Showing posts with label Choosing the Right Dog Food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Choosing the Right Dog Food. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

5 Delicious Dog Friendly Recipes to Make for Cook for Your Pets Day!

Our pets are like our children. We want to give them everything they want and need, including a good healthy diet. So sometimes when they're staring at you while you're cooking or eating dinner, it can be tempting to give in and let them have a little taste of what's on our plate. While not all people food is good for dogs, there are some things that they can have! So on behalf of National Cook for Your Pets Day on November 1, the PetCot Company is showing you just how much fun it can be to cook for your pets, too! Check out these super simple delicious homemade dog food recipes:


1. The Old Standard
This recipe is healthy, easy to make and inexpensive. This is also the perfect meal to make in large batches and then freeze as single servings you can thaw for days and days!

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 cups brown rice
2 carrots, shredded
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 zucchini, shredded
3 pounds ground turkey
1/2 cup peas, canned or frozen
3 cups baby spinach, chopped

DIRECTIONS:

In a large saucepan of 3 cups water, cook rice according to package instructions; set aside.
Heat olive oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add ground turkey and cook until browned, about 3-5 minutes, making sure to crumble the turkey as it cooks.
Stir in spinach, carrots, zucchini, peas and brown rice until the spinach has wilted and the mixture is heated through, about 3-5 minutes. Let cool completely.

2. Beef & Veggie Crockpot Creation
This crockpot recipe includes veggies that hold up a bit better in the slow cooker. 

INGREDIENTS:

2 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 1/2 cups chopped butternut squash
1 1/2 cups brown rice
1 1/2 cups chopped carrots
1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
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.

Meatballs
Meatballs - how fun! Beyond the meatball styling, this recipe is great for it’s use of pumpkin (a stool softener, important for any senior dog) and oat bran (fiber, which helps with a healthy digestive system).

INGREDIENTS:

10 lbs ground beef (lean)
3 slices of bread, cubed small
2 cups of oat bran
4 eggs
3 cans pumpkin puree
Some salt
4 carrots, boiled/steamed and mashed
Flour
Leaves of 4 kale stalk chopped finely

DIRECTIONS:

Put all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix them all together and form them into any size of balls you'd like. Dredge the balls lightly in the flour, shaking off any excess. Put them in 400 degree oven until done. Bake time will depend on the size of your balls; estimated time: about 25 min.

Meatloaf
We love comfort food during the fall and winter months, and we know our dogs won’t mind chowing down on something heavy and wholesome too. 

INGREDIENTS:

1 lbs. lean ground beef
1 ½ cups grated mixed vegetables (use your dog’s favorite veggies)
2 eggs½ cup cottage cheese
1 ½ cups rolled oats

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Hand-mix all ingredients in a bowl until combined thoroughly. Press evenly into a loaf pan. Bake for 40 minutes. Refrigerate or freeze in slices for easy serving.

Spinach and Salmon Scramble
Fish oils are excellent for pups. This yummy dish from Rachael Ray is a dish you can share with your canine companion, as the meal works perfectly well for their human counterparts. Dinner for two, coming right up!

INGREDIENTS:

1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
1/2 can skinless, boneless salmon (3 ounces), drained
1/2 cup frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
2 eggs

DIRECTIONS:

In a small nonstick skillet, heat the EVOO over medium heat. Add the spinach and salmon and cook until heated through. Add the eggs and stir continuously until cooked through, about 2 minutes. Let cool slightly and serve in a dog bowl.


So, this week, step outside the normal diet of your dog's dry kibble and try out one or all of these dog friendly recipes and treat your fur baby to some real homemade deliciousness! Your dog will appreciate it more than you know, and who knows! You may find that you enjoy cooking for your pet and make it part of your weekly regimen! After a nice filling home cooked meal, your dog's going to need a place to rest his full belly. Make sure your dog's comfortable and cozy in a premium raised dog bed from PetCot. We've got multiple sizes and colors to fit any dog and any home. Visit our website to check out our pet beds and other products!

Taking Comfort and Care to a New Level for Pets!

Follow ALL Our Social Media Channels!

Thursday, September 7, 2017

A Healthy Balanced Diet Equals A Healthy Pet!

Your furry friend works hard to keep up with you! They run and play, nap and cuddle, and for all of that, they need the right nutrition to make sure they can continue to do all of these things. Whether you have a cat or dog, there are specific foods that your pet needs at different stages of their life so they can continue to live up to all of their potential. Here at the PetCot company, we realize the value of having the right tools, whether that's a raised pet bed or a delicious and nutritious dog food. Here are a few ways you can make sure you're getting the right food for your pet.


If you have any concerns about your pet's eating habits, what they should or shouldn't eat, or the quantity or quality - please consult your veterinarian for more information.

Consider Their Stage of Life

It's important to realize that your pet's stage of life can influence the types of food they need. While a young pet will need plenty of proteins and vitamins so they can build a strong frame as they grow, an older pet may need something that helps support their aging body and is easily digestible. Pet food isn't a one size fits all.

Look At The Ingredients

If you aren't sure what type of food to get, you can always start by looking at the ingredients on the bag. They will be in order of quantity used, so you'll want to see some form of meat or fish as the first or second item on the list. You'll also want to find appropriate amounts of protein, carbohydrates, fiber and fats in a pet food.

While there are some who choose to get a grain free or gluten free dog food, keep in mind that there are studies saying that your pet isn't allergic to gluten. If you have any concerns about your pets allergies or diet you'll want to talk to your veterinarian. They can run tests on your furry friend to find out exactly what is happening in their body, and choose a food that works with them.

Compare the Guaranteed Analysis

The Guaranteed Analysis can be found on the back of your pet food bag. The chart lists the percentages of the different ingredients contained in the food, but you have to remember that the numbers are on an "as fed" basis and they don't take into account the amount of moisture in the food. Because different foods have different moisture levels, you'll want to determine the actual levels of moisture by converting wet food to Dry Matter.

Take Time Switching Food

Once you've compared the foods and you're ready to make the switch, remember that it's important to make a slow transition between the new food and the old. There are normal bacteria in your dog's digestive system that allow them to digest their food, and when you suddenly change it on them, they can have adverse effects, and it can be harder for them to transition.

One Transition That Doesn't Take Long At All

Did you know, there's one transition that you probably won't have to go through slowly with your pet? When you bring a PetCot home, many pets fall in love with it immediately, and don't need a transition period to get used to it! Throw a few toys on it, add their favorite blanket, and they are generally hooked to their new favorite premium pet bed. And the best part, is you can plan ahead with this by getting a bed that your pup will grow into. We know you care for every aspect of your pet, so from food to bedding, PetCot is here to make sure you have what you need to love your pet longer! Visit our website to check out our products, and find the best one for you!

Taking Comfort and Care to a New Level for Pets!

Follow ALL Our Social Media Channels!

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

How to Choose the Right Pet Food

Your furry friend works hard to keep up with you! They run and play, nap and cuddle, and for all of that, they need the right nutrition to make sure they can continue to do all of these things. Whether you have a cat or dog, there are specific foods that your pet needs at different stages of their life so they can continue to live up to all of their potential. Here at the PetCot company, we realize the value of having the right tools, whether that's a raised pet bed or a delicious and nutritious dog food. Here are a few ways you can make sure you're getting the right food for your pet.

If you have any concerns about your pet's eating habits, what they should or shouldn't eat, or the quantity or quality - please consult your veterinarian for more information.


Consider Their Stage of Life

It's important to realize that your pet's stage of life can influence the types of food they need. While a young pet will need plenty of proteins and vitamins so they can build a strong frame as they grow, while an older pet may need something that helps support their aging body and is easily digestible. Pet food isn't a one size fits all.

Look At The Ingredients

If you aren't sure what type of food to get, you can always start by looking at the ingredients on the bag. They will be in order of quantity used, so you'll want to see some form of meat or fish as the first or second item on the list. You'll also want to find appropriate amounts of protein, carbohydrates, fiber and fats in a pet food.

While there are some who choose to get a grain free or gluten free dog food, keep in mind that there are studies saying that your pet isn't allergic to gluten. If you have any concerns about your pets allergies or diet you'll want to talk to your veterinarian. They can run tests on your furry friend to find out exactly what is happening in their body, and choose a food that works with them.

Compare the Guaranteed Analysis

The Guaranteed Analysis can be found on the back of your pet food bag. The chart lists the percentages of the different ingredients contained in the food, but you have to remember that the numbers are on an "as fed" basis and they don't take into account the amount of moisture in the food. Because different foods have different moisture levels, you'll want to determine the actual levels of moisture by converting wet food to Dry Matter.

Take Time Switching Food

Once you've compared the foods and you're ready to make the switch, remember that it's important to make a slow transition between the new food and the old. There are normal bacteria in your dog's digestive system that allow them to digest their food, and when you suddenly change it on them, they can have adverse effects, and it can be harder for them to transition.

One Transition That Doesn't Take Long At All

Did you know, there's one transition that you probably won't have to go through slowly with your pet? When you bring a PetCot home, many pets fall in love with it immediately, and don't need a transition period to get used to it! Throw a few toys on it, add their favorite blanket, and they are generally hooked to their new favorite premium pet bed. We know you care for every aspect of your pet, so from food to bedding, PetCot is here to make sure you have what you need to love your pet longer! Visit our website to see photos of our product, and find the best one for you!

Taking Comfort and Care to a New Level for Pets!

Follow ALL Our Social Media Channels!






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