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By Judyvein Cheng, CPCN, BRNC
Certified pet nutritionist in Singapore
QUICK ANSWER
Festive seasons mean food everywhere, so plan something special for your dog too. Here's a savoury main and a frozen dessert, both made from simple whole foods: a hearty beef stew and frosty banana bites. Remember, these are treats, not meals.
Christmas, Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, Deepavali: whatever we celebrate, there's always plenty of food around. While you're planning the menu for your guests, why not plan a little main course and dessert for your dog as well?
Choose organic ingredients whenever possible, including the meat, vegetables and fruit, and wash produce well.
Recipe 1: Hearty festive beef stew
Ingredients:
- 450g (1lb) stewing beef
- ½ cup beef liver
- ¼ cup cabbage
- ¼ cup turnip or squash
- ¼ cup carrots
- ¼ cup spinach
Chop the beef and liver into bite-sized pieces, and roughly chop the vegetables.
Put everything into a slow cooker and add just enough water to cover. For extra flavour, use bone broth instead of some of the water.
Cook on low for 6–8 hours, until everything is tender.
Lift out the vegetables, purée them to a baby-food consistency, then stir them back into the stew. Dogs can't break down plant cell walls well on their own, so puréeing helps them absorb the nutrients.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days, or portion and freeze.
To serve: give it on its own, or spoon a portion over your dog's usual meal. Serve warm, not hot.
A note on the liver: this stew is a treat, not a meal, and it's rich in liver. If you feed it, take the extra liver and meat into account in your dog's diet that day, especially if you feed a balanced raw or fresh diet. Read more in why organ meat matters.
Recipe 2: Frosty banana bites
Ingredients:
- 2 large bananas, unripe or barely ripe. Riper bananas have more sugar and less fibre and vitamins.
- ½ cup plain kefir (or reconstituted freeze-dried goat milk)
- ¼ cup blueberries
Peel the bananas and cut them into thick rings.
Scoop out the centre of each ring to make little banana "donuts".
Blend the banana centres with the blueberries and kefir. If it's too thick, add a little more kefir or water.
Lay the rings on a tray, fill the centres with the blended mix, and freeze.
Once frozen, move them to an airtight container. They keep in the freezer for several weeks.
To serve: straight from the freezer, or add one or two on top of a meal.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use other meats in the stew?
Yes. Lamb, chicken or pork work too. Just keep it plain, with no onion, garlic powder, salt or seasoning.
Can my cat have these?
The stew, in small amounts, yes. Cats need very little fruit, so skip the banana bites.
Which festive foods should my dog avoid?
Chocolate, grapes and raisins, onions, alcohol, and anything heavily salted, spiced or fried. See what to do if your dog eats chocolate.
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This article is for educational purposes and isn't a substitute for veterinary care. If you're concerned about your pet's health, please seek professional advice.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Judyvein Cheng, CPCN, BRNC
Judyvein is a Certified Professional Canine Nutritionist and Certified Raw Nutrition Coach for Cats & Dogs, and the founder of JOOF Holistic Pet. Her journey began with her Frenchie, Wangcai, and today she helps pet parents in Singapore take a root-cause approach to their pets' health.
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