Cooking for your dog

Here are a few recipes that I have used for my dog Merlin (on the right) when during his last few years. Merlin had hip dysplasia, pain, arthritis and was 13 when I started giving him acupuncture, herbs and changed his diet. During this time I was still in acupuncture college. Merlin was the inspiration to start Four Paws Acupuncture after seeing how holistic therapies helped him. He lived to be almost 15 - which is amazing for a German Shepherd!

Recipe for Merlin’s Magic Congee

Grains should be thoroughly cooked for animals, as they don’t really chew their food well. Congee is a Chinese dish made from rice, meat and vegetables that is slow cooked and easy to digest.

In a crock pot or heavy pot with lid add:

5 cups of spring or filtered (not tap) water or free-range chicken broth. (Do not use chicken broth with onions or if the dog is allergic to chicken.)

1 cup rice - White Basmati is best for summer, warm weather or dogs prone to loose stools. Brown rice best for cold weather or dogs prone to constipation.

Several pieces of frozen or fresh organic chicken or turkey.

1 cup or more of chopped or frozen veggies such as carrots, celery, sweet potato, yams, parsley, string beans.

You can add a small handful of raw tonifying Chinese herbs such as Astragalus, Dang Gui, Ginseng or Codenopsis in the congee if you are able to find these. Ask a licensed acupuncturist.

If cooking in a crock pot, set on low and cook for 4-6 hours. If using a heavy pot on the stove, set the flame or electric burner on the lowest setting, and cook for 4-6 hours.

 This recipe was given to me by Nikki's owner, Maria who cooked for Nikki and nursed her back to health.

Cooking with Oats

Here is another recipe with oats, to use on special occasions and holidays. Oats are great for relieving stress and calming a nervous dog.

Nikki’s Grateful Oats Recipe for Dogs

Boil two cups water, add one cup of quick cooking rolled oats, remove from heat, cover and passively cook for 45 min. Boil ground turkey or ground chicken about two cups drain and cool.

Steam either green beans, baby carrots or sweet potatoes with a couple cloves of fresh garlic so they are soft, let cool. Add a sprig of parsley for good breath and serve in your favorite holiday dog bowl.

Cinnamon Meatballs for Dogs

Here is a meatball recipe for your dog with warming cinnamon for those dogs affected by cold damp winter days.

NOTE: Please do not add onion to this recipe as onion is toxic for dogs.

Cinnamon Meatballs for Dogs

1/2 pound of free range/organic ground chicken or turkey

1/4 cup of shredded carrots (optional)

3 tablespoons of fresh or dried parsley (great for dog breath)

1 teaspoon of salt

1/8 cup of parmesan cheese

1 egg (leave out if the dog is allergic to chicken.)

1 tablespoon of cinnamon

Copyright 2017 jeanie mossa 

http://www.fourpawsacupuncture.com