A special meal for your doggy...

Dogs are a very important part of our life.

Not only do we see them more commonly in shops and restaurants, but we have the pleasure of spotting them in the streets and parks or beaches.

If we are very lucky, however, we have the honour of sharing a roof with one or more dogs, who love us and adore us almost as much as they love their food.

The following recipe is for your dogs to enjoy!

It is going to taste delicious for more than just the palate, but for their health too!

In fact, while dogs are mostly carnivore, they do benefit from vegetables and fats too and they can even consume some carbohydrates, however we ought to keep carbs low, as they can lead to blood full of sugar and insulin which is bad for dogs and humans.

In this recipe I have put some broccoli, as they can lower your dog’s risk of cancer. Moreover, broccoli is full of gut-friendly fiber, vitamins, antioxidants, and it is also an anti-inflammatory.

Another great vegetable, which is extremely beneficial to dogs, is sweet potatoes, which is a natural anti-inflammatory, potassium (which helps nerves and muscles to communicate to each other), vitamin C, vitamin A, magnesium and even more! What’s not to like?

Sardines in a dog’s diet are great because they contain omega 3 and vitamin D, which can prevent cancer. Sardines also have antioxidants and coenzyme Q10, which help your dog to live longer.

There are more antioxidants in eggs, which can help prevent liver disease, heart disease and neurological disorders. Eggs are also full of proteins, which, like the turkey, will keep our dogs fuller for longer.

Flaxseed meal (ground Flaxseed) has Omega 3 fatty acids, anti-inflammatory, it helps to lower blood pressure, it improves kidney function and helps to keep skin and coat healthy. Moreover, if your dog has arthritis, flaxseed meal can help to ease its symptoms.

As an extra to this recipe, why not get the kids involved in preparing this lovely meal for your dog?

Getting the kids to help, or to even prepare it themselves, can educate children about how good and healthy food is important for our dogs too. They will get to do something for the dog that does not involve being around our pooches, especially if the kids are a little over enthusiastic around dogs, and will give the dogs a break from the children.

Moreover, because the children will be preparing the meal and, possibly, giving it to them, the dogs will smell the scent of the children in the food and bowl, which can help strengthen the bond between them.

It is a win all around!

Serves: 1 medium to large dog of about 18 – 20kg

Prepare: 10 minutes

Cook: 25 minutes

200gr Turkey breast (if cooked, please make sure all the bones are removed)

50gr sweet potatoes, steamed

50gr broccoli, steamed

1 small, boiled egg

15gr sardines, canned in water (Essential Waitrose & Partners)

15gr flaxseed meal (Waitrose & Partners – Linwoods)

1. Bring water to a gentle boil, add the turkey breast, reduce the heat to low and boil the turkey for 20-25 minutes until the turkey is cooked through.
2. Chop the sweet potatoes into small cubes and steam for about 20 minutes or until soft
3. Chop the broccoli and steam for 5 to 10 minutes, until tender but still a little ‘crunch’ left in them
4. Boil the egg for 10 to 15 minutes
5. Leave the turkey, sweet potatoes, broccoli and eggs to cool down
6. Put the sardines into the dog’s bowl and add all the other ingredients
7. Add the flaxseeds all over

• References on canine nutrition:
  Conor Brady
  Dr Karen Backer
  Rodney Habib

Author: Debby Lucken, dog behaviourist and dog trainer in Poole, Dorset. She is also the founder of Kids Around Dogs, which is an association of professionals who specialize in helping kids and dogs to live safely and happily together. www.kidsarounddogs.co.uk