five simple ingredients: flour, sugar, yeast, oil, and salt. This is a healthier choice than other manufactured bread crumbs because panko is made without high-fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, and other added sugars.
1 (14.5-ounce) can salmon
2 large eggs
1¼ cups panko bread crumbs
¹∕³ cup minced fresh parsley
2 tablespoons olive oil
Form patties by packing the mixture into a ½-cup measuring cup and tapping gently into the palm of your hand. Press lightly into a 3½-inch patty.
After the patties have cooled slightly, break up and serve!
Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 weeks.
Note: If you would like to make the same recipe for yourself, add the following to the salmon mixture: ¹∕³ cup minced onion, plus salt and pepper as desired. However, be sure to set aside your dog’s portion first to prevent your dog from getting the onion-laced bits. (Use your dog’s portion to test the oil and cooking time.)
| ALLOWANCE PER DAY | ||||
| 10-pound dog | 20-pound dog | 40-pound dog | 60-pound dog | 80-pound dog |
| ¼ patty | ¹∕³ patty | ²∕³ patty | ¾ patty | 1 patty |
When I was a kid, this was one of our favorite breakfast treats. My mom would top it with a squeeze of lemon and confectioners’ sugar for us. Adding sliced fresh strawberries makes it even more delicious. For your dog, though, serve it plain: The crunchy edges and the puffy egg base are a treat in both texture and taste all by themselves.
½ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup 2% milk
3 large eggs
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ cup unsalted butter
Return the skillet to the oven and cook the pancake for 12 to 15 minutes.
Serve immediately to humans, but wait a few minutes for it to cool off for your canine pal.
| ALLOWANCE PER DAY | ||||
| 10-pound dog | 20-pound dog | 40-pound dog | 60-pound dog | 80-pound dog |
| 1 square inch | 2 square inches | 3 square inches | 4 square inches | 6 square inches |
Winter is a good time for this recipe because it’s easy to prepare from ingredients that are on hand and comforting on long, dark nights. When sharing this treat with your best friend, be sure to let it cool to slightly above room temperature before you serve it.
4 red apples (Braeburn or Red Rome are good choices)
¼ cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground ginger
½ cup unsweetened apple juice
4 teaspoons unsalted butter
Greek yogurt, for topping (optional)
Using a melon baller, scoop out the stem, core, and seeds of the apples, leaving about ½ inch of the bottom intact.
Arrange the apples in a pie dish or an 8-inch square baking dish.
Stuff each apple with 2 tablespoons of the sugar mixture.
Pour the apple juice over and around the apples.
Bake for 1 hour, or until the apples are puffed and tender.
| ALLOWANCE PER DAY | ||||
| 10-pound dog | 20-pound dog | 40-pound dog | 60-pound dog | 80-pound dog |
| ¹∕8 apple | ¼ apple | ¹∕³ apple | ½ apple | ²∕³ apple |
Ever since Jackson stole half a blueberry pie off the counter, he loved blueberries. Sunday morning at our house is blueberry pancake day, and the sight of the griddle brings all the dogs around. The secret to blueberry pancakes that are not streaked with blue (not that the dogs care) is to add the blueberries just after the batter has been set on the griddle. This recipe makes a thicker pancake, but you can make thinner pancakes by adding a tablespoon or two of milk to the batter.
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
2 large eggs
1 cup plain low-fat yogurt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more for the griddle
1 cup fresh or thawed frozen blueberries
Grease the griddle, and pour the batter onto the griddle using a ¼-cup measuring cup.
Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until bubbles start to appear on the top, and then flip and cook for 4 to 5 minutes longer.
Place the finished pancakes in an oven heated to 200°F to keep warm until all the pancakes are cooked.
| ALLOWANCE PER DAY | ||||
| 10-pound dog | 20-pound dog | 40-pound dog | 60-pound dog | 80-pound dog |
| ¹∕³ pancake | ½ pancake | ²∕³ pancake | ¾ pancake | 1 pancake |
When you’re having a summer barbecue, don’t forget your best friend who spent the better part of the day retrieving your Frisbee. Grilled meat has a special appeal for dogs, and it’s worth putting aside a few pieces of chicken and vegetables to share. Just remember to remove the skewers before serving!
¼ cup boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tablespoons olive oil
Sprinkle of garlic powder (less than ¹∕8 teaspoon)
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme, rosemary, or oregano
¼ cup chopped vegetables or fruit, such as red bell peppers, zucchini, apples, pears, or peaches
Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours.
Soak your (wooden) skewers in water to cover for about 30 minutes before cooking.
Heat the grill to medium-low, a temperature in which you can hold your hand for 5 seconds 5 inches above the surface of the grill.
Grill, turning each kebab one-quarter turn every 2 minutes. Cook the last side for a total of 3 minutes, so that the skewers have cooked for a total of 9 minutes.
Allow the chicken and vegetables to cool to room temperature, then remove the skewers and serve.
| ALLOWANCE PER DAY |
| As an occasional meal, replace cup for cup of your dog’s regular meal. |
When you’re making a tuna fish sandwich, what’s the first thing you do? You drain off the water and pour it down the sink. Next you grab two pieces of bread, being careful to avoid the heel of the loaf. Put these two things you weren’t even going to use together and you have a nice little pick-me-up for your pooch.
1 slice whole-grain bread
1 (6-ounce) can tuna, packed in water
Add 1 tablespoon of the tuna, blend with a fork, and serve.
| ALLOWANCE PER DAY | ||||
| 10-pound dog | 20-pound dog | 40-pound dog | 60-pound dog | 80-pound dog |
| ¹∕³ slice | ½ slice | ²∕³ slice | ¾ slice | 1 slice |
Sure, these cheese chips are great rolled up while slightly warm and then stuffed into a Kong toy. However, they are also a nice addition to your own salad and make a nice garnish when you’re having guests.
2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Put the pan over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, until the cheese is bubbling and slightly browned.
Remove the pan from the heat and allow the chips to cool in the pan for 5 to 6 minutes. Blot lightly with a paper towel to remove excess grease. While warm, the chips can be rolled and inserted into a Kong toy.
Reserve leftover chips at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
| ALLOWANCE PER DAY | ||||
| 10-pound dog | 20-pound dog | 40-pound dog | 60-pound dog | 80-pound dog |
| ½ teaspoon cheese | 1 teaspoon cheese | 1½ teaspoon cheeses | 2 teaspoon cheeses | 1 teaspoon cheese |