5 Safe Homemade Recipes For Rescue Pets

If you’ve just become a dog or cat hero by adopting a rescue pet, congratulations! Not only did you make a profound difference in a rescue pet’s life, but you now have a furry bestie to bond with and spoil!

In those first few days, you’ll want to do all you can to help your new pal feel at home. Remember that your new canine furiend is getting used to a lot! A new home, new people, possibly new animals, and new food too! Likely, their stomach is in knots at what could be in store, as they’ve had so many changes already. Preparing delicious, homemade meals and treats could just be the thing to make them feel welcome and safe, and get their tummies back on track.

We are celebrating National Feed a Rescue Pet Week this July 22^nd to 28^th by showcasing 5 pawsome homemade recipes that are easy to prepare, and are sure to get your new furiend munching! 

A bland chicken and rice meal will seem like a gourmet feast for your new pup or kitty. This standard recipe is easy on the tummy and will be sure to get your pet eating, no matter how nervous they may feel.

Ingredients:

• 1 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• 1 cup white rice

• 2 ½ cups of water

• 1 cup sliced carrots

• Bring water to a boil in a pot.

• Add chicken, rice and carrots, and continue boiling for about 15 minutes.

• Check chicken with a meat thermometer or cut open to ensure it is fully cooked. Once chicken and rice are cooked through, take off heat and let stand.

• Once cooled, serve to your smiling pooch!

There’s nothing quite as nourishing as a hearty stew, and this recipe delivers with delicious ingredients your dog or cat will go nuts for!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. beef cut up for stew

• ¼ flour

• 3 tbsp. vegetable oil

• 1 large potato, diced

• ½ cup cut green beans or peas

• 1 medium carrot, sliced

• 1 cup water

Directions:

• Slice stew meat into smaller pieces, then coat with flour.

• In a large pot, heat oil on medium heat, then add beef in batches. Brown beef on all sides, about 4-5 minutes. Add oil between batches as needed.

• Add all cooked beef to pot, then add potatoes, green beans, carrots and water.

• Cook until vegetables are tender, about 10-15 minutes.

• Cool, then serve! 
  
  

For an anxious dog, this delicious recipe not only tastes great, but the tryptophan in turkey and soothing pumpkin work together to help calm down an upset digestive system or an anxious mind.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups water

• 1 ½ lb. brown rice

• 1 teaspoon olive oil

• 1 lb. ground turkey

• ½ cup spinach, chopped

• ½ cup canned pumpkin puree, not pie filling                                      

Directions:

• Cook rice in water in a large pot according to rice directions. Set aside.

• Heat olive oil in skillet on medium heat and cook ground turkey, breaking apart as it cooks.

• Once turkey is done, stir in rice, spinach, and pumpkin for 3 to 5 minutes until spinach has wilted.

• Let cool completely, then serve!

Whether for breakfast or just a treat, this parfait features nourishing oatmeal, blueberries for some healthy antioxidants and yogurt for a dash of probiotics. This recipe is for the dog in your life. If you have a kitty, omit the peanut butter for a blueberry oatmeal parfait. 

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup plain non-fat yogurt

• ¼ cup creamy peanut butter (make sure it is xylitol free!)

• ¼ cup cooked, plain oatmeal

• ¼ cup blueberries + more for topping

Directions:

• Mix yogurt and peanut butter together, then set aside.

• Mix ¼ cup blueberries and oatmeal together.

• In a bowl or mug, spoon in half of the peanut butter mix. Then, layer on the oatmeal mix, then spoon on the rest of the peanut butter mix.

• Top with blueberries. 

Ingredients:

• ½ banana

• 3 strawberries

• ½ cup unsweetened coconut milk

Directions:

• Add all ingredients to blender.

• Mix until smooth.

• Pour into mug or bowl, top with a strawberry slice if desired. Serve!

These recipes are furtastic to help quell a nervous or upset stomach, to help transition your new pet to new foods, and to show them they will be living the good life from now on! Most of these recipes make enough for several meals, but leftovers can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.

Be sure to watch your portion sizes for your pet, and use these recipes as treats rather than routine meals. If you would like to provide homecooked meals often, talk with your veterinarian to ensure you are meeting all of their nutritional needs. 

With these tasty creations, your dog or cat will surely be begging for more!