Family meals are an important memory for many people. Mom or Dad prepares a home-cooked meal that your family shares while connecting. Of course, the family includes everyone around the house, right? So, shouldn’t your pet also be included in the dinner festivities? In this article, we share some recipes you can prepare for your pet so they can enjoy spending time with the family at dinner.

Chicken and Rice

This is a simple recipe to prepare for your dog. It uses shredded chicken, brown rice, and pet-safe vegetables, such as carrots, peas, or green beans. Make sure the ingredients do not contain excessive amounts of salt. Simply mix the ingredients together and voila – you have a fun meal for your dog. Just make sure to let it cool before serving. Burning your taste buds is a sure way to ruin a meal!

Chicken and Rice Dog Food Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of cooked white rice
• 1 1/2 pounds of skinless, boneless chicken breasts (or thighs)
• 1 cup of diced carrots
• 1 cup of chopped green beans
• 1/2 cup of peas
• 2 cups of water

Instructions:

1. Cook the Chicken: Start by boiling the chicken in the 2 cups of water. Cook until it’s no longer pink inside, then remove the chicken and let it cool.
2. Prepare the Vegetables: While the chicken is cooling, add the carrots, green beans, and peas to the boiling broth. Cook the vegetables until they’re tender (about 10 minutes).
3. Shred the Chicken: Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, shred it into small, bite-sized pieces.
4. Mix Together: In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, cooked rice, and vegetables. Mix everything together until evenly distributed.
5. Serve or Store: You can serve the food immediately once it’s cool, or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.

Feel free to adjust the quantities based on your dog’s size and nutritional needs. Always check with your vet before introducing new foods to ensure they’re appropriate for your dog.

 

Banana and Peanut Butter Treats

If you’re looking for something a little sweeter for your furry friend, why not prepare a banana and peanut butter treat? Now your dog can share in the fun of family dessert night. NOTE: While peanut butter can be a tasty treat, like humans, some dogs are allergic to peanuts. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, if you’re unsure whether your dog is allergic to peanut butter, give them a small amount and watch for any reactions such as itchy skin, hives, scratching or licking, vomiting, swelling of the face or throat. Always consult with your veterinarian if you suspect an allergy. If needed, you can substitute canned food for the peanut butter in this recipe.

Banana and Peanut Butter Dog Treats Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe banana
• 1/4 cup of peanut butter (ensure it’s xylitol-free)
• 1/2 cup of rolled oats
• 1 cup of whole wheat flour (or oat flour for a grain-free option)
• 1/4 cup of water (as needed)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mash the Banana: In a medium bowl, mash the ripe banana until it’s smooth.
3. Add Peanut Butter: Add the peanut butter to the mashed banana and mix until well combined.
4. Mix Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, combine the rolled oats and flour.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the banana-peanut butter mixture, stirring well. If the dough is too dry, add water a little at a time until you get a firm dough.
6. Roll and Cut: Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes.
7. Bake: Place the cutouts on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the treats are golden brown.
8. Cool and Serve: Let the treats cool completely on a wire rack before serving them to your dog.

Store the treats in an airtight container for up to a week, or freeze for longer storage.

 

Tuna and Rice

Just like the chicken and rice recipe above, you can prepare a similar meal with tuna. This is a great option to occasionally include your cat in the family dinner.  It’s simple yet full of love, so your cat can be included as well. Also, as a heads up, some cats don’t like rice. If your cat doesn’t like rice, simply omit it.

Tuna and Rice Cat Food Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of cooked white rice
• 1 can (5 ounces) of tuna in water (ensure it’s low-sodium and packed in water, not oil)
• 1/4 cup of cooked, finely chopped carrots
• 1/4 cup of cooked, finely chopped green beans
• 1/4 cup of cooked, finely chopped peas
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Vegetables: Cook the carrots, green beans, and peas until they are soft. Let them cool and then finely chop them.
2. Mix Tuna and Rice: In a large bowl, combine the cooked white rice and drained tuna.
3. Add Vegetables and Oil: Add the cooked, chopped vegetables to the rice and tuna mixture. Mix in the olive oil to add some healthy fats.
4. Combine and Serve: Stir all the ingredients together until they are well mixed. Ensure the mixture has cooled completely before serving it to your cat.

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

 

Chicken and Pumpkin

This is another simple recipe that calls for chicken, pumpkin, and any pet-safe vegetable. This is a simple recipe that’s healthy for your dog or cat, as every pet can benefit from a good serving of pumpkin.

Chicken, Pumpkin, and Veggie Pet Food Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 pounds of skinless, boneless chicken breasts (or thighs)
• 1 cup of cooked, pureed pumpkin (ensure it’s plain pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling)
• 1 cup of cooked, chopped carrots
• 1 cup of cooked, chopped green beans
• 1/2 cup of cooked peas
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil

 

Instructions:

1. Cook the Chicken: Start by boiling the chicken in water until it’s no longer pink inside. Remove the chicken and let it cool. Shred it into small, bite-sized pieces.
2. Prepare the Vegetables: While the chicken is cooling, cook the carrots, green beans, and peas until they are tender. Let them cool and then chop them if not already chopped.
3. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, cooked pumpkin, cooked vegetables, and olive oil. Mix everything together until evenly distributed.
4. Serve or Store: You can serve the food immediately once it’s cool, or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze for longer storage.

 

Turkey and Vegetable Medley

If you plan to prepare a meal for your cats and dogs simultaneously, this might be what you’re looking for. With some turkey, carrots, and green beans, all adequately cooked and mixed, you can make a plate of food your dog and cat can enjoy together. You can also choose to include rice, though your cat may not like it.

Turkey, Carrots, and Green Beans Pet Food Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 pounds of ground turkey (or turkey breast, cooked and shredded)
• 1 cup of cooked, chopped carrots
• 1 cup of cooked, chopped green beans
• 1 cup of cooked brown rice (optional, for added grains)
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil

Instructions:

1. Cook the Turkey: Start by cooking the ground turkey in a large pan over medium heat until it’s no longer pink. If you’re using turkey breast, cook it thoroughly and then shred it into small pieces.
2. Prepare the Vegetables: While the turkey is cooking, cook the carrots and green beans until they are tender. Let them cool and chop them if they’re not already chopped.
3. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked turkey, cooked vegetables, and olive oil. If you’re using brown rice, mix it in as well. Stir until all ingredients are well distributed.
4. Serve or Store: You can serve the food immediately once it’s cool, or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze for longer storage.

This recipe provides a balanced meal for your pet.

Important Note: Always check with your vet before introducing new foods to ensure they’re appropriate for your pet’s dietary needs.

While this is just a short list of basic recipes to prepare for your pets, it opens up a world of possibilities to prepare for your special family members so they can enjoy quality time with the family at the dinner table. When it comes to preparing them, you should take into consideration your pet’s size and average food intake to decide the ingredient quantities.

We hope these recipes help you enjoy some special time with your pets, enjoying dinner together! And remember, here at Hillrose Pet Resort, we know you can’t always be home for your pet. If you need a safe place for your pet to stay while you’re away from home, our quality pet boarding is just a click or call away.