Here are Tips for keeping your pet’s digestive tract healthy:
I always recommend that table scraps not be given as a treat. Human food is full of salt, fat and spices that can upset our four legged friends, especially if they are not used to getting so many rich treats. If your pet is healthy and is used to eating small treats from your table give a similar amount but don’t overdue the table scraps or you and your pet will regret it. If your pet is not used to table scraps give none or a very limited amount. If your pet is on a prescription diet, it is best not to treat with human food. It is better to plan ahead and buy treats or bake your own goodies that can be given in place of Thanksgiving Dinner. At the end of the blog you will find a recipe for 3 Ingredient Pumpkin Peanut butter Meatballs.
What not to feed our pets at Thanksgiving:
1. Bones. Although it seems natural to give your pet bones, bones can harm your pet. NO matter how small. As your pet chews the bone or in excitement swallows it whole it can irritate or rip thru your pet’s intestinal tract or become lodged. Make sure you keep the garbage bag with thanksgiving dinner in it safely out of your pet’s reach.
2. Raw or uncooked turkey
3. Turkey skin
4. This one might surprise you, Cake Batter and Dough. Dough, especially those that contain yeast plus your pet’s body heat can cause the dough to rise in your pet’s stomach. This might cause your pet to vomit and suffer abdominal pain and bloating. And anything that contains raw eggs in it contain salmonella.
5. Beer can cause a fever, rapid heartbeat, seizures, liver damage, or even death.
6. Macadamia nuts.
7. Mushrooms
8. Raw Onions and garlic
9. Sage, Nutmeg
10. No Chocolate
What to consider when buying treats:
Always look at the nutritional value in the treats, treats can be healthy when given in the proper amount and contain the right ingredients. If your pet is on a prescription diet, sometimes placing a small bag of their food in the refrigerator to make it cool can be a special treat for your pet.
Don’t Forget the Water
A common cause for issues with the digestive tract is the failure to drink enough water. Mild dehydration causes water to be withdrawn from the colon, which dehydrates the feces and can cause constipation. It is important to keep clean and filled water bowls during the holiday.
Don’t Forget Exercise
Exercise plays an important role in keeping the digestive tract healthy and strong.
Without exercise, digestive tract issues may arise, such as:
Gastrointestinal problems
Acid reflux
Obesity
Constipation
3 Ingredient Pumpkin Peanut Butter Meatballs
½ Cup of Peanut Butter, Natural if you prefer
1 cup 100% Pure Pumpkin Puree, Canned
1 ¾ cup Brown Rice flour or Whole Wheat Flour or White Flour
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 Degrees Fahrenheit. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
In a large Bowl, mix the peanut butter and pumpkin. Stir in the Flour a little at a time until the dough no longer appears sticky.
Grease your hands with butter or cooking spray and shape a small amount of dough into a 1 inch ball and place on the cookie sheet. Another option is to roll out the dough between two sheets of parchment paper until ¼ inch thick. Then use cookie cutters to cut the dough in to whatever shape you wish.
Bake at 350 Degrees Fahrenheit for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden. Let cool completely, there is no egg in this recipe to bind the meatballs, it will be important to let them cool completely to retain their shape.
Store in an air tight container or freeze for up to several months
