Dogs might be carnivores, but just like us, they get bored with the same raw food or kibble day in and day out. Just imagine how you’d feel eating the same thing every single day of your life – you’d hate it, right? Although dog treats can provide your dog with a bit of food variety, most of them are often packed with excessive calories and can lead to extra pounds if you give them too many treats. The good news is that there are other ways to add a little spice to your dog’s otherwise boring mealtime. Consider cooking your dog a homemade Italian meal. Not only will this add a bit of variety for your dog but, it will be fun to experiment with different recipes to find the right combination that will appease your dog’s taste buds so that he gives up five paws for a job well done. Plus, it’s a great way to mix in any food additives to which they might otherwise turn their nose up. In this brief article, we’ll provide you with some tips to make your Italian meal the best that it can be.
First of all, understand that dogs have restrictions. That is, some foods are off-limits when you’re cooking for your dog. For instance, Italian sausage may be a no-go. They are often processed with many harmful ingredients like garlic powder and onion powder that can ultimately cause your dog serious health complications like anemia. They also have a lot of fat in them, which can cause obesity. Additionally, red pepper can cause gastroenteritis and other tummy issues. So, do your best to avoid these ingredients so that you can prevent health complications.
Instead, you may want to opt for safer ingredients like ground turkey or lean ground beef. You may also want to avoid salt, chives, garlic, and opinion powders so that you avoid hemolytic anemia that can damage your pup’s red blood cells. Instead, you can use basil as a seasoning as it is dog-safe and has antimicrobial, antiviral, and antioxidants properties. However, never use much.
Second, limit the amount of sauce. Although tomato sauce isn’t toxic, it isn’t particularly healthy for dogs either. You see, they typically contain artificial flavors and too much salt and sugar. If you choose pasta sauce, make sure that it doesn’t have any onions or garlic, or other harmful ingredients. Therefore, it will be best to make your sauce with tomato sauce that doesn’t include garlic or onions and only include a little basial for seasoning,
Third, choose the right pasta. Dogs can have a bit of plain pasta, but you should never feed them too much pasta. Most veterinarians recommend that they only get a few cooked noodles a week. However, if you absolutely must provide them some pasta, limit it to a ½ cup for larger dogs and ¼ for smaller dogs.
Fourth, add a bit of meat and skip the Italian sausage. Instead, add some great options like lean ground beef or ground turkey. Since dogs are carnivores the ratio of meat should be higher than the amount of pasta and sauce.
In conclusion, you can make a delicious Italian meal for your dog that includes a bit of pasta, sauce, and meat. However, you have to ensure that you avoid garlic and onions, and other harmful materials. By creating your own pasta sauce, limiting the amount of pasta, and piling on the meat, you can provide your dog with the variety it has been craving for. It makes for a great treat when training them to use their kennel or just general housebreaking. That said, Italian food is a once-in-a-while food choice for your canine companions and should never be your dog’s primary diet. Instead, stick to vet-approved kibble, raw food, or homemade recipes that are healthier and leave the Italian meals for once in a while special meal.
Kevin grew up cooking with his grandfather’s Italian recipes and secrets. And with that, he developed passion that is beyond the food. Now, as a chef with his own restaurant, he is able to share it with others.
