National Cook For Your Pets Day is a fun celebration recognized across the country on November 1st, encouraging pet owners to showcase their culinary skills while ensuring their furry companions receive quality homemade meals. By preparing wholesome dishes at home, you take control of the ingredients that go into your pet’s diet, helping them maintain optimal health and happiness. Research from veterinarians and animal nutrition experts shows that homemade meals, when properly balanced, can support better digestion, promote a healthier coat, and reduce the risk of obesity-related issues. This special day not only highlights the importance of nutritional choices but also fosters stronger bonds between pets and their families. Whether you’re baking biscuits for your dog or cooking up a nutritious stew for your cat, observing National Cook For Your Pets Day is a fun, meaningful way to show your furry friends just how much you care and love them.

The formal holiday season begins in November. Many individuals are beginning to organize and get ready for those mouthwatering seasonal cuisine as Thanksgiving approaches. Naturally, once you start cooking, your animal friend will be quite attentive. Our animal friends are always quite, quite fascinated in anything we are creating or eating. Try creating something for your pet. There are many things you can create or publish even although there are undoubtedly plenty of unsafe ones. Actually, Cook For Your Pets Day falls on November 1st! This is a terrific time to go over some of the nuances of cooking for your pet even though we’re fairly sure your pet would be more than delighted for you to prepare any day. See below as a local Weld County, CO veterinarian provides some local perspective on this.

What Are Safe Foods For Pets?

Every kind of animal is unique, so you will want to get specific advice from your veterinarian. This may also change as your furry friend ages and/or experiences changes in their health. For example, you wouldn’t want to feed fish to a feline with thyroid problems, since the iodine wouldn’t be good for her.

Having said all that, most kinds of meat, fish, or poultry are good for dogs and cats as long as they are boiled and unseasoned. There are a few caveats, though.

• Always remove the skin and fat.
• Organ meats, such as kidney and liver, should be offered sparingly. These are okay once in a while, but too much could cause vitamin A toxicity.
• Foods heavy in fat or salt, such sausage and bacon, should also be limited. ( Sorry, Fido!)
• Only provide boneless meat. Cooked bones get rather brittle and can break off into jagged bits that are extremely dangerous for pets to swallow.

Your pet’s diet should include other components besides meat. Via their prey, even hypercarnivores pick remnants of other meals. Along with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, a balanced diet should have the right ratios of fat, protein, and water.

Here is a partial inventory of some of the safe fruits and veggies:

• Apples
• Bananas
• Blackberries
• Blueberries
• Cantaloupe
• Carrots
• Cranberries
• Cucumbers
• Kiwis
• Mangoes
• Oranges
• Peas
• Pears
• Pineapple
• Pumpkin
• raspberries
• spinach
• Strawberries
• Sweet Potato
• Watermelon

Before you feed your pet any fruits or vegetables, always remove seeds and pips. Some might need to be shredded or sliced into small bits. Never give your furry pal anything without verifying that it’s safe.

Pets can also have certain other items, including dairy. Cheese, eggs, plain yogurt, and cottage cheese are fine, but in small amounts. Your furry friend can also have popcorn, rice, peanuts, and peanut butter, though you’ll need to make sure it doesn’t contain xylitol (birch sugar.)

Ask your Weld County, CO vet for more information.

Finding Recipes For Your Pet

There are plenty of recipes for pet food and treats. However, it’s important to choose one that is appropriate for your furry buddy. What is suitable for a St. Bernard will not be right for a Chihuahua! Discuss your pet’s dietary requirements with your veterinarian: it’s important to have a clear picture of their needs. You’ll also need to make sure the recipes pass muster with your vet.

Generally, you’d want something that is based on meat. Cooked, unseasoned meat, fish, or poultry should form the bulk of both Fluffy and Fido’s diets.

What Foods Are Not Safe For Dogs?

Many people foods are dangerous to our four-legged companions. Garlic, onions, scallions, and chives are all unsafe. In general, anything with a bulb should be considered toxic to your pet. Other dangerous foods include chocolate; alcohol; pitted fruits; nuts; caffeine; and grapes, currants, or raisins. Raw meat, dough, and yeast are also unsafe, as is meat on the bone, as mentioned above.

Certain foods are only safe in small amounts. Organ meats, like liver and kidney, fall into this category, as mentioned above. Things like broccoli and cauliflower also fall into this category, as they can cause gas.

Ask your Weld County, CO vet for more specific information on your pet’s diet and care needs.

Can I Make My Dog Treats?

If we were able to ask Fido what his absolute favorite things are, it’s probably pretty safe to say that treats would be at—or at least near—the top of the list. National Cook For Your Pets Day offers a perfect opportunity to show your furry friend some extra love with homemade snacks. Treats are actually quite beneficial for our furry friends. They are not only great for bonding, but also help with training, help Fido feel safe and loved, and generally just get that cute tail going.

There are tons of recipes online. These all start with some kind of base. Some options include natural peanut butter; olive or wheat germ oil; cheese; bacon bits; whole-wheat flour; eggs; liver powder; oatmeal; ripe bananas; or pureed pumpkin. You can also use minced meat, plain yogurt, or sodium-free broth. Many types of baby food are also fine, but you will need to check the label to make sure that it doesn’t contain anything unsafe, such as raisins, garlic, or onions. You can also mix and match and try different combinations. To customize your furry friend’s snacks. Add tail-waggers like shredded deli meat, bits of kibble, bacon bits, egg, and, of course, cheese. Fido will also benefit from certain fruits and veggies.

Here are a few options:

• Pumpkin Yums: For this one, you would mix a can of pureed pumpkin with some natural peanut butter, an egg, and whole-wheat flour. Shape into balls, or use a dog-treat maker to form little bones. Cook for about 15-20 minutes at 350, or until you get the desired crunchiness level.
• Turkey Bites: Combine plain, boneless turkey with cheese, eggs, baby food, and safe fruits or veggies. Put it in a food processor and blend it all, then divide into small portions. Bake for a half hour at 375.
• Simple Biscuit: For this one, you would combine whole-wheat flour with eggs and olive oil for the base. Then, you can add extras, like kibble or bacon bits. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
• Chicken Bites: Mix canned chicken with shredded cheese, bacon bits, whole-wheat flour, and sodium-free chicken broth in a blender or food processor. Divide into small portions, and bake for 15 minutes at 350.

National Cook For Your Pets Day 2025: Enhancing Pet Health with Homemade Meals

How frequently should homemade meals replace commercial food?

Commercial diets are specifically balanced for a pet’s nutritional requirements. Homemade meals work well as an occasional treat or supplement. Ensuring that homemade foods provide complete nutrients demands careful planning and, at times, veterinary guidance. Introducing homemade meals once or twice a week can be beneficial, though daily use requires proper formulation to avoid potential deficits in vitamins, minerals, and protein. Always remove bones, balance meat with appropriate produce, and watch out for salt or fat content. Close collaboration with a veterinarian ensures that homemade options remain safe and nutritionally adequate for a dog or cat.

What should you do if your pet refuses homemade food?

If your pet refuses homemade food, it’s advisable to first ensure the ingredients are safe and appealing, as some pets can be picky. Gradually introduce new foods mixed with their usual meals to help them adjust. If refusal persists, consult your veterinarian to rule out underlying health issues or dietary incompatibilities. It’s also crucial to confirm that the food’s texture and temperature are suitable, as these factors can significantly impact your pet’s willingness to eat homemade meals.

Are there recipes specifically for cats?

Yes, cats do have recipes tailored to their nutritional needs. Felines are obligate carnivores, requiring diets based primarily on high-quality proteins. Homemade meals often emphasize cooked, unseasoned meats or fish, with bones fully removed. Some cat-friendly vegetables, including carrots and peas, may be added in small amounts for balanced nutrition. Avoid onions, garlic, and excessive salt. Organ meats should be limited to occasional treats due to potential vitamin A toxicity. Eggs or small portions of dairy can also be included if tolerated. Consultation with a veterinarian ensures that any homemade meal aligns with a cat’s current health profile and dietary requirements.

What is the history of pet food and cooking for pets?

Historically, pet food emerged commercially in the late 19th century, driven by increased awareness of animal nutrition. Before this, pets typically consumed household scraps and leftovers. In 1860, James Spratt introduced the first manufactured dog biscuit in England, quickly spreading to the U.S. market. By the mid-20th century, canned and dry pet foods gained popularity, influenced by advances in veterinary science emphasizing balanced nutrition. Recently, cooking for pets at home has become popular, reflecting modern trends toward healthier, natural diets. Pet owners increasingly prefer homemade recipes emphasizing unseasoned meats, fruits, and vegetables tailored to pets’ specific dietary needs.

What are the environmental benefits of cooking for your pet?

Cooking for pets can reduce reliance on heavily packaged commercial foods while supporting responsible sourcing of ingredients from local or sustainable producers. By selecting whole, fresh foods, it becomes simpler to lower transport-related emissions and minimize waste through responsible reuse of safe leftover produce or meats. This approach supports better resource management, since scraps that might otherwise be thrown out can be repurposed into nutritious meals. It can also reduce reliance on preservatives or additives, lessening their potential impact on ecosystems. Ultimately, homemade pet meals may shrink carbon footprints and contribute to landfill reduction.

Make An Appointment At Our Weld County, CO Pet Clinic

Do you have questions about your pet’s diet or care? Contact us, your local Weld County, CO pet hospital, today!