pumpkin for pet health

I seek out sources of nutrition that can prevent and remedy common pet issues and support holistic pet care, preferring the natural route whenever possible. Fall is here, so what better time to break out the pumpkin for our pets? Canned, natural, unsweetened pumpkin, pumpkin seeds, and cooked fresh pumpkin offer several health benefits to dogs and cats. 

What are the benefits of pumpkin for our pets?

• Supports digestive health. Pumpkin is a great source of fiber for dogs and cats and can help with both constipation and diarrhea. You can add a tablespoon or two to their food each day to keep them regular.

• Anal gland support. Some dogs and cats are more susceptible than others to anal gland issues. Adding pumpkin to your pet's diet can help the anal glands naturally express. Years ago, I had a dog who had to have his anal glands surgically expressed because they had become so impacted. After the fact, I learned about how pumpkin could help. I began adding it to his dinner, and he never had anal gland issues again. 

• Weight loss. Helping your pet maintain a healthy weight is essential to his health. If your pet is overweight, you may consider replacing some of his kibble with pumpkin. Pumpkin is low in calories and full of nutrition. Your pet will feel full and satisfied even though his calories have been reduced.

• Helps maintain urinary health. Pumpkin seeds and pumpkin flesh are high in essential fatty acids and antioxidants that are believed to support urinary health. You may consider adding pumpkin to your pet's diet if he has urinary issues such as incontinence or urinary tract infections. 

• Skin and fur maintenance. The essential fatty acids and antioxidants found naturally in pumpkin helps your pet maintain a healthy coat and skin.

• Cancer prevention. Pumpkin is a great source of Vitamin A, beta-carotene, iron, and potassium, all of which are thought to reduce the likelihood that your pet will develop cancer. 

These benefits can be achieved with just a small amount of pumpkin. Be careful not to feed your pet too much, as excess amounts of Vitamin A can be toxic. Be sure that the pumpkin you feed your pet is free of sugar and spices (you don't want to feed your pet canned pumpkin pie filling, for example). As with most things, moderation is key. Most dogs love the taste of pumpkin and consider it a treat. Cats can be more finicky about it (shocking, right?), but it's certainly worth a try. Some felines think it's divine! 

You can add pumpkin directly to your pet's food, or you can include it in homemade treats. here are a handful of recipes to get you started:

Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Dog Treats

Pumpkin Dog Biscuits 

Gluten-free Dog Treats with Pumpkin

Pumpkin Cookies for 4-legged Friends

It is recommended that you consult your pet's veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.

Do you include pumpkin in your pet's diet? What's the verdict?

This article, written by me, originally appeared on Hybrid Rasta Mama, for whom I create original content. It has been reposted here with permission.

adding quinoa to your dog's diet (with recipes)

Since I wrote about whether a vegan diet is viable for dogs, readers, clients, and friends have asked me about incorporating quinoa into their dogs' diets. Questions have ranged from wondering if quinoa is toxic to dogs to the nutritional value of quinoa for their canine companions.

Whether you and your dog are vegan or not, quinoa is a healthy addition to your diet.

What is quinoa? Though often thought to be a whole grain, quinoa is actually a seed. It is thought to have first been grown and harvested for food by the ancient Incas.

Is quinoa toxic to dogs? First thing's first. Quinoa is not toxic to dogs, but can cause severe digestive upset if fed uncooked, so always serve quinoa to your dog after is has been cooked.

Can dogs digest quinoa? Cooked quinoa can be digested by dogs. Due to it's high fiber content, quinoa can sometimes cause diarrhea when first introduced, so use caution to incorporate it slowly, as you should any new food.

Why is quinoa healthy for my dog and me? Quinoa is packed with nutrients and healing properties. Due to it's high protein content (over 8 grams per cooked cup) and the fact that it contains the nine essential amino acids, it is often a staple of vegan and vegetarian diets. It is low in fat (about 3.5 grams per cooked cup), low in calories (about 220 per cooked cup) and cholesterol-free. It is a good source of iron, magnesium, vitamin B12, and fiber and is rich in antioxidants. 

How do I prepare quinoa? Always rinse quinoa thoroughly before preparing it. Add one part quinoa to two parts liquid, and bring to a boil. Turn down heat to low, and cook, covered, until the liquid has been absorbed.

Though most often cooked in water for a neutral-flavored quinoa that can be used for a variety of purposes, I sometimes cook it in vegetable broth (or broth of your choosing) for a more full-flavored savory dish. Be aware that most store-bought broth is high in sodium and wouldn't be best for dogs to consume. I also cook it in almond milk (you may substitute your favorite milk) for a richer, sweeter breakfast dish. I offer my family accompaniments such as agave syrup, raisins, bananas, and almonds for a energy-packed start to their day. Whether cooked in water, homemade (low sodium) broth, or milk, I will typically make a large batch so that I can use a scoop here and there in our dog food, a scoop in my lunch salad, or a quick side-dish for a kid meal. It's a great thing to have on-hand in the fridge. 

How should I incorporate quinoa into my dog's diet? As with any new food, introduce quinoa into your dog's diet gradually. Because it is so high in fiber, your dog may suffer diarrhea if given too much. A small spoonful mixed into his regular food is a good place to start. Consult your veterinarian or dietitian for specific feeding guidelines for your dog. Quinoa will not provide all of the nutrients your dog needs, but can be a healthy addition to your dog's diet.

RECIPES FOR THE TRYING:

Abby & Chi-chi's Vegan Dog Food

Homemade Sweet Potato Peanut Butter Vegan Dog Delight

Skinny Muttloaf

Quinoa Crisps with Rosemary Salmon Dog Treats

Have you used quinoa in your dog's food? Please tell us about it!

can dogs be vegan?

As a professional pet sitter, I see a wide variety of canine diets. A big part of my job is to maintain the established routine for the pets in my care as best I can, so whatever they eat on a regular basis is what they eat when I'm feeding them. I don't judge–well, mostly I don't. I see both high-quality and low-quality kibble, canned food, raw diets, dehydrated food, and homemade food. Regardless of what the pets in a family are eating, I have to believe that their owners are feeding them the best they can with the knowledge and finances available to them. I try to keep my clients educated about the benefits of feeding a high-quality diet. That being said, I am not an animal dietician, and I am constantly learning. 

Whether dogs are carnivores or omnivores is hotly debated. The argument that dogs should be fed meat is largely based on the belief that dogs are carnivores, meaning they eat only meat. In fact, dogs are omnivores.  "In the wild" is almost a mute point, now, since they have been domesticated for so many generations, but if in the wild, they would eat a diet of mostly meat and some plants. 

Eager faces as I'm scooping their homemade vegan food into their bowls.

As an aspiring vegan, I was particularly interested in the vegan diet my client, Karla, feeds her dogs. I may have just stepped in a pile of poop, because I understand that feeding a vegan diet to a typically meat-eating creature who is at your mercy for, well, everything, could be quite controversial. To me, it's less controversial than feeding your pooch a bag of low-quality kibble composed mostly of fillers, artificial colors, and preservatives, which doesn't have much meat in it, anyway, but most people don't bat an eye at the person in the big box discount store throwing a 50-pound bag of complete garbage in their cart, then feeding it to their dog for the next month. So I decided to learn more about the vegan diet for dogs, and Karla helped me understand her story. She has fed her Papillon, Chi-chi, and Yorkshire Terrier, Abby, a vegan diet for almost one year.

WM: Can you tell me a bit about your journey to becoming vegan?

Karla: I've been vegan for a few years, and I was vegetarian for a while before that. My reason is a combination of my love for animals and for a healthy, happy, lifestyle.  There's so much information about living vegan, and once I started opening myself up to it, this lifestyle just fell into place.

Karla has two school-aged sons.

WM: Is your whole household vegan?

Karla: I only cook vegan at home, however, my boys live with their father part time, and they do eat meat there.

WM: So what made you decide to feed your dogs a vegan diet?

Karla: Being vegan, I would encourage anyone to eat this way. I hadn't even considered the possibility of switching my pups to a vegan diet until a friend suggested it. I started researching what they can eat and made the switch. I had been under the same impression as many others, that they needed meat to be healthy.

WM: What were your dogs eating before?

Karla: I previously had them eating organic dog food that was free of fillers, etc. The expensive stuff!

WM: Have you noticed any changes in them, health-wise, since you started feeding them a vegan diet?

Karla: Chi-chi has had the most noticeable change. He was a little on the heavy side before, and now he's very healthy. I've also noticed that his coat is healthier, now. As a hair stylist, I believe you can tell a lot about someone's health by their hair and skin. The same goes for our pups!

WM: What research did you do before embarking on this diet for them, and how do you know that they are getting all of the nutrients they need?

Karla: It helped that I'd been eating this way already. I know what I need to be eating in order to get all of my essential amino acids, etc. All I've done is transfer that to Abby and Chi-chi.

Abby and Chi-chi absolutely love their vegan meals.

WM: There is a growing trend to feed dogs a raw diet, and many people will say that dogs are carnivores, so they need meat. They will likely say you're not feeding them what they need. What do you say to that?

Karla: This is also said about us, but the truth is that we and our pups do not need to eat meat to be healthy, and, in fact, we are healthier with a plant-based diet. My dogs love their plant-based lifestyle. They did not get as excited as they do now when they were eating the old stuff!

WM: They do get excited. I notice a huge difference in a dog's poop depending on the diet, and I see a lot of dog poop. With few exceptions, the lower the quality of dog food, the softer and stinkier the poop. I notice that Chi-chi and Abby's poop is reflective of what you are feeding them. It's a bit seedy, and is firm, and not very stinky. I noticed a change in my own poop when I transitioned to a vegan-based diet, too. Sorry to have to go there, but poop is a big deal for dog owners. What do you notice about their poop?

Karla: Just like with humans, poo is a huge indicator of the health of our pet. Initially, they were going more than normal, and so did I when I switched to a vegan diet. This is due to our bodies' ridding of everything that has built up. Once this adjustment was made, I noticed that they go pretty quickly after a meal, and there's not much of a smell to it. I've also noticed that their urine is odorless, now (I have pee pad pups).

WM: I noticed that about their urine, too. I take care of a few "pee pad pups," and your place isn't as stinky. I hardly notice it. How did you figure out how to make your own food for them?

Karla: Initially, I started following recipes online. There's a great one on the PETA web site.

WM: Do you always feed them the same recipe, or do you switch things up?

Karla: I switch it up, now, because they eat pretty much what we eat (other than what's toxic or poison for them). Even when I switch up their food, there are no issues with their bowel. Switching it up is a wonderful treat for them and for us. They're much happier.

WM: Will you share their favorite recipe with us?

Karla: I'd love to!

WM: How large are the batches you make, and how long does it keep?

Sometimes Abby and Chi-chi's homemade vegan food makes me hungry. I can't say that about canned food or kibble.

Karla: I make a mixture of quinoa and beans at the beginning of the week and typically just add the rest to it as I feed them. They're eating the majority of their fruits and veggies raw, at this point, so I just cut those up nice and small and mix them in. If I'm heading out of town, I'll make a decent batch of everything for my amazing pet sitter to give them, and that can last in the fridge for up to a week.

WM: Thanks for the compliment! So what about cost? How does this vegan dog food compare to feeding a high-quality kibble?

Karla: Oh, it's cheap! I get a large amount of fruits and veggies at the local farmers' market weekly, spending around $30 for the whole family. Hemp protein is $15 for a few-months supply, and quinoa–the most expensive out of it all–costs me about $5 per week. They live a healthier life, costing me less, as well.

WM: That's great. Thank you so much for sharing your story.

•

I know Karla to be a loving, responsible pet owner, and Abby and Chi-Chi are happy and healthy. Their breath doesn't stink, and I know, because I'm all about pooch kisses! Their coats are some of the softest I've felt. They are full of energy, a healthy weight, and always eager for meal time. From what I've observed, the vegan diet is working well for them and definitely deserves further exploration. I plan to try Abby & Chi-chi's Vegan Dog Food recipe and see if my picky pooch will go for it.

Dogs do not require meat. They require protein. Though meat-based foods are the most common source of that protein, it is not the only source. Dogs can get their protein from beans, quinoa, etc. We often become so focused on the source of the nutrients that we forget about the nutrients, themselves. The key factor in any diet is that it provides the needed nutrients. Dogs can have their needs met through a vegetarian or vegan diet.

As for longevity, we know that vegetarian and vegan dogs live as long or longer than their meat-eating counterparts, as long as the diet is meeting their nutritional needs. They benefit from good health and typically don't ingest as many preservatives and contaminants, so they are usually quite healthy. Most research says that a nutrient-rich, plant-based diet is a good long term choice for dogs. Dogs with certain ailments such as allergies can often find relief in a vegetarian diet, so those dogs definitely see their quality and length of life improve.  

There is such a wide variety of diet choices for our dogs, and pet owners have very strong opinions about the diet they choose to feed their pet. Have you tried feeding your dog a vegan diet? What do you think about dogs going vegan?

This article by me appeared in its original form in November 2013 on Hybrid Rasta Mama, a blog to which I contribute regularly, and has been reprinted with minor changes with permission. 

Please hop on over to Hybrid Rasta Mama and check out my December 2013 article, Veterinary Acupuncture for Prevention and Treatment.

saving a turkey: our first vegetarian Thanksgiving

I am thankful that this year we are having two Thanksgiving celebrations. One with our immediate family on Thanksgiving, and another out of town on Friday with our orphan family–the family of friends we had Thanksgiving with for years and years before we moved and had kids. 

It is only because of that second Thanksgiving (which will be traditional in terms of food, if not participants) that my family half-heartedly agreed to indulge me in our first vegetarian Thanksgiving (I didn't push them so far as to go vegan). This is a holiday miracle because my husband is the most traditional person I know. He wants Thanksgiving to be exactly as he had it as a child. I was shocked enough that he allowed me to add a couple of southwestern style dishes to our fare when we moved to Arizona, but to abandon the turkey? I never thought it would happen. But with the promise of a 21-pound turkey on Friday, it has.

Everyone asks me what we're doing "in place of the turkey." I think they mean, "as a main dish." I get it. The whole thing is quite bewildering to most. I'm up to my shenanigans, again. So whatrwehavin'?

This is what we're making "in place of the turkey." food photo source: vegetariantimes.com

We thumbed the pages of our November issue of Vegetarian Times magazine and came up with:

our menu

winter squash pot pie with swiss chard and chickpeas

green beans and radishes braised in orange juice

mashed parsnips with crispy parsnip ribbons

creamed spinach

chocolate cherry semifreddo

These recipes are all new to us, and we're super excited to spend the day cooking together as a family and saving a turkey. 

If you like that idea, and you really want to be a hero (it works even if you've already got the turkey on the oven), you can adopt a turkey through Farm Sanctuary. It's a fantastic program called Farm Sanctuary's Adopt a Turkey Project. They say:

For a one-time donation gift of just $30, anyone can sponsor a turkey who lives at one of our three shelters. As a turkey sponsor, you will receive a special Adopt a Turkey certificate with a color photo of and fun details about your new friend.

Check out their 2013 video to get to know the adoptable turkeys:

Aren't they sweet?

And to keep you in the save-a-turkey spirit, here is the chant Po (my first-grader) did in music class: 

a turkey named Burt thought he'd make up a dance

and he'd dance for the king and the queen

if he did a good job, and they liked it a lot

they wouldn't eat him, cause that would be mean

he went 

slide–close, slide–close

flap your wings and touch your toes

he went 

slide–close, slide–close

shake your tail and wiggle your nose

a turkey named Burt thought he'd make up a dance

and he'd dance for the king and the queen

if he did a good job, and they liked it a lot

they wouldn't eat him, cause that would be mean

yeah!

Yeah. Happy Thanksgiving!

the day I purged the fridge: mixed bean and quinoa hodgepodge

I'll throw a disclaimer out right away: I'm not a chef. I'm not a food photographer. This is not turning into a food blog. What this is is a yummy recipe-ish concoction that I threw together one day with stuff left over in the fridge, and it has become a staple in our house. It's animal-friendly (vegan) in the way that it doesn't use them, and it's a complete meal. Plus, it's flexible and easy, so if you're a not-chef, like me, you can swing it. Here goes...

mixed bean and quinoa hodgepodge

serves any number of people over any number of days, depending on how much you want to eat

stuff you need (all approximate)

• 1 cup quinoa

• 2 cups vegetable broth

• 1 lb organic green beans

• 1 lb/1 can dark kidney beans

• 1 lb/1 can garbanzo beans

• 1/2 pound cooked lentils

• 3/4 cup Italian-ish dressing of your choice (You can make your own, or I like Trader Joe's or Annie's Naturals Tuscan Italian varieties.)

what you do with that stuff

Cook the quinoa in the vegetable broth (you can also use water, but vegetable broth will provide more flavor, plus, it's easy to make), covered, until the liquid is absorbed (15-20 minutes), then cool.

Discard the ends of the green beans and snap each bean into thirds. Steam slightly in a steamer basket or blanch (you still want them to be crunchy), then cool.

Cook the beans, unless you're using cans (I usually use organic canned beans for convenience). Feel free to substitute any type of bean you like.

Cook the lentils, if necessary (I LOVE the packaged lentils at Trader Joe's...you can find them in the veggie section. Much easier.)

Once everything has cooled, stir all ingredients together in large mixing bowl.

Feel free to play with the proportions to suit your dietary, taste, or texture preferences.  It keeps nicely in the fridge, so I make this big batch so I can have something to easily grab for lunches over several days. It's quite filling! The rest of my family loves this as a side dish. I sometimes eat it as-is, but I often use it as my base and add different combinations of things I have around. Some of my favorite additions:

• avocado and beets

• pecans and raisins

• almonds and apples

• over a bed of your favorite cooked greens

• over your favorite lettuce

• with a side of roasted fennel (another of my staples)

I probably would have fallen of the vegan wagon a lot more often had I not been able to reach for this nutritionally-balanced quick meal, so I'm sure to have some on hand about every-other week so that I can just grab a scoop when I'm ravenous.