It’s finally National Cook For Your Pets Day! It’s probably a safe bet to say that your pet will enjoy some home-cooked food. However, there are both pros and cons to cooking for your furry friend. A vet discusses cooking for your pet below.

Pros

Being able to monitor and ensure the quality of your furry buddy’s food is one benefit to cooking for your pet. This can also be a good option for animals that have allergies and/or specific nutritional requirements. And you can even customize your pet’s food to suit their tastes.

Cons

On the other hand, it can be tricky to figure out the percentages of fat, protein, and specific nutrients yourself. This may not sound like a big deal: after all, if you have a dog, he’ll probably happily chomp down whatever you put in front of him. Still, pets have very specific nutritional requirements. Dogs need about 40 essential nutrients, and each one fulfills a unique need. Likewise, cats also have specific needs, and so do smaller pets. Any imbalances can lead to nutritional deficiencies, which can develop into medical problems. Another issue is that people often turn to recipes found on the internet, which may not be good for their pets. Our advice? Discuss your pet’s dietary needs with your vet, along with any concerns about homemade food.

Unsafe Foods

Unsafe foods are one of the biggest things to be aware of since there are many things that are harmful to our four-legged friends. Every animal has their own list of unsafe foods, but there are some things that are bad for just about all of them. That list includes garlic, caffeine, chocolate; raw dough or yeast; alcohol; and anything that contains xylitol and/or a lot of sugar, salt, or fat. If you have a dog or cat, you’ll also need to add raisins, grapes, and currants, as well as meat on the bone, pitted fruits, and avocados. Ask your vet for more information.

Treats

There are a lot of grey areas involved when cooking your pet’s regular meals. Treats are a bit safer to work with. There are lots of great recipes online. You may even want to try your hand at making your own. The main thing to remember is to make sure you’re sticking to ingredients you know are safe for your four-legged pal. Do plenty of research, and ask your vet for specific advice. As your local animal clinic, we’re here for you. Call us anytime!