People Food for Pets!

October 13, 2020

We love our fur babies and we know you want what’s best for them. So, we get it that when it comes to their meals, that brown kibble can be less than exciting. Did you know that there are plenty of “human” foods your pets can enjoy, too? And, of course, there are plenty of people foods that your pets should stay away from, too! Whether you’re giving a treat or adding a meal supplement, you’ll find plenty of healthy and fun ways to mix in a bit of fresh human goodies to your pet’s diet. 

Supplement Your Pet’s Food

First thing’s first: food your dog cannot eat. Some foods are outright poisonous to dogs: Grapes, chocolate, garlic, onions, and macadamia nuts should never be given to canine cuties under any circumstances. Before you add anything into your pet’s diet, we recommend double-checking its safety quotient with trusted sources, like the ASPCA and the Humane Society websites.

That said, supplementing your pet’s diet with fresh fruits, veggies, and protein can be seriously beneficial for their health! Green beans, blueberries, pumpkin, carrots, sliced apples, and even air-popped popcorn can be yummy and enticing treats for your pup with added fiber and vitamin benefits. So, whether you’re sharing an afternoon snack of baby carrots or adding a bit of canned pumpkin to kibble to promote healthy digestion, you can feel good about it.

We also love replacing certain treats with “human” alternatives for a bit of excitement. Instead of tossing your pup a milk bone as a reward, fresh blueberries can be an enticing alternative. Of course, just as with humans, moderation is key. The last thing you want is to overload your furry friend on sugar and risk a tummy ache.

A good rule of thumb is two to four blueberries for every 10 pounds of body weight per day. You can also crush them between your fingers to minimize the choking hazard if your pooch is on the smaller side. 

Homemade Treats Your Pets Will Flip For

Now, if you want to kick things up a notch and make your pet some tasty homemade treats, we’ve got a few tried and true recipes that Rover and Mittens are sure to love. 

Of course, peanut butter dog treats are a classic choice and we don’t know a single dog who doesn’t absolutely go crazy for peanut butter. And, they’re extremely simple to make with this recipe from Chungah at Damn Delicious. You simply mix whole wheat flour, pumpkin puree, peanut butter and eggs, roll, and cut the dough. And the best part is that you know exactly what’s in them! We love the little bone cookie cutter Chungah uses, but we don’t think your pup will mind the scoop and drop variety! These treats make for an excellent and thoughtful present for a new pet parent, too. 

Cat lovers, we haven’t forgotten about you. Making cat treats is super simple when you know the right ratios. Whether Whiskers flips for salmon or chicken, you’re covered with this mix-and-match treat recipe. Use what you have and even the pickiest of felines are sure to be excited about the treat! And you can simplify the entire process with this three-ingredient salmon cat treat recipe. 

Party Pup-Cakes

Special occasions like birthdays, gotcha days, and days when you have a bit of extra time on your hands—zero judgment here—call for something a little extra special for your four-legged friends. Enter, the dog cake. That’s right. Pup-cakes will make every tail in your house wag, and did we mention they create the perfect picture opportunity?

And of course, because we know your pup’s palette is a very personal thing, we’ve found tons of pup-cake flavor options, from bacon to grain-free fruit cake. And there’s a kitty-friendly cake version, as well!

Chef’s Kitchens in Southshore

Whip up a treat for you and your furry friends in your very own gourmet kitchen in Southshore. You’ll love our gourmet kitchen options, with kitchen islands, tons of storage and cabinet space, and walk-in pantries in the dozens of floor plans offered from our top Colorado builders, Richmond American, Taylor Morrison, and Toll Brothers, starting in the $400s. After a snack, get out an enjoy a walk with the pup on our miles of trails and direct access to the stunning 820-acre Aurora Reservoir.